Divisions George Edward Vandeman (October 21, 1916 – November 3, 2000) was a Seventh-day Adventist evangelist who founded the It Is Written television ministry.
In the years following World War II, Vandeman and other charismatic Adventist speakers like Fordyce Detamore spearheaded a drive for the public evangelism of major cities.
After returning from a mission project in England, he was asked by the new General Conference President Reuben Richard Figuhr to continue with the Christian television program.
Six years earlier then-president James Lamar McElhany had convinced Vandeman to try television as a means of reaching others with the Gospel.
[5] The program's title was based on the Bible verse Matthew 4:4, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
[3] The telecast was launched to all of California in 1962, and this effort was followed by a month-long series at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
[8] Vandeman was later presented with an International Distinguished Achievement Gold Angel award — Excellence in Media's highest honor.
[8] He was a member of Religious Heritage of America, the Strategy for the Elevation of People Foundation, and the Year of the Bible Committee.
In 1990, the It Is Written production team and Vandeman traveled to the Soviet Union to tape "Empires in Collision," an eight-part series.
[10] He was survived by his wife, Nellie of Camarillo, California, and by children George Jr., Bob, Ron, and Connie Vandeman Jeffery.