Alison graduated from Western Oregon University in 2011 with her Bachelors in Psychology and in 2013 with her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. She currently works as a Qualified Mental Health Professional on the Marion County Crisis Outreach Response Team. Alison works in collaboration with local law enforcement to provide outreach to individuals who have contact with law enforcement and may be experiencing mental health concerns, with the goal of providing them with referrals and resource information. Alison also provides trainings to law enforcement and local agencies on de-escalation and how to interact with people experiencing a mental health crisis.

André serves as General Counsel for the North Pacific Union Conference and is an adjunct instructor of Business Law at Mt. Hood Community College. A violinist since the age of 6, he plays with the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra as its principal second violinist. A product of Adventist education, André attended Portland Adventist Elementary School, Auburn Adventist Academy and holds his B.A. from Pacific Union College. He holds his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Anne has been working as a Public Health Nurse for Clark County Public Health for the last 23 years serving vulnerable families through a variety of programs such as nurse home visiting, community engagement efforts, and communicable disease. Using her knowledge and expertise, she has successfully launched a monthly meeting called “Faith-Based Coffee” which has allowed unique partnerships between public health, faith communities, schools and other social services agencies to grow and blossom and make a difference in Clark County.

Beckie J. Pettis is a partner attorney for Phelan Webber Pettis P.S.  Attorney Pettis has been admitted to practice in Washington and the Federal District Court of the Western District of Washington.  Attorney Pettis has a passion for helping people with estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianship and the special planning needs of seniors and persons with disabilities.  She is a graduate of Judson College and the University of Alabama School of Law.  Attorney Pettis also studied law internationally at the Australian National University, and spent several years advocating for the interests of elderly and disabled persons in institutional care.

Belinda Rodriguez, daughter of missionary parents, is passionate about the Gospel. She served next to her husband, Pastor Samuel Castro, then in 2016, Belinda was called to ministry as an associate pastor. Today she serves the Hispanic churches of Vancouver, Woodland, and Kelso-Longview. She is a graduate of the University of Montemorelos, with a degree in theology and a master’s degree in family relations.

*Part of the Treasury Team

Brent Plubell has served in various roles on the Oregon Conference Treasury Team since 2012.

Pastor Charles White, Great-grandson of James and Ellen White, grew up in Mountain View, California. He attended Pacific Union College and received a BA in Theology; then went to Andrews University where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He has pastored churches in Central California, Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Arizona. In July of 2015 he completed serving as the senior pastor of the Camelback Adventist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Charles and his wife, Dianne, have ministered there for over 15 years. Together they have five children and ten grandchildren.

Cindy was a church clerk at Tabernacle Church in Portland for many years both before, and after the introduction of eAdventist. She has worked at the Oregon Conference for nearly three years, first as referencing specialist for Risk Management and now as Conference clerk and executive assistant to the VP of Administration. In her "spare time" she enjoys serving as an Earliteen teacher at church, home and school leader at her kids' school and spending time with her husband, kids and friends.

*Part of the Treasury Team

Crystal Kielman has been with the Oregon Conference Treasury Team the last 3 years, serving in various roles as Assistant Treasurer.

Curtis is a community psychologist specializing in upstream prevention and health promotion. He is a trauma informed speaker, consultant and evaluator for programs, organizations and communities focused on building connectedness. He lives in Clark County, Washington with his wife of 29 years. He has two grown children and loves to read, run, ride and work with wood or motorcycles.

Dan Linrud was born and raised in Washington. At a young age, he sensed God's call to pastoral ministry and attended Canadian Union College (now Burman University) where he earned a bachelor of theology. In 2005, Dan earned a doctor of ministry, and in 2009 he was called to serve a vice president for administration in the Ontario Conference. Having served throughout Canada and the Pacific Northwest, he accepted the invitation in 2013 to return to the Northwest to serve as assistant to the president in the Oregon Conference. At the 2017 constituency session, Dan was officially voted as president of the Oregon Conference. Dan and his wife, Verlaine, enjoy many activities with their two grown daughters including outdoor activities, travel, reading, sports, good food and fellowship.

