Conference Lineup
Keynote Address: Religion, Spirituality, and the Couple Relationship
Timothy Gillespie
Timothy Gillespie, MDiv, Pastor, Loma Linda University Church
Two years after completing his academy education at La Sierra Academy, Timothy Gillespie was programming director at Pine Springs Ranch summer camp. Nine years later he joined the Loma Linda Academy staff as chaplain. In the meantime he had completed a bachelor’s degree in English and in religious studies at La Sierra University (1995) and a master of divinity degree at Andrews University (1997). His involvement with youth continued as he became youth pastor at La Mesa Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1997, taught at La Sierra University, and then accepted the position of young adult ministries at Loma Linda University Church in 2007.
Under his leadership, the Sabbath morning youth group has expanded from an attendance of 42 in October 2007 to over 325 young adults crowding into the chapel (seating 270) ten months later, necessitating a move to Wong Kerlee Conference Center. His promotion of outreach, community, and mission service at the youth’s Re:Live Sabbath School arises in part out of Pastor Gillespie’s personal experience during college, when he spent a year of mission service on Majuro, Marshall Islands (1992-93). To enhance his ministry, he is now a George Fox University (Newberg, Oregon) doctoral candidate pursuing a degree in leadership in emerging culture.
Music has been a prominent accompaniment to Pastor Gillespie’s ministry. He has played music professionally in the band Big Face Grace, and still is actively involved in creating music and supporting local Christian artists. As well, he works as regional chaplain for Azusa Pacific University’s region center in San Bernardino and has served as an adjunct faculty at California Preparatory College in Redlands.
Pastor Gillespie is purposeful when he speaks of his tasks at Loma Linda University Church: “to build a vision for the Young Adult ministry, to seek volunteers and others gifted in ministry to work with young adults, to build a vibrant and growing young adult community that resonates with the values of LLUC and the Seventh-day Adventist church; as well, to disciple them as they follow Jesus Christ in their particular journeys.”
Important to his life and ministry are his wife, Sara Elizabeth and their three great children, Hannah, Jacob Owen and Isaac Seth. Regarding his own ministry, Pastor Gillespie says, “It is a blessing to serve the incarnate God who was willing to die for me.”
Keynote Address: The State of Marriage: Updates and Challenges
Amy Olson-Sigg
Amy Olson-Sigg, MA
Amy Olson, M.A., is Director of Programs for PREPARE/ENRICH where she has been helping with research, program development and communications for over sixteen years. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters in marriage and family therapy. She has co-authored numerous journal articles and several books including The Couple Checkup (2008) and PREPARE-ENRICH-Inspire for Teens (2010).
Conference Director/Facilitator
Zanetta van Putten
Zanetta van Putten, MS, LMFT
Zanetta van Putten is a National Relationship Educator and Marriage & Family Therapist, licensed to serve counseling clients in the State of New York. She is a graduate of Loma Linda University, with a Masters degree in Marital & Family Therapy and certificates in Advanced Substance Abuse Treatment and Clinical Mediation. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Marital and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. As the co-author of the book chapter titled Pushing The Gender Line: How Immigrant Couples Reconstruct Power, Miss van Putten contributed to the knowledge base regarding the role of gender and power development in the couple relationship. In 2008, Miss van Putten founded Relationship Cafe, a ministry focused on educating individuals and couples on the options available for them to improve their relationships and make healthier relationship decisions.
Session Presenters
Carolyn Sallion
Carolyn Sallion, MS
Spirituality and Relationships: The Salvation Connection
Carolyn Sallion has a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Ryerson University and a Master’s degree from Loma Linda University in health education. She is presently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Marital and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University.
Carolyn has special interests in working with individuals and couples on issues related to communication, infidelity, divorce, and separation. She also enjoys working with women’s issues and helping individuals with their ambivalence about change.
Carolyn is presently the president of the Southeastern Adventist Singles Ministry, in which she helps singles reach wholeness. She has conducted presentations around the world and has participated in research projects focused on youth related issues.
K. Jason & Kelli Krafsky
K. Jason Krafsky
Before “I Do”
As a “marriage junkie,” Jason supports his habit by training leaders on marriage issues and coaching communities, churches and organizations on marriage strengthening strategies.
Over the last 13 years, Jason has trained thousands of pastors, counselors and leaders in premarital, marriage and relationship programs and provides leadership with the Marriage CoMission and Association of Marriage and Family Ministries.
In 2005, Jason wrote and published his first book, Before “I Do” – Preparing for the Full Marriage Experience, an interactive, premarital workbook for couples.
Jason is a nationally recognized expert in building Healthy Marriage Initiatives through consulting hundreds of leaders and helping nearly 100 initiatives around the country for over a decade. Since 2007, he has worked with the California Healthy Marriages Coalition. Jason’s ultimate fix comes from his wife Kelli.
