Seven SECC employees were among more than 50 women pastors, chaplains and church leaders who met in St. Louis during the General Conference session. In addition to Southeastern California, participants came from such places as Africa, Albania, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, and the U.S.

The North American Division (NAD) sponsored the luncheon and get-acquainted conversation. The event was organized by Dúane Schoonard, NAD associate ministerial secretary, and associate pastor, Collegedale church, Tenn. SECC attendees included: Yami Bazan, associate youth director; Raewyn Hankins, assistant pastor, Chula Vista; Leah Jordache, associate pastor, Loma Linda; Genevieve Koh, associate pastor, Garden Grove; Penny Shell, pastor for nurture, La Sierra; Sandra Roberts, SECC executive secretary; and Kit Watts, assistant to the president for communication.

SECC Supports "Women and the Word" Seminar

The earliest Seventh-day Adventists took the prophetic words of Joel and Peter—“and your daughters shall prophesy”—personally. They encouraged and endorsed many women to speak and evangelize. Does the prophecy have a once-only fulfillment? Or does it also apply to Adventists today?

Thirty SECC pastors and administrators focused on this question with 80 other attendees during the eighth “Women and the Word” seminar in Riverside Oct. 21-22. The event was co-sponsored by the La Sierra University Women’s Resource Center and the La Sierra University church.

Presenters included religion professors from Loma Linda University — Carla Gober, Ivan Blazen, and Lou Venden; the director of GC archives and statistics — Bert Haloviak; the president of Kettering College of Medical Arts — Charles Scriven; professor of theology at La Sierra University — Fritz Guy; and four young women pastors and leaders — Andrea King, Marlene Ferreras, Yami Bazan and Chris Oberg.