Growing up in a family of generational poverty and trauma, Delena understands firsthand the way trauma and toxic stress can impact our brain, behavior, and relationships. Despite these challenges, she received support that allowed her to find connection, community, and become a regional leader in trauma and resilience work. Over the last two decades, Delena has combined expertise with real life to create conversations about how all of us can bring our whole selves into the world - to heal, to help, and to love with intention. Her Interactive workshops and engaging training style allow professionals and people from all walks of life to understand how to help kids and families build healthy connection and grow through adversity. To learn more about Delena's work, visit: www.way-enough.com.

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Pedrito Maynard-Reid is Assistant to the President for Diversity at Walla Walla University. He has also been Professor of Biblical Studies and Missiology in the School of Theology since 1990. In addition to his theological training, Pedrito is an accomplished musician with degrees in piano performance from Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. He is the author of many publications. He is also one of the authors of the Andrews Study Bible; and is presently writing another commentary on James for the SDA International Bible Commentary series. Pedrito is an international person in soul and spirit. He has lectured and served in every continent and region of the world except Antarctica – which was on his bucket list until Christmas 2017 when he stepped on that continent! He is married to Violet Maynard-Reid, former Librarian at West Indies College, Antillian University, and Walla Walla University. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Stan Hudson was captured by Hollywood’s positive images of science. Having been introduced to rockhounding as a youth, he enrolled as a geology major at the University of California at Riverside. After experiencing some disappointments and challenges to his worldview, he became a Christian and enrolled at Loma Linda University as a theology major, completing a bachelor’s degree there. He went on to earn a master of divinity degree from Andrews Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

However, he never lost his love for earth sciences and issues related to origins. He is co-host of nationally-syndicated LifeTalk Radio’s “Sink the Beagle,” a lighthearted look at the subject of creationism and evolutionism. A resource person for the Adventist church on origin issues sometimes involving television, Dr. Hudson lectures widely to groups, both secular and religious. He is married to Cynthia, a registered dietician, and they have two children. He currently serves the North Pacific Union Conference as the director of their new Creation Study Center.

Fernando is passionate about the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual development of our youth. He loves preaching and teaching about Jesus and his mission. He currently works as the Community Outreach Coordinator in the Oregon Conference Education Department. He has a BA in Theology/Youth Ministry from Andrews University, and an MA in Intercultural Studies/Youth, Family, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary. Fernando is also passionate about music and is a worship leader. He is happily married to Yarely and they have a daughter, Valerie.

Gary Parks leads the Oregon Conference Relational Ministries department and believes in the transformational power of relationships and their capacity to save for Jesus. Gary's many years of ministry have been filled by a passion for Jesus and helping people realize the freedom He offers. His experience as a senior and youth pastor gives him a unique perspective. His other passions include his family, music, biking and living life to the fullest.

Glen, as a Planned Giving Consultant/Trust Officer, has assisted Oregon Conference church members with estate planning matters since 1993.  He and his wife, Marybeth, are blessed to have one great-granddaughter, two sons, three grandchildren and hundreds of mason bees!

*Part of the Treasury Team

Jon Holland recently joined the Treasury team after serving as a Pastor for 5 years, most recently in Klamath Falls.

Dr. Choe is a board-certified ophthalmologist from Vancouver, WA. She is a plant-based health enthusiast whose own health journey caused her to see the immense need for education about the rapidly growing problem of gut permeability, its causes, and its consequences. You can read her blog and check out her free tips and videos at drjoycechoe.com.

Pastor Kara is passionate about building communities who experience God’s Kingdom now: sharing life together and being a blessing in the wider community. Originally from Australia, she is married to Dr. Terry Johnsson and they love the adventure of a life journeyed with God. She serves as an associate pastor at Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist church in Portland, Ore.

Karen L. Webber is a partner attorney for Phelan Webber Pettis P.S. Attorney Webber has been admitted to practice law in the states of Washington and Oregon. She received her Juris Doctorate and tax certificate from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College and she has earned the designation of CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney), by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Karina (Kari) Sheldon serves as assistant pastor of East Salem Adventist Church in Salem, Ore. She recently graduated from seminary, but hails from Tennessee. Her passion is helping others develop their relationship with Jesus and she is dedicated to sharing her love for Jesus through her testimony.

