Dr. John McVay has served as President of Walla Walla University (College Place, Wash.), Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.), professor of religion at Pacific Union College (Angwin, Calif.) and as a pastor in Iowa, Georgia, and California. John holds a Ph.D. in New Testament from England’s Sheffield University and authored the 2023 Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and companion book on Ephesians and the Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary on Ephesians.

John is passionate about the risen, exalted, and returning Jesus as the answer to life’s pressing issues. Born in Oregon to a pastor’s family and roaming the Gladstone Campground as a youngster, John is especially invested in the success of the Adventist message about Jesus in the Pacific Northwest.

John’s family includes his wife, Pam, children, Marshall McVay and Macy Weir, and four young grandchildren.    

Eric has devoted his entire professional career to serving the Lord and doing His work. Formerly the association treasurer of the Oregon Conference, associate treasurer for the Washington Conference and a General Conference auditor, he has developed a wide breadth of experience dealing with business-related matters in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 2023, Eric gladly accepted the Oregon Conference’s call to become Vice President for Finance.

Eric is also a complete product of Adventist education, from kindergarten through post-graduate studies. He received a Batchelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Financial Management from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee. He is also a certified public accountant (licensed, not currently practicing). In his spare time, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley and son, Theo. He also enjoys playing bluegrass music and road cycling.

Pastor Jonathan Russell believes that stories bring people together. That's why he loves telling the stories of God's leading in the lives of Oregon Conference members. He has the privilege of working with our Oregon Conference churches to place pastors that will provide care and minister to our local members. He also works with the conference communication team to enhance the ministry of local churches by providing timely, meaningful communication that inspires people and supports local ministry.

Before serving at the Oregon Conference, Pastor Jonathan served as a pastor in Oregon for over a decade.

He currently lives in Vancouver with his wife Jaclyn, three children, and a collection of family pets. When they're not serving a church community, they can be found reading books together, appreciating good music, playing in the yard or exploring the great Pacific Northwest.