News Notes

Pifher Returns to the Northwest

Gordon Pifher has accepted an invitation by the North Pacific Union Conference executive committee to become the NPUC director of stewardship, leadership and creative ministries. Currently serving as president of the British Columbia Conference, Pifher and his wife, Marie, are returning to the Northwest where they worked for a number of years. He previously served as Upper Columbia Conference youth and family life director, Walla Walla University Church associate pastor, and Upper Columbia Conference executive secretary from 1997–2005. "We're excited to have Gordon join our Northwest team," says Max Torkelsen, NPUC president. "He will bring creative energy as a passionate partner for each of our local conferences."

Mays Assumes Disaster Coordinator Role

Larry Mays, Upper Columbia Conference pastor, will add the responsibilities of North Pacific Union Conference disaster response coordinator to his ongoing pastoral role. He takes over for Doug Venn, who is "retiring" from this volunteer position, which uses a small subsidy from each conference to coordinate this important area of church readiness and community outreach.

Light Bearers and ARISE Unite

Two active, growing ministries have agreed to merge their operations in the Northwest. Light Bearers, which produces millions of evangelistic materials for worldwide mission work, and ARISE, a training institute for Bible workers in Sonora, California, are now co-located on the Light Bearers' campus in Jasper, Oregon. Ty Gibson, Light Bearers president, says the two organizations are casting creative vision for what specific projects they will undertake together.

Featured in: October 2011

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