Benjamin Lundquist serves as the associate pastoral ministries director for the Oregon Conference and a leading voice for leadership development and empowerment for today’s generation. He is passionate about helping everyone see their worth and value, crush their limiting beliefs, and lead with excellence. He also hosts the Rise and Lead podcast. Benjamin is as an inspirational force and role model for anyone seeking to find their identity and purpose in God.

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We couldn’t be more excited to host Loma Linda University Campus Chaplain, Dr. Dilys Brooks, as our featured speaker.

A board-certified chaplain with a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from Claremont School of Theology, she brings extensive experience in spiritual care and education to her role. She teaches courses in Christian healthcare and professional development, in addition to speaking across Europe, Australia, and the United States.

Dr. Brooks holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Divinity from Andrews University, and has spent eleven years in Christian and public education. She is married to Dr. Delroy Brooks, associate pastor at the Kansas Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, and is mother to two sons. An avid gardener and crafting enthusiast, she lives by the principle “Seek First God” from Matthew 6:33.

Emily Kuchurivski, originally from Ontario, Canada, recently graduated from La Sierra University with a BA in Religious Studies. As a pastor and hospital chaplain in training, she is passionate about helping others navigate on their spiritual journeys and encounter God for themselves. She brings a unique blend of compassion, creativity, and curiosity to her ministry. She has traveled throughout the world, with her most recent travel that involved volunteering with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in South Africa. Emily is committed to building meaningful connections and bringing a sense of peace and presence to those she serves.

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Erika Puni currently serves as the pastor of the Rockwood Adventist Church in Portland, Ore. With a rich ministry background serving in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, Dr. Puni brings experience in church leadership, pastoral ministry, academia, and stewardship education. Prior to his current role, he served as a theology lecturer at Avondale University in Australia, and as stewardship director for the General Conference. Dr. Puni holds degrees from Loma Linda University (M.A. in Religion) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A. in Missiology, Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies). He is passionate about equipping church leaders and members to embrace biblical stewardship as a transformative, missional calling.

George Gainer has been privileged to serve as a youth pastor, Bible teacher, academy-college-hospital chaplain, and senior pastor. Following his retirement from serving the Pleasant Valley Church in Happy Valley, Ore., he said yes to an invitation to serve as senior ambassador for ADRA, opening the door for him to continue sharing the Gospel in the Pacific Northwest. George and Leanne have been married 48 years and are blessed with three children and 10 grandchildren.

George Knight has served the church as a pastor, university professor, school administrator, and an elementary and secondary teacher. His last assignment was the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University where he taught church history. He has authored over 50 books and edited another 40 on topics like Biblical and theological studies, Adventist history, Ellen White studies, and the philosophy of education. Now retired in Rogue River, George and his wife Bonnie have four children, a whole flock of grandkids and even a couple of the great grandchild variety.

Glen has been part of the Oregon Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services Department for over 30 years – assisting our members with estate planning and related financial matters.  He enjoys tending an orchard and veggie garden, and employs mason bees as assistants.  He and wife Marybeth have two granddaughters, and three great granddaughters.

With over 20 years in ministry and more than a decade working with children and families, Jana Lee brings a deep passion for helping churches connect with the next generation. As an experienced coach, leader, and speaker, she is committed to equipping faith communities with practical tools to engage families in meaningful ways. A mom to two teenage boys, Jana is navigating the challenges of raising kids in a rapidly changing world—an experience that fuels her insights into what it means to live out Adventist faith today.

Jason currently serves as director of Church Ministries for the Oregon Conference. For more than 20 years, his passion for authentic, growing, and thriving youth and young adult ministries, has led him to serve as a high school Bible teacher, academy campus chaplain, youth pastor, and young adult pastor. Jason is a dynamic and enthusiastic speaker who loves to intentionally revitalize and create local church cultures where youth and young adults can connect and engage with each other, their communities, and most importantly God.

John McVay currently serves as president of the Oregon Conference. From 2006-2024, he served as president of Walla Walla University. Earlier, he served as a pastor in the U.S., a faculty member at Pacific Union College, and dean of the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He holds a PhD in New Testament studies from the University of Sheffield (UK) and regularly writes on the Epistle to the Ephesians and the theme of the church in the New Testament. John and his wife Pam have two grown children, Marshall McVay and Macy Weir, both pastors.

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.

Pastor Jose St. Phard is the lead pastor of Oasis Christian Center in Vancouver, Wash. A passionate communicator, leadership coach, and content creator, he is committed to helping people reimagine God and live transformed lives. With over 15 years of experience in ministry, Jose blends biblical insight with practical application to connect with audiences of all ages. He is also the host of The Deep Dive podcast, designed for leaders, dreamers, and changemakers aiming to make a lasting impact in the church, business, and culture. Jose is married to his best friend, Tiffany, and they are the proud parents of two young children.

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Kandyce King is an alumna of Walla Walla University where she earned her commercial art degree in 2007. She has faced a challenging journey with her own mental health and has discovered art to be a powerful healing force. Recently, Kandyce completed her Clinical Pastoral Education training at Adventist Health Portland and now serves as a Chaplain at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, Oregon. In her free time, Kandyce enjoys spending time in nature, praying, painting, reading, writing, and traveling.

Dr. Kara Johnsson has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various roles over the past 20 years, including teaching, chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, and now as Oregon Conference VP for Administration/Executive Secretary. She holds degrees in both education and theology, and a doctorate in leadership from George Fox University. Born in Australia, Kara was raised in a family committed to serving God wherever He called. Her childhood included many years in Papua New Guinea where her parents served as missionaries. She grew up with a strong sense of God’s calling on her life, and an appreciation for diverse cultures.  A lover of God and people, Kara is passionate about building communities who experience God’s Kingdom now: sharing life together and being a blessing in the wider community. She is married to Dr. Terry Johnsson and they love the adventure of a life journeyed with God.

