Robert Folkenberg Jr. accepted the call to serve as the Upper Columbia Conference president Tuesday, Feb. 3. He plans to assume his new responsibilities in mid-March.
"My wife, Audrey, and I are very excited about joining the Upper Columbia Church family. We are living in momentous and exciting times," says Folkenberg. "I believe with all my heart, now, more than ever before, the Lord is calling His church—all His church, both young and old, to press forward in faith to let the world know of Christ's redeeming love and His soon coming! This is our mission. That's why we are here."
Folkenberg began his ministry as an associate pastor in Port Charlotte, Fla. He has served as pastor of the Tallahassee and Crawfordsville, Fla., districts. Later Folkenberg served as senior pastor of the Orlando Central Church in Orlando, Fla.
In addition to serving as a pastor, Folkenberg has administrative experience, having served for several years as a field secretary for the Chinese Union Mission and also as president of the Taiwan Conference. For the past four years Folkenberg has served as associate director for ShareHIM, assisting churches to organize international and homeland evangelistic outreach, with an emphasis in mobilizing and training lay men and women to become involved in a lifestyle of evangelism.
Folkenberg and his wife Audrey live just outside of Collegedale in Apison, Tenn. Audrey has her master's in nursing and is currently working at ShareHIM helping coordinate homeland evangelistic efforts. Bob and Audrey have three children: Robby, a junior; Randy, a freshman; and Katie, a sixth-grade student.
Max Torkelsen II, North Pacific Union Conference president, says, "It's providential we have such a well-qualified, energetic and committed person to lead the Upper Columbia Conference."
The Folkenberg family, from left: Robby, Audrey, Katie, Bob and Randy.
Robert Stanley Folkenberg Jr., UCC president-elect.
