Morris Venden


Morris L. Venden was a prominent Seventh-day Adventist preacher, teacher, and author, who was also a member of the Voice of Prophecy team as an associate speaker.

Biography

Venden was born to Melvin Venden and Ivy Ruth Venden. He graduated from Fresno Adventist Academy in 1949, and received a degree from Pacific Union College, as well as several honorary degrees. He died on February 10, 2013, in College Place, Washington succumbing to FTD, a rare form of dementia.
He pastored several large Seventh-day Adventist churches such as the La Sierra University Church and Pacific Union College Church on the campus of Pacific Union College in California, and Union College Church in Nebraska. Later he pastored the Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church near Loma Linda, California, from which he retired in August, 1998.
Venden then joined the Voice of Prophecy team as an associate speaker. As well as appearing on Voice of Prophecy radio broadcasts, he was also a popular speaker at both national and international Seventh-day Adventist church events.
One source described him as a "master" of the art of preaching amongst Seventh-day Adventists.
Venden was married to Marilyn, and together they ministered mostly to students and young professionals.
Venden was a strong advocate of both justification and sanctification by faith alone. He also was a strong supporter of the Pillars of Seventh-day Adventism including the investigative judgment. He is remembered for his parables and dry humor. As a young minister he was deeply influenced by H. M. S. Richards, Sr., the founder of the Voice of Prophecy radio program.

Publications

Venden wrote for a Seventh-day Adventist church membership audience and published more than 30 books. Many discuss theological issues and their application in a person's life. These books were not peer-reviewed and were published by non-academic, Seventh-day Adventist church publishing houses.