The Northern California Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist has voted to ordain Dr. Ty-Ron Douglas as an Adventist chaplain. The ordination service took place last December at the Oakwood University Community Center during the Pastoral Evangelism Leadership Council (PELC).
Born and raised in Bermuda, Dr. Ty’s overseas ministry journey has included service as a teacher at Bermuda Institute of Seventh-day Adventists, founding and leading the Midland Heights Church GED program, and music ministry in various contexts.
After moving to the U.S to earn a PhD, Dr. Ty’s calling to pastoral ministry became more pronounced. From North Carolina to Missouri and now California, he has served the church and community using gifts that were nurtured in Bermuda and harnessed as a student at Oakwood University.
While working as a tenured associate professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri, being ordained as an elder at Columbia Adventist Church (Iowa/Missouri Conference), and planting Salt City Church where he served as lead pastor, Dr. Douglas earned a second master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Andrews University Theological Seminary in 2020. From 2014-2019, he led the annual Back to School Explosion (in partnership with the Grace Tour) at an inner city basketball court in Columbia which resulted in over 65 baptisms and the opening of the Salt City Center. He continues to serve on the Salt City Church pastoral staff as a lay pastor.
Dr. Ty has preached or presented in the United States, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean, with an emphasis on youth, young adult, men’s and family life ministry. As the executive director/speaker for So Amazing Life Ministries, he has mentored a number of pastors, chaplains and young adult professionals on their ministry and higher education journeys.
The author or editor of five books and over 40 journal articles or book chapters, he currently works as the inaugural associate athletic director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, & Justice at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal Athletics)—the first Adventist to hold such a role in Division 1 Power 4 Athletics. His leadership and ministry in higher education and with collegiate/ professional athletics are opening new vistas of consideration for bi-vocational ministry and Adventism in sports. His trailblazing presence as an Adventist chaplain in sports has been described as having the potential to impact the field much like Dr. Barry Black’s pioneering efforts in military chaplaincy.
Dr. Ty remains committed to and joyful in partnership with his wife Bobbie, their sons Jalen and Essien, and his calling to maximum kingdom impact in the world and in communities where he has roots. The Central States vineyard is certainly one of those places. At Beacon Light Seventh-day Adventist Church and at the conference office, Elder Cryston Josiah has been a consistent partner with Dr. Ty, So Amazing Life Ministries, and bi-vocational pastors. Elder Josiah participated in the ordination ceremony on behalf of the Central States Conference. At PELC 2023, Central States Conference ordained Chaplain Primitivo Davis. This year we are pleased to celebrate the ordination of Chaplain Douglas.
God has been faithful and God be praised!
*Learn more about Dr. Ty Douglas’s journey by reading this Adventist Review article.
