Press Releases

Shawn Boonstra, Speaker/Director of Voice of Prophecy, to Leave Media Ministry; Will Join Adventist Review

May 1, 2025 | Loveland, Colo. | North American Division

The Voice of Prophecy (VOP), the longest-running media ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, announced Thursday, May 1, 2025, that Shawn Boonstra, speaker/director of the ministry since 2013, has accepted the invitation of the Adventist Review to serve as an associate editor. He will be leaving the Loveland, Colorado-based ministry sometime this summer.

“It’s been a privilege to work with Shawn Boonstra,” says Rick Remmers, assistant to the president of the North American Division and VOP board chairman. “We appreciate the vision and energy that he has brought to the Voice of Prophecy. His work has not only built up the VOP ministry but has also been a catalyst for building up the outreach ministry of many churches around the world. We know God will continue to bless him as he takes up his new responsibilities.”

Boonstra says his work at VOP has been the highlight of his 32-year ministerial career.

“I absolutely love the Voice of Prophecy; in fact, it’s the best assignment I’ve ever had in the church,” Boonstra reflects. “But I’ve been sensing lately that it’s time to inject some new energy and ideas, and that it might be time for me to hand it off now.”

He says his decision didn’t come easily.

“I struggled with that decision immensely, because this ministry really is a place where cutting-edge, innovative evangelism takes place daily. What the team accomplishes is simply mind-blowing,” he explains. “But God also tapped me on the shoulder and distinctly told me that it’s someone else’s turn now. Someone’s going to be incredibly fortunate to come here.”

During Boonstra’s 12 years at the ministry, the Voice of Prophecy has achieved many things, which include:

Growing the reach of the Discover Bible School, including introducing new Discover and Focus on Daniel Bible study guides.
Developing a series of successful short bridge events designed to bring community members through local church doors.
Launching and growing Discovery Mountain, a popular and thriving evangelistic children’s audio drama.
Equipping local church presenters with Discovering Revelation, a full-message series based on Boonstra’s time-tested Revelation Speaks Peace series.

In reaction to Boonstra’s decision, VOP leadership expressed their sadness in his departure, but confidence in God’s continued provision for the ministry.

“We love Shawn and will miss him dearly,” says Justin Lyons, VOP manager/treasurer. “He has done so much to build and grow the Voice of Prophecy in his 12 years here. However, we know God is leading Shawn into his new field of service. We also know that God will bless the Voice of Prophecy as He has during the 95 years we’ve been in ministry.”

The North American Division has begun the search for Boonstra’s replacement and hopes to name a new speaker/director as soon as possible.

Union Adventist University Receives Grant for Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen

The Ardmore Institute of Health has awarded Union Adventist University’s Master of Public Health Program a grant to establish a culinary medicine teaching kitchen (CMTK). The $35,000 will purchase six commercial-grade mobile workstations, each including the culinary tools and appliances to support two students at a time, enabling the university to host classes of up to 12 students in the teaching kitchen. Any remaining funds will support a student garden that was established by the university’s first public health cohort last year.

Mid-America Union Conference Executive Committee Appoints New Communication Director

During its regular spring meeting, the Mid-America Union Executive Committee voted to approve a recommendation by MAUC’s administrative team outlining a leadership transition for the union’s communication department. Following the vote, then-director Brenda Dickerson became the associate director, and then-associate director/digital media manager Hugh Davis became the new director, effective May 1, 2025. This transition of titles, initially proposed by Dickerson, serves as a model for succession planning and smooth leadership transitions in appointed positions.

James P. Willis II Elected as New Vice President for Education for the Pacific Union Conference

The Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has elected James P. Willis II as its new vice president for education, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Dr. Berit von Pohle, who is retiring after a distinguished career spanning 46 years in Adventist education

Business Students and Entrepreneurs Participate in Hyve Conference at Andrews University

Andrews University hosted the third annual North American Hyve International Conference from March 27–29, a gathering where students, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders and businesspeople networked with fellow innovators and pitched their ideas. Through various workshops and programs on campus, practicing entrepreneurs shared their experiences and advice on how to cultivate a strong business in a way that glorifies God.

Christian Record Services Welcomes New Director of Development

Christian Record Services (CRS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Tandi Perkins as the new director of development. Perkins brings a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector, having served with distinction for over five years as the director of development for the Alaska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.