Last fall, Conference leaders announced a strategic realignment of Conference ministry to meet continued financial challenges. One of the cornerstones of the realignment was to bring together various ministry departments under the co-leadership of Jana Lee and Jason Calvert. In the ensuing months, the team has been hard at work to further develop the vision and clarify how Conference ministry leadership and support will continue.
Central to the vision: Church Ministries leaders are directing focused attention to supporting and engaging local church ministry. For 2025, the ministry approach is rooted in conversations with local church leaders. Starting from the question, “How can we help?” Jason and Jana are listening carefully and collaborating with local church leaders to identify how Conference resources can be most helpful to the local church in our new reality. In addition, a key piece of the strategy is identifying the wealth of ministry expertise already available within our Conference (and beyond) so that churches can be connected to existing resources as needed.
The uncomfortable truth: With less staff and smaller budgets, the Oregon Conference won’t be able to do everything we’ve always done in the same way it’s been done over the years. Instead, the team is committed to vision new ways to support, resource, and encourage ministries, while stewarding available resources to make the biggest possible impacts for local communities.
While Jason and Jana may not say a lot publicly for a while, they’ll continue connecting person by person, and church by church to support ministry leaders and connect them to the people and resources that can help them thrive.
In addition to this visioning and support focus, the Church Ministries team is coordinating various networking and training events including:
- NPUC Adventist Community Services directors gathered at Gladstone for department meetings.
- Pathfinder Bible Achievement coincided with NPUC coordinators’ training weekend, planned and facilitated by the Church Ministries team.
- Oregon Prayer Conference with Dr. Richard Davidson
- Junior High and High School Bible Camps coming this fall.
- Various Women’s Ministries training events and retreats.
- Upcoming Pathfinder Fair, Pathfinder Camporee, and various leadership training events.
To support our co-directors, others have also come on board to help with ministry in some key areas.
Jackee Duvall is familiar to Pathfinders and Adventurers because she has been the administrative assistant for club ministries, planning events and caring for details for years. As a Church Ministries team member, Jackee has embraced the role of Club Ministries executive coordinator. As executive coordinator, Jackee will be the point person for club ministries, making sure that camporees, training events, and other club activities will carry on.
Tawny Sportsman (Cottage Grove Church) is the director of Take Heart Ministry and has volunteered to coordinate women’s ministry and prayer ministry for the Oregon Conference. We’re thankful that Tawny has stepped forward as volunteer coordinator for these ministry events.
ENGAGEMENT CULTURE
As the world changes, the need for each member to be engaged in God’s kingdom work is clearer than it has ever been. Church Ministries exists to help facilitate the connections and giftedness that God has given his church through the many talented and passionate members we have in the Oregon Conference. This is the heart of “engagement culture.” While there are already many dedicated leaders within local churches, Church Ministries is built on the premise that broader active participation and connection among church members are pivotal for a vibrant religious community. By promoting an environment where every member feels valued and involved, they aim to cultivate a sense of belonging and mutual support.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the year unfolds, Jana and Jason will continue to refine the Church Ministries vision in collaboration with Administration and the Oregon Conference Executive Committee. Their commitment to listening, adapting, and fostering connections will help to re-calibrate how Conference ministry interacts with local churches, seeking to support in new ways. Are you a ministry leader in your church? Don’t hesitate to reach out to the church ministries team to dream together where God is leading your ministry in your church community.