*Part of the Treasury Team

Kody Hendrickson serves as our Moving Services Director and had previously served as the Jewel Support contact, serving here in the Oregon Conference the past 4 years.

From the sounds of grand opera to the stages of Southern Gospel, Grammy winner Larry Ford has found audiences responding to his commanding voice. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Larry’s work has taken him around the U.S. and from the far reaches of Seoul, Korea to the southern hemisphere’s Spanish speaking countries. Larry has been a pilot – a pastor – and all of his life, a worshipper. Learn more about Larry at www.larryford.com.

A 1991 graduate of Loma Linda University, Lee obtained his JD from Willamette University in 1994.  He took a break from law to teach English in Korea and Japan for several years before returning to practice law in Oregon as a general practitioner, then in the regulation of adult care homes for Multnomah County.  Since 2004, Lee has practiced as a solo practitioner in Portland, with an emphasis on estate planning and probate matters.

Leslie has over 20 years of experience in both non-profit and corporate accounting. As the Conference’s association treasurer and certified trust officer, she enjoys helping people find unique ways to reach their gift-giving goals. Outside of the office, Leslie enjoys spending time with her two daughters and dog, and is actively involved in Adventurers and Pathfinders.

Mark Witas is the lead pastor at Sunnyside Adventist Church in Portland. His passion is revealing the loving character of God and fostering a healthy church community. He loves sharing the message of God’s character through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as taught in the gospels.

Martin and Alina van Rensburg have the privilege of serving in young adult ministry in South Queensland, Australia. Martin owns a marketing and strategy consultancy, while Alina is a pastor with a focus on engaging churches in the ‘Growing Young’ paradigm.  

They both have a passion for the local church and raising up the next generation as Spirit-fllled disciple-makers. They have a heart for building up life groups, transforming church culture and multiplying leaders. In their down time, they love spending time with family, traveling and exploring new cafes together.

Pastor Moe Stiles and her husband Adrian Stiles moved to the Oregon Conference from Melbourne, Australia in 2017. She serves as the senior pastor of Oasis Christian Center, an Adventist congregation based in Vancouver Washington.

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Treasury team presenting: Brent Plubell, Kody Hendrickson, Jon Holland, and Crystal Kielman. For more about each speaker see their individual speaker listing on this page.

Wendy Witas most recently was the Family Pastor at Pacific Union College Church. She is currently the Associate Director of Children’s Ministries in the Oregon Conference.  Pastor Wendy has a passion for children and brain research that relates to spiritual development in children. She is a musician, writer, wife, mother, and animal lover.

Patty Marsh has served as director of Adventist Community Services and Disaster Response, Children’s and Women’s Ministries for Upper Columbia Conference for the last eleven years. She lives in awe of how God works when we step into our communities with a passion for touching lives like Jesus did. Her family, anything nature, travel, reading, people and digging in God’s Word gives Patty special joy!

Ron is a Physical Therapist, Researcher and Clinical Instructor with over 30 years of work experience. He currently works at the Portland VA Medical Center specializing in Parkinson’s, Geriatrics and Fall-Prevention. He also teaches Geriatric Care at OHSU.

Sean Bellman joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 2010 thanks to the ministry of It Is Written. Since then Sean has been working for the Lord in diverse ministries, including managing the ABC stores in New England and New York. Presently, he is a valued member of the It Is Written team as one of their field representatives. Sean works throughout the Mountain West and Northwest regions of the United States. He and his wife Julia live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Wes Fitzwater is a partner in the law firm of Fitzwater Meyer Hollis & Marmion, LLP.  Wes focuses on the crisis issues faced by the elderly and their families, including incapacity, guardianship and conservatorship, long-term care, and end-of-life concerns.  He is co-editor of the Oregon State Bar publication entitled The Elder Law Handbook.  Born and raised in Oregon, Wes comes from a family of attorneys.  He hold a B.S. from Willamette University in Salem and a J.D. from the University of Puget Sound, School of Law.