September 1, 1993 - 12:00pm - Editors

African-American clergy and lay people from nine churches in Southeastern California Conference met in July and voted (183-26) to pursue organizing a black or “regional” conference in the Pacific Union Conference territory. The session was attended by the churches’ pastoral staffs, church board members and congregational delegates at large. Church business meeting discussions are planned for this fall in preparation for a formal request to the Pacific Union Conference executive committee for formation of a new conference.

The move toward a black conference is not seen by its supporters as a step backward in terms of race relations. “We are already separated as evidenced by the fact that our churches are teaming up in ethnic groups,” stated Cleveland Hobdy, pastor of the Mt. Rubidoux, California, congregation. “We are merely making the separation beneficial for the evangelizing of African-Americans and other minorities.” Hobdy cited differences over priorities in Southeastern:

Our conference has established ‘Baby Boomer’ retention, gender inclusion, and pastoral evaluations as the three top priorities, while African-Americans in the conference desire to address evangelism, strategic planning and youth ministry. Our burning desire is to finish the work.

Although the envisioned conference would initially be based in Southeastern California Conference, it would encompass the Pacific Union Conference and be open to any African-American or other ethnic Adventist congregations that desire to join. “The regional conference concept was authorized by the General Conference in 1944 as a viable vehicle for evangelizing African-Americans in North America,” states Hobdy.