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[sonshineonme]

I liked this, for many reasons. Listen closely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPTWsy1jb7c

[Johann]

To: My Colleagues in Ministry and my CAMPUS Staff, Missionaries, Students & Supporters
From: Samuel Koranteng–Pipim, PhD
Date: May 25, 2011
Subject: Resignation

On May 23, 2011, I regretfully notified the Michigan Conference Executive Committee of my decision to resign as Director of Public Campus Ministries and from the employment of the Michigan Conference. My resignation letter attached to the Michigan Conference release explains why.

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for the Christian friendship and support you have offered me all these years. I would also like to thank you for your tremendous contribution to the kind of youth empowerment that CAMPUS promotes – namely a spiritual movement of young people which is Bible-based, life-transforming, mission-driven, and racially diverse. As you may already know, CAMPUS is not only the birth place, headquarters, and sponsor of GYC (Generation of Youth for Christ), it is also the sponsor of ALIVE (Africans Living In View of Eternity), an emerging grassroots missionary movement for African graduates and young professionals. CAMPUS also has a joint-partnership with STRIDE (Student Training & Resource Institute for Discipleship and Evangelism), a campus missionary training program that is based in Boston, Massachusetts. Further, as the grace of God has abounded the work of our CAMPUS staff, missionaries, students and alumni from our events and programs, CAMPUS has earned the trust of many students and young people around the world, inspiring them to do great things for their Lord. Your continued support for this work, which I’m now leaving behind, is much more needed at this time than ever before.

As for my future plans, I intend to spend some time with my family, do some prayerful reflection and study, and help in the orderly and smooth transition of the new CAMPUS leadership to be appointed by the Michigan Conference. Consequently, all speaking appointments are being canceled. Although my passion for youth training and empowerment has not waned, the rest of my life is in God’s hands.

It is with deep pain – a pain far worse than death – that I have to resign at this critical time. Many of our standard bearers are being laid to rest, others are retiring and growing old, thousands of young people are calling for spiritual mentorship from faithful and courageous adult leaders, doors that are now opened for God’s work will soon be forever shut, and the cause of God urgently needs more faithful laborers in the field and within the church. Now shouldn’t be the time to resign. But I believe my decision is in the best interest of God’s work, and is consistent with the biblical teachings and messages I have shared by voice and by pen.

Undoubtedly, my resignation will be greeted with deep sorrow and hurt by those of you who have known me and worked closely with me. On the other hand, others who have always opposed what we stand for will have an additional reason to rejoice. For this, I am deeply sorry. Pray that the Lord will grant me genuine sorrow and humility of heart as I wait patiently on Him. Pray also that God’s faithful people everywhere – especially the young people whose lives I’ve touched – will learn important lessons from my experience, be comforted and encouraged by the Lord Himself, and be strengthened to carry forward the work of a “Bible – based revival movement in which every student is a missionary.” Pray that the treasures of truth that have been faithfully delivered would not be rejected nor ignored on account of the damaged vessel that carried them, and that the Lord will renew my strength, restoring me again to full heath – physically and spiritually.

It has been a real privilege serving with you during the past twelve and half years. As you pray for me, my family, and the work I am leaving behind, don’t forget to pray for all the faithful workers and leaders at different frontlines of the work. They are the special targets of the enemy’s great wrath. Pray that the Lord will open our eyes to perceive the dangers that lurk around us, to discern our own true condition – our shortcomings, our secret evils, our faults and failings – and to behold the spiritual resources in Christ that are presently available to us. Above all, pray for the Lord to open our eyes that we may see the urgent need of depending upon Him moment by moment, as we seek true revival and reformation in our lives and in our church. This is my prayer for myself and for each one of you.

Sincerely,
SKP

[Johann]

May 29,2011

Dear Colleagues in Ministry:

Life and ministry sometimes brings us great pain and sorrow. This is one of those times.  Dr. Samuel Pipim who has been used by the Lord to pioneer Secular Campus Ministry has given the Michigan Conference Executive Committee (MCEC) his resignation. It has been accepted and voted. Please see his resignation letter and subsequent message attached to this email.

Here is the time line.

