The Oregon Conference has welcomed a few new team members over the past few months as some of our departments have adapted to transitions and retirements.

On the Gladstone Park Conference Center team, Dustin Schaber has taken on a newly created role as associate director following the retirement of Matt Ballard. The position was created through a restructuring of the Oregon Conference maintenance department which included Kevin Smith’s move to the director position. The role includes overseeing the maintenance of campus buildings, groundskeeping, mechanical work and vehicle upkeep, and team leadership. Dustin joins the Oregon Conference most recently from Mt. Ellis Academy in Montana, where he served as vice principal for finance and oversaw maintenance of their facilities. His work experience also includes Sunset Lake Youth Camp and maintenance service at Walla Walla University.

Debra Christensen has begun her new role as associate director for Planned Giving and Trust Services. Debra returns to Oregon Conference employment after serving as an auditor for the Upper Columbia Conference for the past several years. She has served as treasurer for the Hood View Church for over 20 years, and worked as an auditor here in the Oregon Conference from 2017-2021. Her experience also includes work as a senior accountant for Planar Systems in Beaverton, Oregon.

Pastor Rodney Valentine, who began serving as senior pastor at the Sharon and Your Bible Speaks Seventh-day Adventist Churches this summer, has also taken on the role of director for Regional Ministries. He joins the Oregon Conference most recently from serving as senior pastor for the Shiloh and Highland Crest Adventist Churches in Kansas. Pastor Valentine served in the United States Air Force, and has led numerous evangelistic series throughout his ministry.

Dr. Erika Puni, senior pastor at the Rockwood Seventh-day Adventist Church, has stepped in as Stewardship director for the Oregon Conference in addition to his pastoral duties. Dr. Puni brings with him a wealth of experience in ministry, academia, and finance, having formerly served as stewardship director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and leading in a variety of roles across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

We’re so thankful for the willingness of each of these leaders to take on these important responsibilities here in the Oregon Conference.