La Sierra to host 28th Adventist women’s conference

As a female pastor, Chris Oberg has found professional advancement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church easier because of the role played by a core group of female leaders in the denomination.

This group, called the Association of Adventist Women, has kept the church “aware that fully embracing, equipping and employing women is necessary for any gospel-driven community,” said Oberg, senior pastor of the La Sierra University Church. “The stories embodied by the core group of AAW leaders are powerful. Their willingness to share and then push ahead has indeed influenced our denominational leadership and impacted policy.”

This fall, Oberg will help forward the association's mission by serving as one of numerous speakers during the 28th annual Association of Adventist Women conference at La Sierra University, Oct. 13-16. Oberg will serve as keynote speaker and lead the Sabbath worship service during the four-day event that offers insightful presentations and discussions geared toward the intellectual and practical interests of Seventh-day Adventist women.

The Association of Adventist Women conference, titled “The Total You—Body, Mind, and Spirit,” will dig into such issues as the ordination of women, professional women in the male-dominated workplace, abuse in the Christian home, health and wellness and several other topics.

Guests may register and view a schedule of events at www.aaw.cc. The cost is $125, which includes the Woman of the Year banquet. Registration deadline is September 11 after which the conference registration fee will be $150. Registration for spouses is $80 by Sept. 11, or $130 after that date.

The lineup of presenters and panelists for the event includes Lisa Beardsley, first woman to head the Department of Education for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Linda Wysong Becker, provost of Union College in Lincoln, Neb.; Andrea Luxton, provost, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich.; Elaine Hagele, vice president of finance for the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Bonnie Dwyer, editor of Spectrum magazine; and Carla Baker, director, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Women's Ministries.

Oberg's keynote presentation will take place on Oct. 13. The conference will also offer two plenary sessions on Oct. 14 on the topics of “Where the Church has been and Where it is Going: Perspectives from Within and Outside the Church,” and “Women Professionals in a Man's World.” The event will include panel discussions on “Women's Ordination and Ellen White,” and on “How the Church can Support Women in Leadership.”

Breakout sessions will discuss Ellen White's views on women in the ministry, the health benefits of nuts, coping with menopause, the importance of forgiveness, and include a presentation on Iris Landa's Happy Rooms, painted and decorated in schools and hospitals around the world.

The conference's program lineup will include an agape supper on Oct. 14, followed by a string quartet performance. Vespers will include a liturgical dance by Praise and Peace, Body and Soul, directed by Joyce Christoffel. On Sat., Oct. 16 at 6 p.m., the conference will hold its Woman of the Year Awards Banquet. The following morning, guests have the option of attending a Sunday brunch at 10 a.m., at Riverside's Historic Mission Inn.

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)