Hartland Institute

Mission Statement:
To take the everlasting gospel to the world in this generation
through evangelistic, educational, health and media ministries.

Our Progress & Ministry

A great struggle is at hand over the principles that have made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are, for Satan is seeking to undermine the only church that stands in his way of taking over the world. Our mission has been one of revival and reformation within God’s church and vigorous soul-winning in the world. Since its inception over 17 years ago, Hartland has become known around the world for its focus and fidelity to the truth of God, and its opposition to the efforts of Satan to confuse dilute and destroy the mission and message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A significant movement is underway in Seventh-day Adventism to re-establish the clarion sound of our message in the lives of God’s people. We believe God has called us to be a part of that movement. We believe that the Laodicean message applies to all of us. (See Revelation 3:17) We must awake, arise and give the message. Eternity is at stake!

Our Philosophy

Hartland is founded on the principles of the Word of God. We have never used speculation in our understanding of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy in order to soften its testimony, but have upheld the pure principles of truth as outlined in its sacred pages.. We do not promote our own brand of theology and set our standards up for the rest of the church. Our great joy has been to see souls saved for the kingdom by appreciating and applying God’s principles and standards in their lives, even in difficult circumstances. We have always taught that “all ye are brethren,” and that salvation has nothing to do with agreement with us, but rather in agreement with God and His Word. Only God can determine a man’s salvation. Only those who rebel against the revealed will of God will be found outside the eternal city.

Hartland’s agenda is ever a missionary, soul-saving agenda. We have never entertained the idea of starting a new or parallel church, or placing our own opinions or interpretations above the true biblical authority invested in God’s church. But should religious leaders, even in world-session enact principles or policies that are clearly in opposition to the plainly revealed will of God, we cannot support or obey them. God is not coercive, and we must never force our beliefs on others. Hartland staff have never made any attempt to control a local church and have consistently resisted anyone who does. As local members, we exercise our responsibilities as a faithful member of the churches we regularly attend.

God has always had servants who will proclaim the truth and oppose apostasy wherever it is found regardless of the consequences. When God sent Jeremiah to warn Israel of its coming captivity, He sent him with this injunction;

“Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 1:7-8)

We are also reminded of the following statement:

“Satan’s attacks against the advocates of the truth will wax more bitter and determined to the very close of time. As in Christ’s day the chief priests and rulers stirred up the people against Him, so today the religious leaders will excite bitterness and prejudice against the truth for this time. The people will be led to acts of violence and opposition which they would never have thought of had they not been imbued with the animosity of professed Christians against the truth.”

“What course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the Word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit” Counsel to Writers and Editors, pp. 58-59).

While this statement is used to counsel us regarding evangelism, its principle nevertheless, applies to matters within God’s church as well.

When God calls us to speak His truth, we do not have the right to pick and choose what parts of the Word of God to present. We must preach the fullness of the everlasting gospel, even if it is unpleasant to the hearer, and even if it causes pain to those in apostasy. God wounds, only that He can heal and restore. The history of Israel is replete with examples of men, some of whom lost their lives, who did God’s bidding and paid the price at the hands of their spiritually blinded brethren. So it will be in this last age. If our work should stop, others will rise up to take our places.

Our Ministry

HARTLAND COLLEGE Visit us and you will meet about 80 dedicated youth from many different countries. These students are educated to give their lives in selfless service for God and man. They are prepared in the way of righteousness and truth. Every course is designed to lead them to Jesus and to enhance their ministry. None is expected to graduate unless they are proven soul winners for the Lord. They are trained for practical soul winning through colporteuring, Bible study presentation, health ministry, and evangelism. Frequently we are able to send evangelistic teams to different parts of the world. Students are also trained in practical arts and vocational skills. Throughout the history of Hartland, students and staff have conducted evangelistic crusades and other soul-winning activities and have seen many baptisms into the truth and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Also, visit Hartland’s production room where videos of college classes are duplicated for Hartland’s widely expanding college video extension programs through which students, unable to attend the College, develop their talents for use in Christian service. Graduates and former students are serving world-wide in soul-winning ministries for the Lord.

HARTLAND LIFESTYLE EDUCATION CENTER Visit one of the best-equipped modern wellness centers. Here health guests learn God’s natural remedies for prevention of disease and restoration from lifestyle illnesses. Guests are brought to a deeper knowledge of Christ and His ministry for their souls as they learn God’s eight natural remedies to prevent disease and restore health of body. God has provided a consecrated staff who are being used to lead guests to the saving grace of the Lord. You may also visit with members of the health team who use health ministries in the community or churches to win souls. Quite a number of baptisms into Christ and the Seventh-day Adventist message have resulted from this important ministry. Numbers of Seventh-day Adventist ministers can testify of manifold blessings they have received from this program also.

HARTLAND PUBLICATIONS Visit our recently enlarged publishing house that publishes books and periodicals designed to meet the spiritual needs of God’s people and the world at large. Books published address the precious truths of the Seventh-day Adventist faith, health and family life, history, home school education, etc. Hartland publications also provides audio and videotapes and compact discs of powerful preaching, teaching, and inspiring Christian music and other materials useful to men and women seeking a deep understanding of the truth.

