Watch Videos of the Columbia Union Evangelism Workshop

February 25-28, 2024, pastors from around the Columbia Union Conference gathered for an evangelism workshop. Watch the livestream of the main session speakers on YouTube or Facebook.

Sunday evening starting at 7:10 p.m.
Monday at 8:25 a.m.
Monday at 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.

Plenary Speakers Include

Jiří Moskala
Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary 

Jiří Moskala, M.Th., Th.D., Ph.D., is dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University and professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology. He joined the faculty in 1999. Prior to this appointment, Moskala served in various capacities in the Czech Republic, including ordained pastor, administrator, teacher and principal. 

He is a member of different theological societies and has authored or edited a number of articles and books in the Czech and English languages. In addition, he has participated in several archaeological expeditions in Tell Jalul, Jordan.

Debleaire Snell
Senior pastor of the Oakwood University Church and speaker/director of Breath of Life Television Ministries 

Over the years, Debleaire Snell, M.Div, has served as youth pastor, lead and senior pastor, led a two-church district—overseeing hundreds of baptisms.

Pastor Snell is also the author of seven books, including, Kindle best-seller, Get Unrealistic, Almost Home, New Normals, Leap Year and Making Christianity Great Again. 

 

Pavel Goia
Associate Director of General Conference Ministerial Association and Editor of Ministry Magazine

Pavel Goia was born in Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania and is an associate director of the General Conference Ministerial Association and editor of Ministry magazine. Together with Kelly Mowrer, he authored In The Spirit and Power, which emphasizes the vital need for prayer, revival and full commitment to God’s service.

 

 

 

Roger Hernandez
Ministerial and Evangelism Director for the Southern Union Conference 

Roger Hernandez has served in ministry for more than 30 years. One of seven pastors in his family, Hernandez received his bachelor’s degree in Theology as a graduate of Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), and received his M.Div. from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

Calvin Watkins
Vice President at the North American Division 

Elder Watkins is a native of Dayton, Ohio, and a product of Christian education and a God-fearing mother. He is a graduate of Pine Forge Academy, Oakwood University and Mercer University of Atlanta. In 2021 he was elected as a vice president of North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

Watkins is a lecturer in the fields of church growth and ministerial training. He is also the author of the following books, One Hundred and One Ways to Witness and Evangelism for the New Millennium. 

 

 

Richie Halversen
Director of Church Growth and Revitalization at the Southern Union Conference 

Richie Halversen is the director of Church Growth and Revitalization for the Southern Union where he coaches churches, pastors, and lay leaders to maximize their impact in evangelism, church planting and revitalization. He is married to Brittney and they have four children: Kaleb, Hayley, Tristen and Taylor. 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Talbot
Speaker/director of the Jesus 101 Biblical Institute 

Elizabeth Viera Talbot, Ph.D., is the speaker/director for the Jesus 101 Biblical Institute, a media ministry of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, designed to offer in-depth Christ-centered biblical studies resources. Elizabeth is regularly featured on TV channels, radio stations and social media venues around the world. 

She has authored several books, and the ministry’s website, www.Jesus101.tv,  and smart phone application, Jesus 101, offer many bible study resources. Elizabeth’s main identity is her passion about the good news of Jesus Christ: “It’s like fire in my bones” she says, and she means it!

 

Peter Simpson
Director for Hispanic Ministries, Global Mission, and Evangelism for the Ohio Conference.

The son of a Missionary couple, Peter Simpson was born in Managua, Nicaragua, with passion for the mission and evangelism. Simpson has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 33 years in different countries as a district pastor, department head in both, conference and union levels, and as a conference president.

He is happily married to Carolina Simpson, with whom he fully shares and enjoys his pastoral ministry.

 

Tara VinCross
Senior Pastor of the Azure Hills Church

Tara VinCross, D.Min., serves as the senior pastor of Azure Hills Church in Grand Terrace, California, where she lives with her husband, Caleb, and their kids Josiah and Ava. Pastor VinCross was raised in the Seattle, WA area, and for over 20 years has served churches in Washington, Pennsylvania, and California. 

She is the author of the Deep Calling Discipleship Series and children’s books titled, God Loves Me and All My Feelings and Who Is God? 

Dave Weigley
President of the Columbia Union Conference

In May 2021, Dave Weigley, Ph.D., MBA, was re-elected to serve a fourth term as president of the Columbia Union Conference. In this role, he supports the leaders, initiatives and ministries that represent the union’s members and church entities.

As an ordained minister, Dave has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a pastor, evangelist, conference communication director, ministerial director, stewardship director, executive secretary and conference president.