Helped lay groundwork for TV ministry now called Hope Channel
Philip Stanley Follett, 79, a former vice president for the Seventh-day Adventist world church, died in his hometown of Collegedale, Tennessee on October 7. He had battled cancer, family members said.
As vice president from 1992 to 2000, Follett oversaw leadership development systems for the church's then 12 world divisions.
His daughter, Lorraine Ball, said her father had a gift for "seeing the big picture" that made him a sounding board for the many young people he mentored throughout his life.
Born March 15, 1932, Follett served as a pastor and conference secretary in Southern California from 1953 to 1967. He also served as president for the Ohio, Chesapeake and Northern California Conferences before he was elected president of the Atlantic Union in 1986.
Follett earned his undergraduate degree from La Sierra University, his master's degree from Andrews University and was later awarded an honorary doctorate from Atlantic Union College.
Follett first hired Juan Prestol, now world church undertreasurer, as a union treasurer. Prestol remembers him as "one of the best administrative leaders the church has had."
"Because of him, I'm a better man, a better leader, and better Christian," Prestol said.
Seventh-day Adventist world church President Ted N. C. Wilson remembers Follett as a great source of encouragement for church members. Wilson said Follett's "untiring efforts for media development at a formative period some years ago greatly helped Hope Channel become what it is today."
After his retirement, Follett worked as president for LifeTalk Radio, located in Simi Valley, California, until 2008, and part-time in various capacities until 2011.
Follett was preceded in death by his wife Bernardine DeFehr Follett in 1985. He is survived by two adult children, Lorraine (Scott) Ball and David Follett, two grandchildren, Jonathan and Jessica Ball, and a sister, Barbara Connel.
A memorial service will be held on Sabbath, October 15, at 3 p.m. in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists with Southern Adventist University President Gordon Bietz officiating.