2025 Annual Council Begins, Kirk’s Harmful Legacy, Andrews Student Death + More | Adventist News & Views

On Season 2, Episode 2 of Adventist, Eh? Dr. Harry O. Maier, a professor of New Testament & Early Christian Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, shares his journey from aspiring Lutheran pastor to professor. He highlights the importance of early church history in shaping Christian faith, the richness of diverse traditions, and the need to move beyond narrow denominational thinking. Noting how much is lost when 2,000 years of theological conversations are overlooked. One of Dr. Maier's main area of study is the exploration of the Book of Revelation as a message of hope, love, and justice rather than fear. Emphasizes faith as needing to be historically grounded, denominational inclusive, and actively engaging the needs of the world.

Pastor Kimberly shares her journey from growing up as a Canadian Adventist pastor’s daughter with Jamaican roots to creating House of Women, an online ministry that empowers women through biblical storytelling, resilience, and sisterhood. She reflects on the joys and pressures of church life, her shift from traditional ministry into new forms of spiritual leadership, and her commitment to reinterpreting biblical women through her new book, The Sisters Stay Dropping Gems. Rooted in Adventist values yet unafraid to step beyond church walls, Kimberly invites others to embrace healing, creativity, and bold new approaches to ministry.

Due to the denominational pause on its distribution, Reclaiming the Prophet might be the hottest book few have read. Its editor, historian Eric Anderson, talks about the book’s origins, the impressive pedigree of its contributors, the puzzling controversy surrounding it, and why good scholarship leads to healthy spirituality.

Welcome to Adventist News & Views, your source for the latest information and insights shaping the Adventist conversation. Hosted by Jacklyn Frias.   Here are the highlights of this week:  The 2025 Annual Council concludes with global leaders renewing calls for integration, mission focus, and spiritual courage. At Southern Adventist University, students react to the unexpected end of a $3 million DHSI grant, after the U.S. Department of Education discontinued race-based funding for Minority-Serving Institutions. In Part 1 of her reflection series, Ezrica Bennett dives into the spiritual and emotional challenge of loving across political divides. Iceland Adventists issue a rare statement calling for peace, prayer, and humanitarian support amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza. A new book review connects Defy to Adventist values, urging moral courage and the power of principled refusal. This week’s Sabbath School lesson reflects on God’s guidance through the Jordan crossing—reminding us to trust divine leadership in times of uncertainty.

Welcome to Adventist News & Views, your weekly source for the latest information and insights shaping the Adventist conversation. I’m your host Jacklyn Frias. Written and Produced by Stanton Witherspoon. Brought to you by Spectrum.

I interviewed Stephen N. Allred, director of government relations for the Church State Council, the religious liberty office of the Pacific Union Conference. Allred is a licensed attorney and ordained minister we discuss the upcoming webinar, Advocacy at the Margins: Observing & Defending in Immigration Court. We also discuss why the Pacific Union includes social justice as part of its religious liberty mission and how the Sabbath commandments and Jesus’s statements about heaven predicate obedience and righteousness with care for social outsiders.  Steve served as a pastor in the Northern California Conference for over 14 years, including his time at seminary, and then practiced law for nearly a decade. He has written for several periodicals and is the author of the book Do Justice: The Case for Biblical Social Justice. Steve received a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in 2005 and a Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2012.   This online info session is open to anyone. The goal is to equip participants to attend immigration court as observers, understand courtroom dynamics, and foster a consistent, supportive presence. Attorneys who register can receive CLE credit on how to represent respondents at their initial appearances to ensure cases are not prematurely/summarily dismissed due to lack of representation or procedural missteps. Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Spectrum Scholar Summer Intern Andrew Francis discusses his reporting on the growing controversy sparked by new Oakwood University President Gina Spivey-Brown’s focus on enforcing old student handbook bans on anklets, bracelets, crop tops and other forms of banned dress and adornment. We also discuss nineteen year old Francis’s experience on the Spectrum team at the GC Session and his plans as managing editor of The Student Movement as he completes his education in communication and behavioral science at Andrews University this December.

Drawing from our SPECTRUM’s presence at the 2025 General Conference Session, Editor-in-Chief Alexander Carpenter and Correspondent Samuel Girven discuss our in-person impressions of new General Conference President Erton Köhler, the fundamentalist focus on vaccination and jewelry, and how the communication landscape of the denomination might transform the meaning of the local church. Yes, change happened in St. Louis, but toward what end?

Steve Matthews is the CEO of ADRA Canada, he shares about his journey into humanitarian leadership, ADRA’s global mission, and efforts to connect more deeply with local churches. Steve discusses the challenges of fundraising amid economic uncertainty and media influences. Along with the importance of transparency, ADRA's strategic plan to enhance church and community relevance. Highlighting local engagement initiatives based on cultural sensitivities and actual needs. Steve introduces ADRA Canada’s new social enterprise, Hope Harvest, which sells ethically sourced Ghanaian cashews to fund community projects and provide fundraising opportunities for churches and youth groups.

Dr. Mary Beth Werdel is the director of the Mental Health Counseling and Spiritual Integration and Pastoral Care programs at Fordham University. During this conversation, she shares about the powerful intersections of spirituality, trauma, and healing. Drawing from her background in mental health counseling and her doctoral research on post-traumatic growth, she explores how spiritual and psychological experiences are deeply intertwined in the human journey. Unpacking the concept of post-traumatic growth, the dangers of spiritual bypassing, and the unique challenges trauma presents in caregiving settings. Dr. Werdel highlights the transformative potential that can emerge from suffering, when met with presence, compassion, and informed care. Check out her latest book on post-traumatic growth.