ASAM 2009 Convention : Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Dr. John McVay

John McVay began serving as President of Walla Walla University in September, 2006. He came to the Northwest from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan where he served as Professor of New Testament and Associate Dean (1998-2000) and Dean (2000-2006) of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. John is no stranger to the West Coast as he served at Pacific Union College for thirteen years in the Religion Department and, for a time, as Senior Pastor of the PUC Church.

Born in Corvallis, Oregon to a pastoral family, he felt the call to pastoral ministry early in life and followed in the footsteps of his father, Ken, who served for many years as a pastor and hospital chaplain. While still in college, John ministered as a youth pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He began his pastoral ministry in the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.

John is a graduate of Georgia-Cumberland Academy, Southern Adventist University, Andrews University, and England's Sheffield University, which awarded him a Ph.D. in New Testament studies in 1995. His dissertation focused on the theme of the church in the Epistle to the Ephesians. A specialist in the later Pauline Epistles, he contributes regularly to professional conferences and publications.

Pam Aalborg McVay, John's wife, is an obstetrics nurse. They have two children, Marshal and Macy.

Dr. Hyveth Williams

Dr. Hyveth Williams, Senior Pastor of Campus Hill Church in Loma Linda, California, is the first black female pastor and the first female Senior Pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. She also serves as an Assistant Professor of Religion on the Loma Linda University Faculty of Religion and Andrews University Theological Seminary.

A graduate of Columbia Union College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology (1984) Pastor Williams received her Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University Theological Seminary (1989). In 1998 she graduated from Boston University School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Pastor Williams holds the distinction of being the first non-Episcopalian to receive the prestigious Fellowship from the Episcopal College of Preachers, National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. Honored as Andrews University Alumni of the Year (2000) and the Association of Adventist Women & NAD Women’s Ministries Department Adventist Woman of the Year (1995), Dr. Williams was recently selected as Citizen of the Year for 2007 for Loma Linda and San Bernardino County by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce and California State Senate & Assembly. She is also a recipient of the California Assembly Woman of Distinction, 2008 award.

Her autobiography, Will I Ever Learn? was published in 1996 and promoted world-wide by the Review and Herald. Her second book Anticipation, was published in 2000 by Pacific Press Publishing Association and a third book Secrets of a Happy Heart, was published in 2004 by the Review and Herald. Articles by Pastor Williams have appeared in Insight, Signs of the Times, Adventist Review, Ministry, Women of Spirit, Message and Celebration magazines.

Pastor Williams appreciates every opportunity to share the Gospel with others. She approaches her role as a preacher, teacher and counselor for God as a sacred trust.

Dr. Jose Rojas

José Vicente Rojas serves as the Director of the Office of Volunteer Ministries for the North American Division. Based at the Office of the Secretariat, the Office of Volunteer Ministries brings together church, institutional and supportive organizations for shared goals in volunteer ministries including: student missions, taskforce missions, literacy programs, community projects, Bible work, evangelism, and a host of other outreach activities.

José holds to a firm belief that the time for the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 has come. The "dreamers and visionaries" spoken of in scripture have arisen. He points to a growing volunteer movement in North America in which over 70,000 young people and adults have mobilized for outreach in communities both in North America and abroad. José's vision for the next five years includes the objective of an even larger network of missionary volunteers of all ages experiencing the power of God through a movement of discipleship.

An accomplished musician and recording artist, Jose is also an author and a passionate preacher of the Word. José holds an Honoris Causa Doctor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Adventist University, as well as Bachelors and Masters degrees in Religion from Loma Linda University. His numerous honors include the Maryland Governor's Citation for leadership in community action and the privilege of carrying the official Olympic Torch into Washington D.C. as the flame made its journey to the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.

José serves as a member of the U.S. national organization,The America's Promise Alliance, founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell, resulting in over 183 Adventist tutoring sites for underprivileged children in 26 states and provinces in North America. He has also worked with the White House over several years, assisting two Presidents of the United States with domestic policy initiatives for humanitarian leadership in the U.S.

He and his wife Ruthie have four children: Veronica, 20, Angelica, 17, Gabriel, 15, and Maria, 8.

Dr. Jesse Bevel, Jr.

Pastor Jesse Bevel Jr. was born in Hartsville South Carolina. He is an Ordained Seventh-day Adventists Minister and has been in Ministry for over 30 years. His most noted work has been in the areas of Evangelism and Family Life Education.

He is the product of Christian Education having graduated from Oakwood College with Degrees in Chemistry, Biology and Religion. He graduated from Andrews Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity Degree. He has a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy from Andover Newton theological School, in consortium with Harvard and Boston Universities. He is an Author having published a book titled, “A Psychology of Evangelism the Paradoxical Surrender of Culture in Conversion.” He has also produced 25 workbooks: 1) How To Relate to the Object of Your Love; 2) What To Do Before You Say I Do; 3) Mis-Matched Hookups; 4) Healing of the Normal Wounds of Manhood; 5) How to Get Your Mate to Agree With You 97% of the Time; 6) Divorce Proofing Your Marriage; and 7) Give the Woman What She Wants, just to name a few.

Doctor Bevel has taught Chemistry on the High School and University levels and has conducted numerous family life seminars throughout the United States and aboard. He and His wife are both Certified Family Life Educators. Dr. Bevel also served as an Adjunct Professor of Atlantic Union College.

Elder Bevel has Pastored the following Churches in the Northeastern Conference. Pioneer Memorial in Niagara Falls, Victory Temple in Buffalo, East New York in Brooklyn, Corona in Queens and Faith in Hartford Ct. God has also used him to raise up two Seventh Day Adventist Churches. He served as the Personal Ministries Director of the Northeastern Conference for twelve years. Presently he is the Family Ministries Director of Northeastern Conference.