The Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Pacific Union recently welcomed two new associate directors — Michael Peabody and Eliezer Benevides.

Peabody is a 2001 graduate of Pepperdine Law School and has practiced employment law for several years. Since January, he has been in Sacramento representing the Church before the legislature, monitoring bills in the five states of the Pacific Union and helping members with Sabbath and other religious liberty problems.

Peabody is also serving as executive director of NARLA-West, the regional chapter of the North American Religious Liberty Association, and has a special interest in building student chapters at Adventist and secular colleges and universities. Peabody replaces Bradford Newton, who now serves as president of the Nevada-Utah Conference.

Benevides joined the department in February on a part-time basis to assist members with Sabbath employment problems. He is a retired minister and formerly director of the Hispanic Ministries Department of the Pacific Union.

In addition to working with employers to obtain Sabbath accommodation for members, Benevides is eager to promote religious liberty in Hispanic churches. He succeeds Lou Ramirez.

Newton and Ramirez set a high standard both spiritually and professionally, which Peabody and Benevides are eager to continue.