Hope International was an
independent organization, operated by members of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church. It published ''Our Firm Foundation'' magazine and ran camp meetings focused on conservative Adventist messages, originally based on
Eatonville, WA, then
Knoxville
Knoxville is a city in and the county seat of Knox County in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 United States census, Knoxville's population was 190,740, making it the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division and the state' ...
,
IL. The magazine has ceased and the website is inactive. A commercial website claiming Hope International's legacy sells “natural” health supplements and advice out of Marshall, NC. In its heyday, Hope International was criticized by the
official Adventist church for being disruptive.
History
Hope International was founded in 1964 by church
lay members from the
Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region ...
area.
["Hope International" in ''Historical Dictionary of Seventh-day Adventists'' by Gary Land, p.137–38] They were concerned about the future of Adventist beliefs, following discussions with
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...
Christians and the resulting publication of ''
Questions on Doctrine
''Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine'' (generally known by the shortened title ''Questions on Doctrine'', abbreviated ''QOD'') is a book published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1957 to help explain Adventism to conserva ...
'' in the mid-1950s.
They purchased land near
Eatonville.
According to historian
Gary Land, the organization "had no real impact on Adventism" until a retired minister named Ron Spear became actively involved as a leader in 1985.
He initiated the magazine ''Our Firm Foundation'', wrote several books, and organized the group's own annual
camp meetings
The camp meeting is a form of Protestant Christian religious service originating in England and Scotland as an evangelical event in association with the communion season. It was held for worship, preaching and communion on the American frontier ...
. The writings promoted
historic Adventism
Historic Adventism is an informal designation for conservative individuals and organizations affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church who seek to preserve certain traditional beliefs and practices of the church. They feel that the church l ...
.
The Seventh-day Adventist church issued statements of concern about Hope International in 1992 and 2000.
''Our Firm Foundation''
Hope International published the bimonthly magazine ''Our Firm Foundation''.
According to
Alden Thompson, it "is the theological heir to the perfectionism of the 'old' ''
Adventist Review
The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland and oversees the church in directing its various divisions an ...
'' (era of
Kenneth H. Wood), though its strident criticism of mainstream Adventism has alienated many who would share its theological perspective."
See also
*
Historic Adventism
Historic Adventism is an informal designation for conservative individuals and organizations affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church who seek to preserve certain traditional beliefs and practices of the church. They feel that the church l ...
*
Independent ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
References
External links
*
*
''Our Firm Foundation'' magazine including archives
* "Report on Hope International and Associated Groups", a statement of concern by the Adventist
General Conference. Published in the ''
Adventist Review
The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland and oversees the church in directing its various divisions an ...
'' i
August 31, 2000 ''
Ministry'' i
August 2000 and by the
Biblical Research Institute
The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland and oversees the church in directing its various divisions and ...
on thei
website
Independent ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Christian organizations established in 1964
Adventist organizations established in the 20th century
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