Larry L. Caviness, Southern California Conference president, presented a week-long series of meetings entitled “Peace in a Chaotic World” at the Santa Barbara Adventist Church in October. Caviness was joined by his wife, Linda Bryant Caviness, Ph.D., associate professor, La Sierra University School of Education, who provided insights from her specialty area of study, brain science.

In addition to the commitment of time and energy by both a busy conference administrator and university professor to promote the Gospel together, the series was noteworthy for the impact of its messages that extended far beyond the Santa Barbara Church walls to the world, via the Internet. All presentations have been archived and are available for viewing at www.sbsdachurch.com.

The opening night’s message incorporated the story of Tad Caviness, the couple’s son who succumbed to a rare degenerative brain disease at the age of 16. All eyes were tearful as the very personal message, “Why So Much Suffering?” was delivered from the perspectives of mother and father.

How did a busy conference president find time to prepare nine sermons? Caviness based his presentations on the DVD evangelism resource, “New Beginnings,” the product of an ASI-It Is Written collaboration. “I’m field testing it for them,” remarked Caviness, who obtained special permission to show the topnotch graphics over the Internet.

Senior Pastor Pete Geli, the series’ platform chair, initially suggested inviting Caviness to Santa Barbara. Vance Johnson, head elder and evangelism coordinator, recalls that there was no hesitation when he broached the subject of a series. “He spun his chair around and checked his organizer to be sure the dates did not conflict with other appointments.” Moments later, Caviness declared, “Let’s do it!”

Caviness summed up the experience: “I have been honored and privileged to be with you. Our dream for the conference is—as is yours in Santa Barbara—to focus on evangelism. Join us as our conference carries out the mission that God has given us, taking the message to the world around us.”

In all, 133 people registered for the seminar, 18 of them non-Adventists. On the closing Sabbath of the series, seven people joined the church through baptism or profession of faith.