1905 - 1987 "Where Education is Life"

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Max Church

Class of 1973

THEN	NOW
*Deceased* Monday Nov 26, 2018 , TZ Email: director@adratz.org
It might take a book to tell all that has happened in the past 35 years! After graduating at the tender age of 16 I gravitated to Berrien Springs to try to earn enough money to attend Andrews University. The first year I had no idea what degree I should take, then the second year I flew off to France in the ACA program at Collonges. I had a great time there in school, travelling, skiing and once in a while paying attention to improving my French. I made some good friends, had no money but that made it even more exciting. I returned to Andrews but during the summer I discovered in a strawberry patch what career i should pursue, which was business. I also met the girl who would be my wife and future mother of my 7 children! We dated and then the following summer we married (1976). After graduation Andrews University offered me a job as the Manager of a retail store, but then after 3 years we were called to go to Haiti in mission service. We spent 5 years there, added two children to our new family and then moved up to Orlando Florida where I began a business for Florida Hospital in Home Health Care. Soon after I changed to selling health insurance and finally after 5 years, and another 2 children whom we adopted, we were called to work for ADRA. I went through some training then off to be Director of ADRA in Malawi, Africa where we spent the next 7 years. While I did my work my wife Davona (Thoresen) opened a home for orphaned and abandoned babies. We had also fostered many children in the U.S. previously. We had to suddenly leave Malawi in 1998 so we moved to Michigan and then Maryland to work as a Vice President for Adventist World Radio. While in Malawi I earned another degree, this one a Masters of Science in Administration (MSA) in International Development. About 3 years later we moved back to ADRA to work in Burundi, Africa. Then later after 2 years we transferred to Tanzania where we have been for the past 5 years. My wife has done wonderful work in caring for hundreds of babies and now runs her own Cradle of Love Baby Home; cradleoflove.com We adopted our seventh child in Tanzania. Our two first children are now married and the others are plowing their way through school. God has blessed us with good health and a large family. We enjoy our work. ADRA Tanzania and the people here are a delight. I think with good memories of my time at Adelphian Academy. I am sorry that I am never in the U.S.A. when there is a class reunion! I have seen several of my classmates since attending; Lenny Kisinger, Leona (my sister), Brian Bakewell (her husband), Carol Perry, Bonnie Mahoney, and others. God has blessed and continues to bless us! Max Church, class of 73, had a massive heart attack Monday night 26th November, and did not survive. He was 62 years old. Celebration of his life will be at the Collegedale community SDA Church CHATTANOOGA TN Sunday Dec 2 2018 At 2:30pm visitation will be after the program.
Last Update: Friday, November 30, 2018