The Mid-America Union is launching an initiative called, “What’s Your Story?” that we hope will be a blessing. We’re beginning conversations about people’s diverse experiences and their life journeys. Our desire through these interviews is to learn, to grow, to understand, and to treat others better.
Meet Pastor Victor Wilson
Pastor Victor Wilson has been serving in the Lake Region Conference for 14 years. The church he currently pastors, Minneapolis Glendale Church, was planted years ago when territories covered different areas. So the Glendale Church—although in Minnesota— is still part of the Lake Region Conference in the Lake Union. His church was not that far away from where Mr. George Floyd lost his life. He has been on the ground working in the community.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- What did you learn about racial issues from your parents?
- Have you ever been stopped by the police?
- What do you think when people say “I’m colorblind?”
- How does racism impact your life?
- How do you feel when you are the only person of color in a group?
- How has God helped you deal with systemic racism?
- What do you think are the biggest barriers to working together?
- Do you have hope that hearts can change and we as a church community can improve?
- What could our church do more or less of to promote healing?
- What would you like your fellow Caucasian Christians to know about the African American experience?
- What are things the Adventist Church should consider?
Feature story in the May issue of OUTLOOK magazine.
Meet Elder Joann Harrington
Elder Joann Harrington is a member of the Allon Chapel Seventh-day Adventist church in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is an accomplished musician who wrote the theme song for the Adventurer clubs. She was also a career educator for over 40 years, now serving as the education superintendent for the Central States Conference. Elder Harrington is serving her second term as a member of the MAUC Executive Committee.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- Tell us about your background in education.
- Tell us about your family.
- Did you learn anything about racism as a child?
- What do you think of when you hear people say they are colorblind?
- How has racism affected your journey?
- Did you experience racism while working in the church?
- When you are the only person of color in a room, how do you feel?
- How has God helped you deal with the systemic racism in our culture?
- What hope do you have that God can change someone’s heart on these issues?
- What are some of the barriers that keep us from working together successfully?
- Have you ever had a questionable experience with the police?
- What do you wish our church could do more of to promote healing?
- What would you like us to know about the Africa America journey?
- As a woman of color, what challenges have you faced?
- What do you think Christ is asking us to do?
Meet Pastor Roberto Correa
Pastor Roberto Correa is the Multi-Language and Disabilities Director and Hispanic Ministries Coordinator assisting in the ministry of the nearly 100 Spanish-speaking churches in the Mid-America Union territory, our fastest growing demographic as of 2021.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- Tell us about the Hispanic work taking place in Mid-America?
- Tell us about where you were raised and your journey to America?
- Tell us about your family?
- What were some of the challenges to becoming acclimated to America?
- Any other challenges to becoming acclimated besides the language?
- How is life different for your children than it was for you?
- Are there any churches in Mid-America that are catering to the second generation worshipers?
- We have growing Hispanic churches in all six of our conferences. What counsel do you have for us in continuing to support them?
- Tell us about your parents and their influence on your life?
- When you visit the Spanish-speaking churches across our nine-state territory, how different are they?
- Have you experienced prejudice either personally or as part of the church?
- What can our members do to help bless the Hispanic ministries in Mid-America?
Meet Pastor Roger Wade
Dr. Pastor Roger Wade is the church ministries director for the Mid-America Union conference. Pastor Wade, who calls himself an “island boy” from Trinidad, has served for over 20 years across various regions of the U.S. and in a variety of roles, including pastor and youth director.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- How do you feel when you attend events and no one else looks like you?
- What do you see that is different with the younger generations and their connection with the church?
- What can we do as a church to help promote understanding and healing?
- What do you wish your White brothers and sisters understood about the African American journey?
Meet Dr. Seth Pierce
Dr. Seth Pierce is a former pastor, author, speaker, and communication professor at Union College and the director of the communication program. He has authored several books with his current book, ‘Seeking an Understanding‘ which was released in January of 2021.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- What do you think when you hear people say, “I’m Color Blind?”
- What’s the difference between prejudice and racism?
- What, in your view, is systemic racism?
- What do you see as barriers to progress?
- Have you seen examples of racism in the church?
- As a professor, what do see as that is different with the younger generations?
- What can we do more of as a church to promote healing and healthy dialogue?
- What would you like to say to your fellow Caucasian church members?
- What would you like to say to People of Color that might be listening to this?
- What are some practical steps for the Adventist Church to take right now?
Meet Thompson Kay
Elder Thompson Kay is a member of the Allon Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from Oakwood College (now University) and Ohio State University and is still called on for assistance by the General Conference Deaf and Possibilities Ministries Team.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- Tell us about yourself and how God has lead you along your journey?
- How does it feel when someone demonstrates their fear of you?
- What are some barrier’ were facing as a church?
- Is racism a human problem or around the globe or unique to the United States?
- What gives you the greatest hope for our church?
Meet Heather Thompson Day
Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker and associate professor of communication at Colorado Christian University. She is a member of the LifeSource Adventist Fellowship church within the Rocky Mountain Conference. Her new book will be released in the spring of 2021: It’s Not Your Turn: What to do while you wait for your breakthrough.
Connect with her on Twitter @heathertday.
Some of the questions that were asked:
- Tell us about your educational journey?
- Why is important for adults to affirm young people?
- What did you learn about race from your parents and grandparents?
- When did you first experience racism?
- What do you think we can do as a church to deal with prejudice and racism?
- How do we learn to work with someone who holds a different view than our own?
- What would you like our Caucasian members to know?
- What can you do to educate yourself on the issue of race?
- What would you like your Black American church family to know about your Caucasian church family?
- What challenges have you faced as a woman in the Adventist Church?
- Where do we go from here?
