Pastor Howard Tello
I have a definite major purpose in life and having been loved, accepted and forgiven by God, I’m inspired to be a great communicator of human thought, so as to inspire the minds of men and women to yearn for God with all their hearts, minds, and souls, so that they reach their fullest human potential, and impact the lives of all those they come in contact with.
About Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. Seventh-day Adventist members seek to enhance the quality of life for people everywhere by introducing them to the hope found in Jesus Christ, and His imminent return.
Adventists believe a Trinity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—make up one God. They made salvation possible when Jesus, the Son, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem and lived a sinless life in accordance with the Father’s will. When Jesus was crucified for the sins of the people of the world and arose from the dead on the third day, victory was won for everyone.
When He returned to heaven following the resurrection, Jesus left the Holy Spirit to serve as our Comforter and Counselor. He promises to return to earth a second time to complete His plan of salvation and take His people to heaven. Adventists are among the believers who look forward to that day.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.
Our Beginning
The Blue Mountain Valley church members held their first meeting in the newly constructed edifice on Sabbath, September 19, 1970.
The plans for this facility were drawn up by the former Pastor E. D. C. Richardson, who initiated the construction in the fall of 1968. The entire congregation shared in the erection of this beautiful place of worship and many of their friends donated their time and service.
Clarence Boyd was the local general foreman of the project and Milton Krantz was in charge of the general construction. Others who shared in the responsibility for construction were: Bruce Smith and Gene Wentland, electrical and public address system; Lorain Davis, heating; Jake Wagner, Jim Wagner and Horace Shaw were in charge of landscaping. The women of the church performed most of the painting and exterior work and also provided hearty meals for the work crew.
Originally posted in the Gleaner, October 12, 1970 by Pastor J.D. Bolejack
Pastor J. D. Bolejack united his efforts with the church on September 1, 1969, and with his leadership the church was completed and opened for use. The cost of the project totals $145,000 and will seat 480 with an additional 80 in the Youth Chapel.