Robert S. Folkenberg
Encyclopedia
Robert Stanley Folkenberg, (born January 1, 1941 in Santurce
, Puerto Rico
), served as General Conference president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
from 1990 through to his resignation in 1999. He is now working to further evangelism within the laity of the church through worldwide programs through ShareHim/Global Evangelism.
on 1 January 1941 to North American missionaries serving in Latin America and Central America. Folkenberg’s education up to Grade 4 took place in Puerto Rico, before attending schools in Cuba, entering high school in California and completing high school in Milo, Oregon
in 1958. The next year, Folkenberg enrolled in Atlantic Union College
where he remained for two years before a two year stint at Newbold College
. In 1962, Folkenberg graduated from Andrews University
and obtained his masters in New Testament theology from Andrews in 1963.
Prior to his election as General Conference President in 1990, Folkenberg served as President of the Carolina Conference.
His move in 1998 to establish a "Board of Ministerial and Theological Education" in every Division of the church was criticised and put on hold.
He championed the vision of a “Global Mission initiative” in the Adventist Church. An expected long tenure as president was cut short by his decision to resign amid allegations of financial impropriety in his personal life. His decision was not an admission of guilt but rather an expression of concern that the church not be marred by his cooperation in the investigation. A Christianity Today
article says "During his presidency, Folkenberg, known for a somewhat brusque management style, shook up the denomination, spearheading mass communications initiatives that have led to massive growth in membership". According to Lawrence Geraty, then president of La Sierra University
, while Folkenberg "never asked anyone to do what he himself was not willing to do," his methods raised hackles.
He continues to work for the church to-date.
Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santurce is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Summary:Santurce is one of the top ten most populated areas of the island holding Miramar, Loíza, Isla Grande, Barrio Obrero, and Condado as main cultural hot spots for art, music, cuisine, fashion, hotels, technology, multimedia, film, textile and...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
), served as General Conference president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
from 1990 through to his resignation in 1999. He is now working to further evangelism within the laity of the church through worldwide programs through ShareHim/Global Evangelism.
Biography
Folkenberg was born in Santurce, Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
on 1 January 1941 to North American missionaries serving in Latin America and Central America. Folkenberg’s education up to Grade 4 took place in Puerto Rico, before attending schools in Cuba, entering high school in California and completing high school in Milo, Oregon
Milo, Oregon
Milo is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States, about 17 miles east of Canyonville on the South Umpqua River.Milo post office was established in 1923; Cora E. Buker was the first postmaster. It was named for Milo, Maine, the hometown of Amos O. Buker, who was the...
in 1958. The next year, Folkenberg enrolled in Atlantic Union College
Atlantic Union College
Atlantic Union College was a Seventh-day Adventist college in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Its final year operating as an independent institution was the 2010-2011 school year following loss of accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
where he remained for two years before a two year stint at Newbold College
Newbold College
Newbold College is a Seventh-day Adventist higher education provider located in Binfield, Berkshire, England; 40 miles west of London. It offers courses in Theology, Business Management, Arts & Social Studies as well as English Language and is accredited by the University of Wales Lampeter...
. In 1962, Folkenberg graduated from Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
and obtained his masters in New Testament theology from Andrews in 1963.
Prior to his election as General Conference President in 1990, Folkenberg served as President of the Carolina Conference.
His move in 1998 to establish a "Board of Ministerial and Theological Education" in every Division of the church was criticised and put on hold.
He championed the vision of a “Global Mission initiative” in the Adventist Church. An expected long tenure as president was cut short by his decision to resign amid allegations of financial impropriety in his personal life. His decision was not an admission of guilt but rather an expression of concern that the church not be marred by his cooperation in the investigation. A Christianity Today
Christianity Today
Christianity Today is an Evangelical Christian periodical based in Carol Stream, Illinois. It is the flagship publication of its parent company Christianity Today International, claiming circulation figures of 140,000 and readership of 290,000...
article says "During his presidency, Folkenberg, known for a somewhat brusque management style, shook up the denomination, spearheading mass communications initiatives that have led to massive growth in membership". According to Lawrence Geraty, then president of La Sierra University
La Sierra University
La Sierra University is a Seventh-day Adventist co-educational university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Adventist Accrediting Association...
, while Folkenberg "never asked anyone to do what he himself was not willing to do," his methods raised hackles.
He continues to work for the church to-date.