wfn.org | Adventist Evangelist George E. Vandeman Dies

[APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com]

November 19, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Internationally Known Adventist Evangelist George E. 
Vandeman Dies

Thousand Oaks, California/USA.     George E. Vandeman 
died on November 3 at his home in Newbury Park, California. 
The renowned Seventh-day Adventist evangelist and author 
was 84. Vandeman is perhaps best known as the founder 
of the internationally broadcast television program 
It Is Written.

Established in 1956 in California, It Is Written was 
a pioneering force in the Adventist Church's use of 
communication technology for evangelism. Today, the 
award-winning show is broadcast in more than 150 
countries around the world. 

Vandeman was the presenter of It Is Written for more 
than 35 years; since 1992 the half-hour weekly telecast 
has been fronted by evangelist Mark Finley. 

"George Vandeman was a visionary who often was far 
ahead of his time," says Finley. "He had the unique 
ability to see possibilities where others saw only 
problems. George had the ability to communicate to 
people at all levels, but he especially ministered to 
people who were highly educated, affluent, and in the 
upper echelons of society. He seemed to understand 
ttheir heartaches, their longings, and their basic human 
needs. 

"To me he was more than a colleague but a close friend, 
with timely spiritual advice and practical counsel on 
how to guide It Is Written into the 21st century," 
he adds. "We at It Is Written will mourn his loss but 
we praise God for his creative, visionary leadership 
and the spiritual mold in which he cast the It Is 
Written ministry."

Vandeman died "peacefully in his sleep" in the early 
morning, says his daughter Connie Vandeman Jeffery. 
He died of heart failure. Vandeman's family has 
expressed its appreciation for the prayers and 
support of their Adventist Church family, both locally 
and around the world.

Vandeman is survived by his wife, Nellie, and four 
children, George, Jr., Bob, Ron, and Connie Vandeman 
Jeffery.