150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADVENTIST CHURCH COMMEMORATED AT FORT PIERCE

by Richard Cecere
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” These familiar words rang clear May 17 and 18 as Fort Pierce, Fla., Church members commemorated the 150th anniversary of the official formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Bernie Andersen, vice chair of Adventist Heritage Ministry’s Historic Adventist Village Site Committee in Battle Creek, Mich., was the guest speaker.
The weekend began Friday morning at James E. Sampson Memorial School where students listened as Andersen shared the story of Ophelia Edson pleading with her father, Hiram, to let her be baptized, even though it was the dead of winter. He encouraged the children, “When God speaks to your heart, respond just then.”
Friday evening, Andersen led those gathered at the church through some of James and Ellen White’s favorite hymns, interspersed with stories. “The singing was absolutely amazing,” he testified.
Sabbath morning, Andersen’s topic, “The Heir,” linked the origins of the Advent movement to the period of the Reformation, clearly showing how the Seventh-day Adventist Church was raised up by God to continue the work begun during that incredible period of history.
In the afternoon, Andersen shared “Stories of the Pioneers,” recounting fascinating experiences of those instrumental in establishing the Advent Church. The weekend closed with the award-winning film, Meet Hiram Edson, in which events just before and after the Great Disappointment of 1844 were recreated.
Rodney Sanders, a frequent visitor to Fort Pierce Church, said, “I discovered a great deal about Adventist history and the dedication of pioneers like James and Ellen White. I look forward to joining this church and growing in my faith.”
More information about Adventist Heritage Ministry is online: www.AdventistHeritage.org