Facebook and Your Marriage (with K. Jason Krafsky)
Kelli is married to Jason, and together they have four children. A former elementary school teacher, Kelli home-schooled their children for nine years until 2009.
Over the years, Kelli has worked with unwed, pregnant mothers and volunteered for church and community-based organizations. She has co-facilitated various talks with her husband and has been involved with the Marriage CoMission and Association of Marriage and Family Ministries.
In early 2009, she began co-writing articles with Jason, including “How Facebook Can Improve Your Marriage” and “Is Facebook a Cyber-Threat to Your Marriage?” Due to popular demand of the articles, Kelli and Jason wrote the book Facebook and Your Marriage, released in 2010.
Kelli and Jason have been referenced and featured in several articles and news stories on social media’s impact on marriages, including the Washington Times, The Chattanooga Times Free Press and The Oregonian.
Katie Arnette
Katie Arnette, PhD
Emotional Healing:Embracing Forgiveness
Katie A. Arnette, is a federal agency official, author, Founder and Director of Ever Rising, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources to promote restoration, recovery and a higher quality of life for abused persons.
Along with her business and education degrees, she completed her doctorate in Clinical Christian Psychology. As a gifted public speaker and trainer, Dr. Arnette travels both nationally and internationally, providing encouragement and speaking Truth into the lives of spiritually hungry men and women.
She is highly respected as an ordained elder, educator, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and an active board member for a number of local and national organizations.
Dr. Arnette is the author of “Ever Rising: From Tragedy and Pain to Triumph and Gain”. Her newest book entitled, “Total Trust During Trying Times”, was released April 2010.
Kevin & Cetelia Bullard
Kevin & Cetelia Bullard
Submission 101
Cetelia is a dedicated homeschooling mother, and Kevin is an associate pastor. Together they lead the marriage ministry at their church, and form a dynamic writing & speaking team with years of wisdom and experience.
Tanya Smith
Tanya Smith
Common Pitfalls to a Great Marriage: What Happens When Work Comes First
Tanya Smith is a certified career management and branding expert specializing in providing career management resources. She has a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. Often referred to as the “Promotion Coach”, she uses a blend of positive psychology, corporate savvy, and the most current career technologies to help first line and mid-management professionals feeling stuck at work, how to advance successfully in their careers so they can boost earning opportunities, while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.
Tanya is a married mother of two. She is also the owner of Be Promotable, where she shares her expertise to help others reach their full potential.
Nannette Thacker
Nannette Thacker
Christians and Online Dating: Finding a Christian Mate In a Secular Internet
Nannette Thacker is owner and consultant for Shining Star Services LLC, with clients all over the United States. In 1993, she entered the online dating arena by starting Computer Cupid, a site designed as a safe place where Christian men and women could connect. As a computer programmer, Nannette has developed ChristianSinglesDating.com, a website designed primarily for Seventh-day Adventist Christian singles. Through her efforts, many couples from across continents have met and connected. Some have even gotten married. Others have connected and formed Bible study and worship groups, which have resulted in baptisms.
Nannette views her websites as a ministry. “Our hope is that this site will serve a purpose to honor God and help others make Christian friends — male and female.”
Corina Lowe
Corrina Lowe, MS, LMFT
Development and Maintenance of Relationships Through The Online Dating Process
Corrina Lowe holds a License in Marriage and Family Therapy in the State of Washington. She received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University in 2005. She is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University and will be graduating in 2011.
In her professional career, she has had seven years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families, although her area of expertise up until this point has been working with children and adolescents. Mrs. Lowe has a private practice serving a variety of people focusing on a family systems approach. She is presently conducting research on the development and maintenance process of online relationships.
Mrs. Lowe’s area of interest has broadened through her doctoral internship experience with the geriatric population. She provides therapeutic services in assisted living facilities, hospice care, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
Earl Mc Millan
Earl McMillan
From This Day Forward: Life after the vows
Elder Earl McMillan was called to pastoral ministry in July of 1991 and was ordained as a minister in the Nazarene denomination in 1997, being recognized as the first student in Nazarene history to graduate with an “A” average.
He converted to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in 2005 and was ordained as a church Elder in 2006. Elder McMillan has counseled and married many couples and continues to impart his foresight and expertise to couples on how to have a successful union.
Elder McMillan married his wife, Dolly, on May 7, 1977–80 days after first meeting. Through this union they have been committed to honing the skills necessary to maintain a happy and loving marriage.
Rosalie van Putten
Rosalie van Putten, PA
The Connections Between Relationships and Health
Rosalie van Putten is a graduate of Loma Linda University and recently earned a degree in Physician Assistant Studies and a graduate certificate in Allied Health Studies from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Ms. van Putten has given seminars on many health topics such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, ADHD, sexually transmitted diseases, well-baby care, etc., and done health screening for diabetes, hypertension and obesity at health fairs. She has written papers on diabetes, the effects of television viewing on childhood obesity, asthma, the ethical issues regarding multi-fetal reduction and more. Her Christian ministry revolves around preaching and giving seminars on health, relationships, stewardship, Adventist education and how to obtain financial aid for school.
