To call Byron Dulan’s career impressive would be an understatement. His 52-year career is a testament to following where God has called and taking risks in the name of a greater calling. As he retires as North Pacific Union vice president of regional ministries, it is a privilege to reflect on a spectacular life in ministry and how a leader invited hundreds of people to God's table.
A loving family and positive church influence have always anchored Dulan’s life. Growing up, his home was six blocks from Immanuel Temple Adventist Church where his father was the head elder for 20 years and his mother helped run a local Dorcas Society. Within this environment, church was an all-day event where friends, neighbors and congregants collected, filling the house with conversation and worship.
The proximity and influence of being around the corner from a church that is considered the mother of all African American Adventist churches was also balanced by being 1 1/2 miles from the Black Panther headquarters. On one side, there was the beautiful community of his home church; on the other was the headquarters of a major activist movement. Both are active representatives of the influences present in Dulan’s life.
As a local historian, Dulan recognizes that growing up in Oakland, California, in the '60s and '70s meant landmark historical moments were happening in his backyard. This was the time of the Vietnam War, which famously sparked protests and public outrage mainly from young people. Haight-Ashbury, the sexual revolution, hippie culture and the Civil Rights movement were all at their height during this time and were at their most potent in California.
“It was a volatile space,” Dulan remembered, “and it was hard to ignore.” Yet this atmosphere created fertile ground for the beginning of a life in ministry.
This was a time of social unrest and immense change. Even as a young man, Dulan saw the effect such movements had on his community and African American youths. From age 15–20, he dedicated his time to tutoring, mentoring and encouraging higher education for African Americans in Oakland. In 1986, he conducted college tours through an educational emphasis organization.
As a young man, Dulan was involved in youth work and youth ministry for his local church, teaching Sabbath School and becoming a member of the Youth Federation. In 1975, he proposed the existence of a Youth Congress for his local union.
Dulan never intended to enter the ministry, however, when asked what led him to develop such a proposal, he responded, “I was just crazy. There was a great need and it was a transition period.”
The transition period Dulan mentions saw the impact of the time, especially for young African Americans, and his advocacy for a Youth Congress was influenced by his time working at Pacific Union College’s financial aid offices. Within his role, he was also responsible for recruiting African American men for theology, introducing them to a calling that would strengthen and inspire young men for generations.
Dulan’s ability to connect with people no matter their background can be credited to his time at Golden Gate Academy. As a proud alumni, Dulan regaled how it was the first North American Division academy to open with a multi-racial student body in 1923. “I grew up with different cultures,” recalled Dulan, “and I learned how to connect to all types of people.”
His experience has been a wonderful anchoring point; he quips he is always able to find a Golden Gate Academy alumnus anywhere he goes. This education also shaped his skills as a pastor — skills that he would later rely on during his 10 years in Southern California Conference, with six of those years as the associate youth director, two as a lead pastor for Mid-City Church in Los Angeles and two as associate pastor at Tamarind Avenue Church in Compton.
God then called him Seattle, Washington, to pastor Maranatha Church and later Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church, all while holding three positions concurrently in Washington Conference: Adventist Community Services, regional affairs and personal ministries department director. His memories of this time range from heartfelt to humorous. “You had to laugh,” Dulan said, “God always finds a way to provide a way to make you laugh.”
To hear all that Dulan has accomplished in his lifetime is staggering. Throughout his 52 years in ministry, he has overseen prison ministry and founded, chaired and served in leadership positions for West Coast Black Administrators Caucus, Black Adventist Historical Society, Emergency Feeding Program in Greater Seattle and Northwest Adventist African American Local Elders Federation. He also continued his investment in youth through his time as a trustee for Oakwood College and Walla Walla University and secured scholarships for those who wish to pursue higher education.
Yet as impressive as his resume is, it all makes sense when you meet the man himself. When asked what inspired his career, it all goes back to a consistent and constant desire to glorify God. “I guess I was given the gift of initiation,” he stated.
This gift of initiation and invitation has encapsulated Dulan’s career, which has been pursued with a humility that can only come from someone who is so eager to follow God’s will. His is the kind of servant leadership that builds community and inspires a legacy that will outlive him. Indeed, Dulan has modeled a standard of active faith and community building that will continue to inspire generations across all walks of life.
