Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

10/26/2026

Oregon Adventist Filmmaker Wins Cutting Edge Award

During Gladstone Camp Meeting this summer, the Oregon Conference communication team was able to produce several of high-quality videos featuring dozens of local church members thanks to filmmaker and Springfield Adventist Church member, Nolan Williams. Following the theme, “The Word for All People,” these videos explored the languages, voices, and experiences of camp meeting goers young and old – from good-humored Pathfinders dressed as Pronto Pups, to the security team, volunteers, and even our main speaker, Andreas Beccai. Garnering thousands of views on social media, the videos sought to bring the sights, sounds, inspiration, and worship of camp meeting to those who could not attend in person.

Recently the Oregon Conference communication team had the opportunity to attend the North American Division’s Society of Adventist Communicators Conference in Orlando, Florida. They joined communication teams from other Seventh-day Adventist conferences, unions, divisions, and universities for a few days of training and sharing their own experiences. Every year at this event, an awards ceremony is hosted to celebrate high-quality media projects from across North America. This year, the Oregon Conference team submitted Nolan’s work from camp meeting.

Early in the ceremony, Nolan’s work won first place in the category of “Social Media Video,” and the team was excited to be able to accept on his behalf. Later that night, however, the announcement came that Nolan had won another award; the Reger Smith Cutting Edge Award! Given only once each year and spanning all categories of media and communication, the Reger Smith Cutting Edge Award celebrates media innovations that are pushing the church forward in quality, clarity, and effectiveness. This marks the second time in recent years that the Oregon Conference has taken this particular award home – most recently for producing the Bridges Over Walls podcast in 2023.

As Nolan was unable to attend the Society of Adventist Communicators event and had not yet been made aware of the news, an intimate surprise award ceremony was held at the Oregon Conference office on October 20th.

You can find all of Nolan’s camp meeting videos on our Oregon Conference Facebook or Instagram or learn more about his films by visiting www.tablfilms.com!

By Kaleb Eisele

Full article: www.oregonadventist.org/news/oregon-adventist-filmmaker-wins-cutting-edge-award

10/22/2026

10/16/2026

On Thursday night, October 15, a joint coalition of the Oregon Conference nominating and executive committees elected Jonathan Russell to serve as the new Vice President for Administration, filling the role vacated by Dr. Kara Johnsson.

Jonathan has ministered in the Oregon Conference for over 20 years, his experience spanning local church ministry, hospital chaplaincy, communications leadership, and serving as Assistant to the President since 2023. Jonathan’s leadership has had a notable impact on the Oregon Conference over the years. In his work with camp meeting planning, he oversaw the implementation of a 25% reduction in cost while maintaining a comparable experience to previous years. In his work as Assistant to the President for Communication, Jonathan built and streamlined the Media and Communication departments into a coordinated service team in order to meet the needs of local churches, departmental teams, and Oregon Conference administration. As Assistant to the President, he served a leading role in pastoral placement and in aiding congregations in conflict. Across multiple roles, Jonathan has developed and executed vital strategic and communication strategies in order to increase transparency during multiple crises and pivotal senior leadership changes.

Among his other new duties, Jonathan will step in to continue the preparations for Oregon Conference constituency session, which is scheduled for September 2027.

“Jonathan Russell’s leadership abilities have benefited the Oregon Conference sisterhood of churches in many ways, including in responding with creativity and clarity to the crisis experienced in 2024,” said Dr. John McVay, Oregon Conference President. “I am pleased that Jonathan is willing to step into yet another leadership role in service to us all and to our shared mission.”

Full article: https://www.oregonadventist.org/news/jonathan-russell-appointed-vp-for-administration

10/13/2026

Register by tomorrow, October 14th!

Faithful Living: Mastering Mission, Relationships & Wealth will take place in the Holden Center this Sunday! Featuring trusted leaders with an intentional focus on faithful stewardship, this event's speakers include: John McVay, Oregon Conference President; Michael Harpe, North American Division director of Stewardship; Larry Evans, former associate director for General Conference Stewardship; Tim Peterson, Oregon Conference Planned Giving & Trust Services director; Tino Tsikirai, Adventist Health Portland chaplain; Don Livesay, Oregon Conference former president; Eric Davis, Oregon Conference VP for Finance; and Erika Puni, Oregon Conference Stewardship director.