Lee Williams
Lee Williams, PhD
Managing Religious Differences In Marriage
Lee M. Williams, PhD, is a Professor in the Marital and Family Therapy program at the University of San Diego. He has published several articles on interchurch couples, premarital counseling, and training family therapists. He has also presented numerous topics at professional conferences.
.
Pablo & Cachet Johnson
Pablo & Cachet Johnson
Marriage & Money
Cachet Johnson is President & CEO of Noble Tax Solutions, Inc. She brings over 10 years of accounting, bookkeeping, and strategic tax planning experience. She also has special interests in real estate and business entity formation and credit. She majored in accounting and finance at California State University, San Bernardino.
Pablo Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in June 2003 and a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a specialization in Urban Planning & finance in 2006, from California State University. San Bernardino. He is a licensed professional broker in insurance, investments and real estate, with partnerships with 75% of fortune 500 financial institutions, banks, and insurance companies.
Cachet and Pablo are committed to providing the highest level of education and Biblical financial solutions to all who sincerely desire financial freedom! “For what profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul.”
Darlena Lane
Darlena Lane
Overcoming Sex Addiction
Darlena Lane is an out of the box secondary mathematics teacher who uses singing, dancing and costumes to teach math. Currently teaching at the Lee High in Huntsville, Alabama, Darlena inspires students to enjoy mathematics.
First time writer and author of “Confessions of a Debutant: A Christian Woman’s Struggle With Sex“, Darlena has a desire to help women who struggle with societal pressures and external forces. God has placed on her heart a passion for children and women’s ministries and He will continue to guide her as she follows His will.
Darlena is a single mother of a 10-year old daughter and she’s never been married. Darlena has decided to wait on the Lord to send her the right husband before she gets married.
Post Conference
Andrea Hicks
Andrea Hicks, Coordinator of Adventist Single Adult Ministries, NAD
ASAM Workshop 2011: Tools for a Successful Single Adult Ministry
Andrea Hicks is the Coordinator of Adventist Single Ministries (ASAM) for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. She is also the founder of F.O.C.U.S. Ministries (Fellowship of Christians Unique and Single) and recently served as the Assistant to the Director of Singles Ministry for the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. Her passion for Singles Ministry was brought about through circumstance. Through divorce, she began to see the need for this life changing ministry. She has been actively involved with singles ministry since 2001. She is multifaceted and serves as the Secretary/Production Coordinator for Atlantic Union Adventist Media, event coordinator, has her own travel business and discount insurance agency and is very active in her home church, Mount Sinai SDA Church in Queens, NY. Andrea considers her relationship with God her greatest accomplishment.
David & Connie Hall
David Hall, Sr., MA, Director of Family Ministries, Nevada-Utah Conference
Connie Hall, Family Ministry Director, Sparks Seventh-day Adventist Church
The 411 On Developing a Healthy Couple’s Ministry
Pastor Hall is currently the Director of Youth/Children/Family Ministries for the Nevada-Utah Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has written several articles for the SDA Publications Message Magazine and Insight Magazine. He has also conducted many Seminars/Workshops throughout the continental USA and abroad – which include : “What Every Guy Should Know About Every Girl & What Every Girl Should Know About Every Guy”; “The 411 on Dating”; “How to do Full- Time Youth Ministry on a Part-Time Budget”; and “Alone Again, Naturally!,” to name a few.
Connie Hall is an educator with 14 years of teaching experience and over 20 years of experience working with children. She has done presentations in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia on such varied topics as Integrating Technology, Raising a Preschooler, Overcoming Food Addiction, Ladies – Bloom Where God Has Planted You, and with her husband on various dating and marriage topics. Connie is currently serving as the Family Ministries Leader at the Sparks, Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The Halls were featured from September thru December of 2008 on a radio station in Reno, Nevada where residents received tips on parenting and marriage. They have been married for 17 years. They have a 14 year-old son, David Solomon Hall, Jr..
Jackie Phillips
Jackie Phillips, Capital Campaign Director, Central California Conference
Divorce Recovery
Life After Divorce: Is It Possible?
Jackie Phillips facilitates the DivorceCare ministry, a nondenominational support program for divorcees in her local church and community. The 13-week biblical based seminar and support group promotes healing and recovery on the journey after divorce.
Mrs. Phillips serves as the Capital Campaign director for the Central California Conference and has been a fundraiser for 17 years. She was recently remarried and is happy to be able to share her new life with an amazingly wonderful man.
*Note: Presenters and topics subject to change without notice.
Pingback: Do you desire a loving and fulfilling relationship?