A former Portland area resident, Christi Nelson-Oberg, now of Grand Terrace, Calif., was ordained/commissioned as a minister of the gospel June 11, 2005, at the La Sierra University Church, Riverside, Calif. Oberg is the daughter of Vancouver, Wash., residents LeRoy and Ruth Nelson, and daughter-in-law of Calvin and Ethelyn Oberg, of Forest Grove, Ore.
Oberg is presently the senior pastor of the 1,240-member church in Calimesa, Calif., 100 miles east of Los Angeles. The event was coordinated by Oberg’s former senior pastor, Daniel Smith, La Sierra University Church senior pastor, a congregation Oberg helped to pastor for the past five years. The La Sierra congregation made the initial ordination initiative while Oberg still served there.
Three current pastors, Daniel Smith, Stuart Tyner, and Sam Leonor gave homilies. Ernest Furness, the conference ministerial association director, directed the service. The traditional “laying on of hands” was done by Gerald Penick, president; Sandra Roberts, executive secretary; and Thomas Staples, treasurer—the officers of the Southeastern California Conference that covers five counties. Other participants included members of the staff of the La Sierra University religion department, members of the Calimesa Church pastoral staff, and Chris Church, Calimesa Church head elder.
Oberg completed a master’s degree in religion, New Testament and ethics in May 2005 at La Sierra University. She received a degree in nutrition from Walla Walla College in 1983 and another undergraduate degree in religious studies from LaSierra University, Riverside in 2000.
From 1993 to 1997 Oberg was worship coordinator and interim youth pastor of the Redlands Church. She also has been leader for spiritual affairs for the student body of La Sierra University. Oberg took over her leadership responsibilities in Calimesa on April 1.
Oberg is the mother of two teen-age girls who attend Redlands Adventist Academy. Her husband, Kerby Oberg, is on the faculty of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
Christi Nelson-Oberg, a Vancouver native, was ordained/commissioned to the gospel ministry June 11 at the LaSierra Church, Riverside, Calif.