LAST GENERATION MINISTRIES The Last Generation Magazine has now become well known for its quality, four-color missionary content that is designed to present the events transpiring in the world in the light of Biblical prophecy. It is focused upon turning the minds of its readers to the Second Coming of Christ. Already many are rejoicing in the Three Angel’s Messages and the Sabbath as a direct result of the Last Generation Magazine. Last Generation Ministries is dedicated to providing quality literature resources for literature missionaries around the world. Their materials, produced by students and staff of Hartland College, are trusted as effective tools for missionary work.

HARTLAND WORLD MISSION Speakers from Hartland have accepted the challenge to be “men who will labor with earnest, ceaseless energy for the purifying of the church and the warning of the world” Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 187) Hartland’s worldwide evangelism ministry provides speakers for churches, schools, retreats, and camp meetings on a wide variety of important topics. Camp meetings and convocations at Hartland and abroad, are generally scheduled so that as many as possible may attend. We invite all God’s people to come and gain the blessing of a Hartland camp meeting or convocation. These inspiring meetings are a great encouragement to those who are tired of the celebration style music, weak or erroneous messages and perverted youth programming so often the fare at modern camp meetings.

Here is a typical evaluation of a participant at one of Hartland’s camp meetings:

“I want to say without reservation that the Hartland camp meeting was truly a spiritual feast. For me personally, it was a much needed time of reflection and renewal. All the speakers that I heard presented pure, Seventh-day Adventist gospel …”

They have an urgent commitment to finish the Work and hasten Jesus’ return. The purpose of Hartland College is to prepare SDA young men and young women for just that work.”

Through these various methods large numbers of men and women around the world have been led to Christ and His remnant church over the fruitful 17 years of Hartland’s ministry. Many have been baptized, but not into Hartland. All baptismal candidates are baptized into Christ and the Seventh-day Adventist message and the world-wide fellowship of Seventh-day Adventists. Rebaptisms are conducted when a candidate may have backslidden, or has come into a large advancement in light and truth (See Evangelism, pp. 372-375). New baptisms are only performed after we have evidence that the candidate is truly converted and is living a life consistent with God’s Word.

For every department of Hartland Institute, ministry, soul winning, hastening the coming of Jesus are the all-consuming motivations. Through its graduates, former staff and friends, Hartland Institute has spawned or encouraged a large number of faithful self-supporting ministries in various parts of the world including Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, Europe and North America.
Our Beginnings

God’s church faces the greatest challenges that it has ever had. God established Hartland for such a time as this. Pr. Colin Standish recounts: “Seventeen years ago the Lord called me to help commence Hartland Institute. I would never have responded had I not been called of God.” The interim board of what was to be Hartland, met July 25, 1982, and voted to invite him to lead the new project. “I would not naturally choose this formidable and challenging work, but by the opening providences of God, the Lord led me into self-supporting work and it has been the most fulfilling ministry of my life!” Pr. Standish was one of many that God led to help in the opening work of Hartland.

On September 13, 1983, Hartland College opened with 13 students. In May of 1984 the Lifestyle Education Center opened. In July of that same year, Hartland Publications was launched. While Hartland Bible conferences, now referred to as convocations, officially began in December 1983, the founders of Hartland conducted seminars, retreats and revival meetings as early as 1981. Camp meetings were added later.

The members of the Board of Directors are chosen by the membership (constituency), not because of their position or influence in any circle, but on the basis of demonstrated faithfulness to the Word of God. Hartland must be free to do God’s work without the leavening influence of elements that would place the opinions of men above the commands of God.
Our Message and Beliefs

Our vision and message goes far beyond the pivotal issues such as the nature of Christ and Christian perfection. Observe the wide variety of books published by Hartland Publications. Subjects include education, prophecy, family life, health, history, creationism, righteousness by faith, the sanctuary message, religious liberty and more. The sermons we preach are on tape for all to hear and evaluate for themselves. We believe we must uphold all of the message that God has entrusted to us. Hartland’s focus is as broad as the truth.

Conclusion

The servant of the Lord has stated:

“In every age and in every land, God’s messengers have been called upon to meet bitter opposition from those who deliberately chose to reject the light of heaven. Often, by misrepresentation and falsehood the enemies of the gospel have seemingly triumphed, closing the doors by which God’s messengers might gain access to the people. But these doors cannot remain forever closed, and often, as God’s servants have returned after a time to resume their labors, the Lord has wrought mightily in their behalf, enabling them to establish memorials to the glory of His name” Acts and Apostles, p.179).

Throughout the 21 years of Hartland’s ministry God has led in its development. Its role is clearer and stronger now than when it began. We thank God for the opportunity to work for the salvation of souls and for the reformation of His church, which undoubtedly will take place during the shaking. We praise Him for sustaining Hartland through very difficult and trying times and pray that we will be faithful to Him as pressure to compromise increases. Pray for us that our work will grow and flourish.

Prayerfully submitted on behalf of the Membership, Staff and Board of Directors, to the leaders and members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.