Folkenberg was born in
Santurce,
Puerto Rico 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 one year before a one-year stint at
Newbold College. In 1962, Folkenberg graduated from
Andrews University and obtained his master's degree 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".
Financial improprieties Robert Folkenberg had business dealings with James Moore, who was convicted of grand-theft felony in 1987. On August 21, 1998, Moore sued Folkenberg, the General Conference Corporation, and the
Inter-America Division, alleging that Folkenberg had stolen 8,000,000 dollars from him. The suit was settled out of court on February 26, 1999. Meetings were held by ADCOM on January 27, and 28 of that year, questioning Folkenberg on his dealings. They asked him to resign, but he refused. Finally on February 8, 1999, he resigned his position as president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. == See also ==