Robert S. Folkenberg
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| Robert S. Folkenberg | |
| Born | January 1, 1941  Santurce, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Former President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists |
Robert Stanley Folkenberg, (born January 1,1941 in Santurce, Puerto Rico), served as General Conference president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church from 1990 through to his resignation in 1999. He is now working to further outreach in Africa through the church’s Global Evangelism/Share Him program.
[edit] Biography
Folkenberg was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on 1 January 1941 to North American missionaries serving in Latin America. Folkenberg’s education up to Grade 4 took place in Puerto Rico, before attending schools in Cuba, entering high school in California and completing high school in Milo, Oregon in 1958. The next year, Folkenberg enrolled in Atlantic Union College where he remained for two years before a two year stint at Newbold College. In 1962, Folkenberg graduated from Andrews University and obtained his masters in New Testament theology from Andrews in 1963.
Prior to his election as General Conference President in 1990, Folkenberg served as President of the Carolina Conference.
His move in 1998 to establish a "Board of Ministerial and Theological Education" in every Division of the church was criticised and put on hold.[1]
He championed the vision of a “Global Mission initiative” in the Adventist Church. An expected long tenure as president was cut short by his decision to resign amid allegations of financial impropriety in his personal life. His decision was not an admission of guilt but rather an expression of concern that the church not be marred by his cooperation in the investigation.[2] A Christianity Today article described him as "known for a somewhat brusque management style".[1] According to Lawrence Geraty, then president of La Sierra University, while Folkenberg "never asked anyone to do what he himself was not willing to do," his methods raised hackles. He continues to work for the church to-date.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Besieged President Resigns by Mark A. Kellner. Christianity Today
- ^ "Seventh-day Adventist president resigns. (case involving business practices prompts Robert S. Folkenberg to resign)", The Christian Century, 1999-02-24. Retrieved on 2006-06-08.
- Robert S. Folkenberg. Curriculum Vitae. Retrieved on 2006-07-02.
| Preceded by Neal C. Wilson |
President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 1990 - 1999 |
Succeeded by Jan Paulsen |
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