Kenton Gonzalez currently serves as the associate pastor of the Medford Adventist church. He loves to read, play games, and eat food! He's been living in Medford since 2023 with his wife, Kayla, young son, and dog, Daisy. He's also fond of Costa Rican tamales, Spider-man, and helping people find a closer relationship with Jesus!

Kessia Reyne Bennett is the lead pastor of Pleasant Valley Adventist Church in Happy Valley, Ore., where she serves and worships with her husband and two daughters. Kessia Reyne came to know the Lord and the Advent message right here in the Oregon Conference. She has since pastored in Michigan and Nebraska, and earned an M.Div. and Ph.D. in theology. Kessia Reyne is known as an energetic preacher who thinks deeply and loves God's Word.

Kody has served the Oregon Conference treasury department for more than 10 years, working to help to improve and adapt the church as we modernize our financial infrastructure. As the conference’s association treasurer, he is looking forward to helping members find unique ways to reach their gift-giving goals. Kody is proud to have found his calling spreading God’s message working at the conference. Outside of the office, Kody enjoys miniature-scale modeling, working on classic cars, and spending time with his wife Stephanie.

Larry Witzel, PhD, MBA, is the founder and president of SermonView, a marketing and technology company helping churches grow through digital evangelism and local outreach. He also directs the Propel Conference, a premier annual event for church growth, and serves on the North Pacific Union Conference Executive Committee.

Nate Hellman serves as the director for Oregon Conference Pastoral Ministries, where he draws on years of experience pastoring in a variety of church settings. He is passionate about helping people discover their God-given potential and become fully devoted disciples of Jesus. Nate is a dedicated mentor, leader, and disciple-maker. Outside of ministry, Nate enjoys birding and illustration, and lives in Boring, Ore., where he enjoys life with his wife Emily and their four children.

Rick Jordan currently serves as associate director for Oregon Conference Planned Giving & Trust Services. Prior to joining the Planned Giving, he served in the Oregon Conference Ministerial Department after pastoring churches in Alaska, Washington and Potomac Conferences. Rick and his wife Beth love spending time with their four children and five grandchildren.

Pastor Robert Zama serves as the media evangelist for Hope Channel Canada and is the host of the program More to Life. He currently is acting as the North American Division’s representative for Canada in the Pentecost 2025 initiative. Before his current role, he served as evangelist and associate director of Evangelism in the Oregon Conference. Born in Romania, he grew up and pastored in Southern Ontario, where he now lives with his wife, Alina, and daughter. Pastor Zama is passionate about evangelism and equipping churches to share Jesus in relevant ways with their communities.

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Rochelle serves as assistant director for Ultimate Mission. She leads the EveryGirl project—an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about period poverty and empowering girls through education and support. Her background as both a CNA and a teacher have given her a strong foundation in compassionate care, education, and practical service—skills she now uses to uplift and equip communities around the world.

Seth Cantu serves as the pastor of the Adventist Church in Madras, Ore., where he also works in church planting and training efforts focused on Indigenous ministries. Pastor Cantu's calling to serve Indigenous communities was shaped by a personal loss—the inability to communicate with his grandparents as an adult before they were taken by Alzheimer’s and dementia. The wisdom, stories, and traditions that were lost sparked in him a lifelong commitment to cultural preservation, intergenerational learning, and spiritual healing. As a man of White Mountain Apache heritage, Pastor Cantu is passionate about empowering Indigenous youth to reconnect with their spiritual and cultural roots, and to cherish the voices of their elders.

Seth Pierce is lead pastor of Sunnyside Adventist Church in Portland, Ore. He holds a Ph.D. in communication, focusing on religious rhetoric and media. Prior to his current role, Seth served as associate professor at Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Neb. In addition to being a pastor, Seth currently hosts the Beast & Bible podcast, sponsored by Adventist Learning Community and is an adjunct religion professor at Walla Walla University. He lives in Gresham, Ore., with his lovely wife Angela, and three amazing daughters.

Board-certified chaplain Sidany Barclay has more than a decade of experience collaborating with healthcare teams to provide a compassionate presence during times of crisis and healing. Committed to fostering emotional wellness and spiritual growth, she cultivates spaces where individuals can encounter the restorative presence of God. In addition to her clinical ministry, she is the author of Letters to my Girls, a devotional designed to nurture faith-centered connections between mothers and daughters.

Tammey Steenson serves as membership clerk and risk managament assistant for the Oregon Conference. She has been lovingly encouraging, training, and assisting church clerks in the Oregon Conference for past two years. Her passion is to empower church members to reach higher in their service to others. Equipping lay people and edifying the body of Christ.

Ted is a Planned Giving and Trust Services advisor certified by the Seventh-day Adventist church. He has served Oregon Conference church members since 2014.

Currently serving as director of Oregon Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services, Tim came to this ministry about 10 years ago after pastoring for 28 years in four different unions. This year Tim will turn 65. (Find out why this could be relevant by attending his class called “Longevity and Legacy”). He has been married to his wife, Sylvia for nearly 43 years. Together they have a daughter who is a nurse and a son who is a mechanical engineer. Tim enjoys working outside on his place in the woods.

Ty serves as speaker/director for Light Bearers. A passionate communicator with a message that opens minds and moves hearts, Ty teaches on a variety of topics, emphasizing God’s unfailing love as the central theme of the Bible. He has authored eight best-selling books. Ty and his wife Sue have three adult children and two grandsons.