It happened to me too. I came to the seminary, sat in the class, called Righteousness by Faith, a good ten or twelve rows behind Neils-Erik Andreasen (And about 10 or 12 rows behind him in the test, too). I watched our teacher stand at the front, pace back and forth, and then back up against the desk and cry as he talked to me about what Jesus had done for us. And Jesus became clearer than ever before. I went downstairs after that to Dr. Running’s class. I never left there doubting anything about the Adventist church. I went to the class on evangelism and I heard the man say, “Don’t you ever close a sermon without inviting people to Jesus”. I went back upstairs to your class, Dr. Dederen. I have those notes to this day. And I always wished I could say things in a way that would be clear, like you said them.

You all spoke at five thousand churches today. What you have taught is what Seventh-day Adventists of North America heard on this Sabbath. You are important to us! What you have taught is what people heard today, who came to church for the last time, who said, “I’ll give it one more shot”. They heard what you taught. I hope they're back next week too. People who came for the very first time, heard you speaking through your students. Thank you! Thank you for what you’ve done. The Seventh-day Adventist church in North America is a great church! It is made great by the God of heaven, using the talents that you possess, as you have taught our pastors.

Not only did you teach us while we were here, you have come back to talk to groups who now assemble in pastors’ meetings, tired out, sometimes discouraged. And you have come to pump them up again, and help them get a new lease on life. Thank you, for what you do! Thank you for making a difference for the Lord.

I, with you, celebrate a new building and a renewed dedication to serve God's church. I tell you "Thank you!" for teaching our students how to present Jesus. Thank you for leaving them with no doubt about the Seventh-day Adventist message. Thank you for telling them how to invite people to Jesus. Thank you for telling them how to make it clear. Thank you for being God’s person and for teaching others who are God’s people at the Adventist Seminary where students will come and leave to minister to all of our churches in the North American Division.