Over 130 communication professionals and students converged in Dallas, October 14–17, 2004, for the Society of Adventist Communicators (SAC) 16th annual convention.
In his welcome, Ryan Teller, SAC president, emphasized, “We are drawn together by our common belief in Jesus and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. …We all have a passion for communication using many different media, but we also have a passion for our church and our message.”
SAC exists to nurture the spiritual, social, and professional growth of its members. This was accomplished at the convention with networking opportunities, professional growth seminars, and worship times for spiritual renewal.
Workshops were offered to enhance and develop skills in the areas of directing, marketing, editing, web design/publishing, public relations, and more. Seminars were conducted by SAC members, Dallas Morning News award-winning reporter, Berta Delgado, and Jeff Grilley, an Emmy Award winning journalist with over two decades of television news experience, and other professionals.
Convention attendees were spiritually renewed at worship times by speakers, which included: Mike Tucker, Bill Johnsson, and Ray Tetz. Musical guest Buddy Houghtaling, of Battle Creek, Mich., was appreciated for the way his lyrics reflect various everyday experiences and the personal relationships of people in his life.
A highlight of the conference was the gala banquet. Musical guest Rickey Smith, a former Southwestern Adventist University student and semifinalist on the American Idol television show, shared a variety of musical selections and his personal testimony.
At the banquet, SAC members also recognized the dedicated service and leadership of Kermit Netteburg, who recently vacated the position of North American Division vice president. Kermit has impacted the lives of countless communication professionals throughout his years of service in the Adventist Church. He was awarded the SAC Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2005 SAC convention will be held in Portland, Ore., October 13–16. Visit www.adventistcommunicator.org for additional information about SAC.
Diane Thurber, Lake Union Herald managing editor
