Committee Members
In October 2011, the North American Division appointed the following members to a biblical research committee to study the theology of ordination.
Gordon G. Bietz, D.Min., Chair
Gordon Bietz has been the president of Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, since 1997. Prior to that he pastored the Collegedale Church for 13 years and served as Georgia-Cumberland Conference president. Bietz received doctoral and master’s degrees from Andrews University, and a baccalaureate degree from LaSierra University.
Kyoshin Ahn, Ph.D.
Kyoshin Ahn is the Associate Secretary for the North American Division. He holds a doctorate in New Testament and Early Christianity from Vanderbilt University. Prior to that he graduated with a master of divinity degree from Andrews University, and a baccelaureate degree from Sahm Yook University in Korea.
Dedrick Blue, D.Min.
Senior Pastor, Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church
New York
Jo Ann Davidson, Ph.D.
Professor of Systematic Theology
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Lourdes Morales-Gudmundsson, Ph.D.
Chair, World Languages Department
La Sierra University
Dwight K. Nelson, D.Min.
Dwight Nelson is senior pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church, on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He holds a doctor of ministry from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and is the author of several books, including The Chosen, Creation and Evolution, The Eleventh Commandment, and Outrageous Grace.
Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min.
President, Oakwood University
Edwin E. Reynolds, Ph.D., Secretary
Edwin Reynolds is a professor of New Testament and biblical languages and is the School of Religion graduate program coordinator at Southern Adventist University. He holds a doctoral degree in New Testament from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Reynolds was the editor of the Guide for Research Writing: AIIAS Theological Seminary, 2d ed. (Silang, Cavite, Philippines: AIIAS Publications, 2002) and Asia Adventist Seminary Studies, and is a former editor of and regular contributor to the Journal of the Adventist Theological Society.
Stephen A. L. Richardson, M.A., M.Div.
Stephen Richardson is the ministerial director for Allegheny East Conference. He is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible from Vanderbilt University. He holds a master’s degree in religion from Vanderbilt and a master of divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. He earned a baccalaureate degree in theology and business administration from Oakwood University.
Russell Seay, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Oakwood University
Kendra Haloviak Valentine, Ph.D.
Kendra Haloviak Valentine is an associate professor of New Testament studies and chair of the Department of Biblical Studies at the H. M. S. Richards Divinity School at La Sierra University. Haloviak Valentine holds a doctorate in New Testament studies and ethics from The Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, a master’s in New Testament studies from Andrews University, and a baccalaureate degree in theology and English from Columbia Union College. Her recent publications include “The Book of Revelation,” in The Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, Joel Green, ed. (Baker Academic, 2011) and Signs to Life: Reading and Responding to John’s Gospel (Signs Publishing, 2013).
Tara J. VinCross, M.Div.
Senior Pastor, Chestnut Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church
and REACH Philadelphia Church Plant
Director, Pennsylvania Youth Challenge
Clinton Wahlen, Ph.D.
Clinton Wahlen is an associate director of the Biblical Research Institute. He holds a Ph.D. degree in New Testament from Cambridge University, U.K., and has authored Jesus and the Impurity of Spirits in the Synoptic Gospels (Mohr Siebeck, 2004) and James (Adult Bible Study Guide, forthcoming). He has also published academic articles in journals such as New Testament Studies and Biblical Interpretation, and written for biblical dictionaries published by InterVarsity Press.
Ivan Williams, D.Min.
Director, Ministerial Department
North American Division
