by Eda Visser

Eda and Conrad Visser. (Photo: Claude Visser)

Conrad Visser and Eda Bertolo were born and raised in Argentina, South America. They met at River Plate Adventist College where Conrad graduated with a theology degree in 1951. After a wedding on March 13, 1952, they taught at J.B. Alberti Academy in the Northern Mission of Argentina. Five years later, Conrad became director of the youth and education departments.

In 1958, he was called to be director of youth, education, and public relations at North Central Conference in Santiago, Chile. While there, he finished his master’s degree in education and counseling and later became vice president and director of the Teacher’s College at Chile Adventist University in Chillan, Chile.

In 1965, the Vissers arrived in the United States where Conrad became pastor of Broadway Church in New York, N.Y. for nine years and finished his master’s in education at Columbia University.

In 1976, both Conrad and Eda were called to work in Puerto Rico—Conrad as president of Antillean Adventist University, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and Eda as translator for the nursing department. Later, he served as vice administrator of Bella Vista Hospital.

After working for ADRA in the public relations department, they moved to Florida where he was employed at Hialeah Hospital to complete his 40 years of denominational service. In retirement, Conrad taught Sabbath School for 14 years at Markham Woods Church in Longwood, Fla.

The Vissers have three children: Hernan, Claude, and Vivian, as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

by Pedro Perez

North American Division Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director James Black, right, presents the Excellence In Ministry Award to Florida Conference Adventurer State Administrators Lisa and Brad Gary at the Adventist World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. (Photo: Sarah Gary)

Lisa and Brad Gary, Florida Conference Adventurer State Administrators, recently received the North American Division (NAD) Excellence In Ministry Award. They were officially introduced as volunteer NAD Coordinators for Adventurers on April 5, 2010, and have served on the NAD Adventurer Committee/Advisory for more than a decade.

The Garys started working with Melbourne Adventurers in the fall of 1993. Because of their leadership, they were asked a short time later to serve as East Area Directors for Florida Conference Adventurers and Pathfinders. They have served as State Administrators for Florida Conference Adventurers for more than 12 years.

Pedro Perez, Conference Youth Ministries Director, says, ”It is exciting to learn of this Excellence in Ministry award for two deserving individuals.”

by Rafael Fernandez

From left, Laney Cheshire, Julie Garcia, and Kay Gonzalez, supervised by Carolyn Douglas, gain hands-on experience in a cooking class created especially for children at Okeechobee Church. (Photo: Glenda Fulwider)

Okeechobee, Fla., Church is conducting a Kids In the Kitchen cooking class on the first Tuesday of each month for students eight years and older. The hands-on class helps students enjoy culinary experiences in food preparation, presentation, and taste-testing.

Students are learning how to prepare healthy foods they love to cook and eat. They are also learning how to read labels, select good produce, set a proper table, have good manners, plan menus, use measurement equivalents, make healthy food choices, and practice kitchen safety. The students are supervised by adults, keeping safety as a top priority.

“The class is free,” reports Pastor Rafael Fernandez, “as this is a church ministry and community outreach opportunity.”

by Debra Whilby

With raised hands, candidates at the closing Saturday baptism indicated acceptance of Jesus as their Savior. (Photo: Peter Webb)

The Rise Again Evangelistic Outreach conducted at Sunrise, Fla., Church by Roy Gordon, retired pastor and youth leader, had a tremendous impact on church members and the Sunrise community.

Meetings were held nightly for three weeks from Sunday to Wednesday with two sessions on Sabbath. Monday nights were specifically for young people as they were reminded to hold on to God even through the difficult times.

On the last Wednesday evening, something miraculous happened as Pastor Gordon presented his message, The Close of Probation. Prior to the meeting, there was a scheduled baptism for one confirmed candidate. At the close of the sermon, Pastor Gordon made an appeal, and five men requested baptism.

When the meetings concluded on Saturday, another baptism was held with eight more souls won for the kingdom of God. Those witnessing the baptisms were reminded, “…likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” —Luke 15:7.

A special music program brought the day to an end with Sunrise members praising and rejoicing in the Lord.

by Daniela Monzon

From left: Cindy Latiak, Tamara Ritterskamp, Patti Manoucheri, and Rodney Fulbright expressed their enthusiasm for the new tennis courts at ribbon-cutting ceremonies. (Photo: Alyssa Bailey)

A long-awaited dream for friends of Forest Lake Academy (FLA) in Apopka came true March 1 when they attended ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremonies for new tennis courts. Among those present were key individuals who played a significant part in making the dream a reality by their support, expectations, and spirit.

Coach Rodney Fulbright, FLA athletic director, presented a history of the courts which were a dream of his since 1979. By this time next year, Coach Fulbright anticipates varsity tennis will be among the sports programs offered to students.

Another person making the dream happen was Cindy Latiak, whose visions of tennis courts trace back to the days when her children were academy students. Now, she envisions a community of Adventists gathering to play the sport, learning how to work together, developing sportsmanship, and, overall, enjoying a fun and healthy pastime.

FLA coach Tamara Ritterskamp was present when the project was first discussed, and she is excited to get students involved in tennis. Seeing the courts now completed, she looks forward to teaching a new sport in the physical education curriculum.

Patty Manoucheri is among those who helped create FLA varsity sports. She envisions memberships for the courts with community folks enjoying them as well. “It’s awesome now that the courts are here,” she comments. “Just the reality of it! This is where people discover their talent.”

Forest Lake Academy’s new tennis courts are only a glimpse of recent renovations on the campus. Expansion of the Alumni House to accommodate the Distance Learning Program has begun. Just last school year, the gym received a new roof. The swimming pool is currently being refurbished and, thanks to Brandon Forbes and Richard Carr, Class of 2012, the outdoor basketball courts have received a facelift.

Great things are happening at Forest Lake Academy and, God willing, the best is yet to come!

Florida Conference In Mission is a monthly video series about people reaching people.

This month’s report highlights Apopka Church’s successful operation of a thrift store that provides them a daily presence in the community.