Introducing Dr. Trevor O'Reggio

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Trevor O'Reggio has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Church History. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. O'Reggio has been asked to serve as director of the Center for Continuing Education in Ministry and of the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry program (subject to approval by the appropriate boards). Dr. O'Reggio has taught with us on a contract basis for several years and we already know him as a rewarding colleague who contributes in many ways to the Seminary's mission. We asked Dr. O'Reggio to share something of his personal history and testimony.

-- Dr. Trevor O'Reggio
Asst. Prof. of Church History

You are Invited!

Seminary Building Dedication Service
Sabbath, Oct. 6, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Pioneer Memorial Church

Seminary Building
Open House
Sabbath, Oct. 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Seminary Alumni Weekend
Oct. 4-6
(Email: alumni@andrews.edu or phone 616.471.3591)

This year's orientation weekend (Aug. 23-26) began and ended on a high note. The weekend was filled with exciting food events and programs.

The objective of new student orientation is fivefold: (1) getting the various assessment testing requirements out of the way; (2) providing essential information; (3) introduction of the student organizations, administrators, faculty, and staff; (4) making the first impressions of the seminary positive; and 5) providing food and mutual fellowship.

This last point is important because many students arrive on campus having left behind their friends and relatives, feeling somewhat defrocked, and with their belongings still in boxes. During the four days of orientation, we provided a total of three magnificent meals for the new students and their families, namely, the Friday night banquet, Sabbath lunch, and Sunday brunch. In addition, the student organizations provided a light supper on Saturday night.

Special thanks go to the Seminary administration for increased funding and to many others:

• Pastor Dwight Nelson for his heartfelt message on Friday morning
• Marilyn Bender, Secretary of the Theology Department, for organizing the Friday night banquet
• The professors of the Theology Department who helped set up for the banquet and cleaned up afterwards
• Dr. Skip Bell for his effective planning and avuncular hosting of the encounter sessions, Friday evening sharing time, and Sabbath School
• Dr. Lilianne Doukhan for designing a very attractive and inspiring Sabbath Worship Service
• Dr. John McVay for giving all of us an uplifting experience through his insightful Sabbath message
• Mrs. Cynthia Burrill and the Women's Ministries team for preparing a delicious Sabbath luncheon
• Monte Robison, Charleen Rogers, Kymone Hinds, and Denis Sand for their leadership in putting together a delightful Saturday night meal, vesper, and social
• Mrs. Rebecca May of the Alumni office and the staff from the Advancement office for putting together an elegant and memorable Sunday morning Brunch in the big tent
• Mareli Nunes, Secretary of the New Testament Department whose tireless effort made it possible for all the loose elements of the orientation program to hang together.

Last, but not least, I want to thank everyone whose name is not mentioned here but who either took part in the orientation program or lent invisible hand.

We welcome our scores of new students in the name of the Lord.

-- Dr. Richard Choi, Director of Orientation

Sunday Morning Brunch in the Big Tent

Clark Pinnock Lecture
"What should we think about the open view of God?"
Sunday, September 23, 7:00 p.m., Chemistry Amphitheater

Dr. Clark Pinnock
(Picture used by permission of McMaster Divinity College)

We are pleased to announce the visit of noted theologian, Dr. Clark Pinnock, to the Andrews University campus. Dr. Pinnock has agreed to lecture on Sunday evening, September 23, 7:00 p.m. on the topic, ""What should
we think about the open view of God?" The lecture, on a theme of current interest, will be held in the Chemistry Amphitheater. Dr. Fernando Canale, Professor of Theology and Philosophy, will provide a response to the lecture while the event will be hosted by Dr. Denis Fortin, Seminary Associate Dean.

Dr. Pinnock serves as Professor of Systematic Theology at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canda. Among Pinnock's many publications is the book Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit (InterVarsity Press, 1996) which won a place near the top of the "the best books of the year" in Christianity Today (April 27, 1997).

Members of the University community as well as the wider Michiana community are invited to participate in this event.

An Interview with
Seminarians Jose and Ann Roda Hernandez

On Sabbath, Sept. 1, Pastor Esther Knott conducted an interview with Pastors Jose and Ann Roda Hernandez as part of the worship services at Pioneer Memorial Church. We know that Moving Times readers will by inspired by reading the interview. Pastor Knott's words appear in italics.

This morning we are going to be hearing the story of Jose and Ann Roda Hernandez. They are now part of our campus community, but in 1995 they were living in Washington, D.C. where Ann grew up. She was a program manager working for a health care organization. She had been there for 15 years (she's older than she looks). She said the job was a perfect fit. She was making lots of money. And she was consumed with her career. She was attending the University of Maryland and she had just six more classes to go to finish her masters degree in health care administration.

Ann, you were sitting in class one day and you heard a voice. What did that voice say to you?

This voice said, "This is not where you are to be. I have something else in mind for you."

She did not talk to Jose about this. And then what happened?

Well, I left class and floundered for a couple of weeks. And then Satan threw something at me--an extremely lucrative promotion. And I got caught up in that promotion and life went back to normal.

You said it required 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

. . . And a lot of compromise on Sabbath.

Well, two years went by and she went back and enrolled in a masters program. This time you were not sitting in the classroom, but standing in a registration line.

And the voice came again, "This is not where you are to be. I have something else in mind for you."

TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW,
CLICK HERE

Gala Opening, Aug. 29, 8:00 a.m.
All pictures by Jon Paulien

On the morning of Aug. 29, a half hour before the first classes were held in the new Seminary Building complex, the University community gathered for a Gala Opening. Accompanied by the rich tones of a trombone quartet, hundreds of students, faculty, and staff members assembled at the north entrance. In a brief speech, University President Dr. Niels-Erik Andreasen welcomed the attendees to the building, thanked those who contributed to its construction, and invited Seminary students and faculty to make good use of this new resource in fulfilling the institution's mission. Following Dr. Andreasen's speech, the group was led in prayers of thanksgiving by faculty member Roy Gane and student Elena Toews. A simple ribbon-cutting ceremony followed as students filed in to attend the first day of classes.

--The Trombone Quartet Performs

As we walk into our dream, crossing the threshold of a new era for the Seminary, we pause and look up to thank you. Thank you for the multitude of dedicated people whose coordinated efforts have translated this dream into reality piece by piece. As in the days of Moses, Solomon, and Nehemiah, you have put it in the hearts, heads, and hands of your people to build for the present and for the future.

This is not a temple with priests or a city with walls, but we do ask for it your blessings of biblical proportions. We do not expect to see a flash of fire from heaven to ignite a literal altar. But we know that here, by your Spirit, you will light fires in human hearts and minds, which will never be extinguished.

May we always remember where the fire comes from. May no strange fire ever enter this place. But may this be a house of prayer and learning for leaders of all nations, for officers in your army, training to wage your love in the world.

At this time of renewal, we rededicate ourselves along with this structure. Like sacrifices of old, it is our gift to you and your gift to us. We come to you along with the gift, to you, enthroned upon the cherubim.

Our wandering is over. We have a home. We rejoice as we enter. Thank you, Lord.

-- Dr. Roy Gane, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages,
Praying at the Gala Opening

-- Dr. Roy Gane Prays at the Gala Opening