Monday, May 23, 2011 – I received a call from Dr. Pipim Monday afternoon telling me that he was resigning from Michigan Conference and the ministry. This was the first time I had heard of this situation.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – This was the regular May meeting for the MCEC. Before the meeting I received Dr. Pipim’s written resignation.  The resignation was accepted and voted at the end of our meeting.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 – I, along with the Conference Secretary, was traveling and occupied for the day with the Camp Au Sable Administration Committee.

Thursday, May 26, 2011 – The officers called a meeting of key CAMPUS leaders to discuss the process of releasing the information. We were concerned about making sure those closest to Dr. Pipim would be able to process and adjust to the information before it was released publicly. In addition, there were some complications due to travel. We agreed to release the information no later than midday EDT on Sunday, May 29, 2011. We hoped by then to have his close friends and students contacted and encouraged. Please read the releases. They speak for themselves.

Sunday, May 29, 2011 – In the morning I was at Great Lakes Adventist Academy graduation.  We finished pulling the material together and prepared it for release by mid-afternoon.

We are in a Great Controversy between Christ and Satan. The war, both visible and invisible, is intense and severe.  We must, in the words of Jesus, “watch and pray”.  Nevertheless, when God’s law is broken there is still a Mercy Seat – the Throne of Grace for which we are grateful. It is not the throne of indulgence but it is a Throne of Grace for every believing sinner.

It was there that David, Peter and Paul found grace. His grace is not a mere trickle or a narrow tiny river but rather deep and wide – like the ocean it cannot be measured. When a brother or sister falls, they need His grace. They also need our prayers, our hands, and our love. Though their failure fills us with grief and sorrow we will not weaken our faith with doubt, but strengthen it with the promises of His Word.

For the mighty Lord we serve is not weak or powerless when His children face even the most sophisticated temptations of the enemy. But He is mighty in battle. He can save, restore, transform and cleanse. Our weakness in Him can become strong. Yet, in his love for us He would spare us the bitterness of falling and the consequences of yielding to temptation. That is why we are assured that He is not only able to forgive and heal but also “is able to keep us from falling.” It is because of His power to both forgive our sins and heal our sinfulness that He can assure us that He is “able to present us faultless before the Throne of God.” What grace, what wisdom, what compassion, what power!  What a Savior!

Let us remember that the work of the gospel message is never built around one person no matter how much light and influence they have exhibited for truth.  Our message is built on the Rock Christ Jesus. He is the message. He is the Way, the Truth and the Light. He is the essence of all we hope for and is the Author of both law and grace.  Our Messiah, Jesus Christ, is our real leader. He is not a symbol or a figurehead. He is the real leader in every way. His teachings are life. He is our life. So, in spite of disappointment, let us not take our eyes off of Him. Let us not be afraid. But in face of failure let us recommit ourselves to watch and pray. Now is the time to press onward and upward. “Nothing can be done against the truth except for the truth.” “We have nothing to fear as long as we do not forget how the Lord has led us in the past.” Let us be strong and of good courage for He who leads us is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Yours in Christ:
Elder Jay Gallimore
President
Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

It seems like Dr. Samuel Pipim has for many years been one of the greatest advocates of perfection and against ordaining women in the church.

[Bob Pickle]

What made him different was his willingness to cite names in footnotes of those who were undermining major Adventist beliefs, such as creation. I found his material to be a breath of fresh air in that regard.

[Johann]

What made him different was his willingness to cite names in footnotes of those who were undermining major Adventist beliefs, such as creation. I found his material to be a breath of fresh air in that regard.

Does that make up for a moral breach? Evens out the final reckoning?

[Artiste]

Some have complained that he was too hard-nosed about issues that maybe even he had a problem with.

[Bob Pickle]

What made him different was his willingness to cite names in footnotes of those who were undermining major Adventist beliefs, such as creation. I found his material to be a breath of fresh air in that regard.

Does that make up for a moral breach? Evens out the final reckoning?

Of course not. But that wasn't the point I was addressing. I was addressing your comment about his being "one of the greatest advocates." I don't think we should narrow down to just two issues what he was advocating. He took stands on a lot of issues.