Registration for this event is $20 and includes session materials and lunch.

The day will begin in the Holden Center at 8:30 AM on October 18, with sessions that will include opportunities for discussion and Q&A. Lunch will be provided. The day will end at 4:00 PM. Come join us!

Register now at: orad.us/StewardshipSummit2026

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

In late August, pastors and church leaders from across the North Pacific Union gathered at Walla Walla University for the 2026 Ministerial Convention. Under the theme “It’s Beginning to Rain,” they spent time in worship, fellowship, and learning, seeking spiritual renewal and fresh inspiration for sharing Jesus.

Now you can listen to all six main presentations! These messages offer encouragement for anyone seeking to grow in faith, serve others, and share God’s love in their community.

🎧 Listen online: https://npuc-mincon.transistor.fm/

Whether you attended or are discovering these messages for the first time, we invite you to listen and share them with a friend.

via Northwest Adventists

10/07/2026

Walla Walla University will welcome homeschool juniors, seniors, and their families to campus Oct. 22–24 for Homeschool Preview Days, a weekend designed to help students explore their interests and experience college life firsthand.

Guests will attend a college class, tour campus, meet professors, and talk with admissions and financial advisers. Activities will introduce students to fields including engineering, aviation, visual arts, nursing, biology, health professions, drama, and theology. Families will also have opportunities to explore downtown Walla Walla and participate in worship and fellowship.

For WWU recruiter Noah Brown, the transition from homeschooling to college is a familiar one. Brown was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade and began taking college classes at age 16 through Washington state’s Running Start program. “Taking classes while only 16 years old was a big adjustment, and I had to learn quickly how to navigate the fast paced environment of college,” Brown said. Attending WWU brought additional changes, including in-person classes, campus employment, and a busy calendar of social activities. “What really helped me adjust quickly was the welcoming atmosphere of WWU—from professors who shared my faith to opportunities to get involved right away,” he said.

Brown believes the independence homeschool students develop can become an important advantage in college. “Homeschool students are independent and self-driven,” he said. “Since they’ve grown up in control of their own education, they’re able to easily adapt to new environments and excel in whatever field they choose.”

At WWU, homeschool graduates can combine that independence with a close-knit Christian community and personalized support. Small classes allow students to form relationships with professors, while academic advisers, the freshman mentor program, and JumpStart orientation help new students navigate academics and campus life. Students can also participate in clubs, worship, student government, and other leadership opportunities.

“The culture here at WWU encourages student involvement in spiritual, social, and club leadership, with many homeschoolers—including myself—getting heavily involved in student governance and spiritual leadership,” Brown said.

WWU President Alex Bryan has also seen homeschool graduates become active members of the campus community. “Homeschool students flourish here,” Bryan said. “Professionally, academically, socially, and most importantly, spiritually, each year, homeschool students on our campus add vibrant energy to our academic community.”

Families who register by Oct. 8 may receive lodging for up to two nights and as many as five meals. WWU will also reimburse half of the prospective student’s gas or airfare, up to $350, with airport transportation available from Walla Walla and Pasco.

Learn more and register at wallawalla.edu/homeschoolpreview.

via Walla Walla University

10/01/2026

Stewardship isn’t just about money. It encompasses everything God has entrusted us with! Learn how you can be a better steward of the mission, service, presence, justice, and finances God has given you at this important one-day event.

Faithful Living: Mastering Mission, Relationships & Wealth will feature trusted leaders with an intentional focus on faithful stewardship.

Our speakers will include: John McVay, Oregon Conference President; Michael Harpe, North American Division director of Stewardship; Larry Evans, former associate director for General Conference Stewardship; Tim Peterson, Oregon Conference Planned Giving & Trust Services director; Tino Tsikirai, Adventist Health Portland chaplain; Don Livesay, Oregon Conference former president; Eric Davis, Oregon Conference VP for Finance; and Erika Puni, Oregon Conference Stewardship director.

Registration for this event is $20 and includes session materials and lunch.

The day will begin at 8:30 AM on October 18, with sessions that will include opportunities for discussion and Q&A. Lunch will be provided. The day will end at 4:00 PM. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

This event will be held at the Holden Convention Center in Gladstone, Oregon.

Register now at: orad.us/StewardshipSummit2026

10/01/2026