In a series of services in the spring, five people were newly ordained into pastoral ministry, each bringing unique journeys and experiences to their new roles. Pastors Daniel Bennett, Jordan Stephan, Ruslan Spitsyn, Vidal Mendoza and Abner Campos have answered God’s call to serve their communities and congregations with faith and devotion. Each pastor has followed a unique path guided by their commitment to God and a desire to make a positive impact.
Daniel Bennett
Bennett first felt the call to preach in his teens while attending Church of God and Christ in Tacoma. He joined the military after high school and served overseas for eight years. While stationed in Germany, Bennett committed his life to Jesus and began preaching. After three of his siblings had been converted to the Adventist Church, Bennett could no longer deny the seventh day Sabbath. Bennett earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2015 and was called to be a full-time pastor in 2019. He was ordained on April 27, 2024.
Jordan Stephan
Stephan was raised in a pastoral family. Through conversations, opportunities and experiences, God clarified the pastoral path in his life. Stephan began his pastoral work as the Kirkland Adventist Church associate pastor. He earned his Master of Divinity in 2022 and moved back to Washington to be the North Cascade Adventist Church associate pastor. When the senior pastor moved at the end of that year, Stephan stepped into the role. He was ordained on May 25, 2024.
Ruslyn Spitsyn
At 19 years old, Spitsyn accepted Jesus and was baptized in 2007. He became an active church member through leading the youth group and teaching Sabbath School. Spitsyn was invited to be an intern pastor of the Dnipro churches in Ukraine in 2010. He earned his master’s degree in religious studies in 2018. Spitsyn accepted the call to Washington in 2023 to serve in the Center for Spiritual Enrichment. He was ordained on June 1, 2024.
Vidal Mendoza
Mendoza was raised in the Adventist Church. After earning a bachelor’s degree in administration, he felt the call to be a pastor. He was hired as a part-time Bible worker for Lakewood Spanish Adventist Church and White Center Spanish Adventist Church. In 2018, Mendoza was hired as a full-time pastor for Federal Way Hispanic Adventist Church. At the end of 2023, he was called to serve as Enumclaw Adventist Church pastor. Mendoza is now working towards a Ph.D. in leadership. He was ordained on June 8, 2024.
Abner Campos
A student-led week of worship in high school guided Campos to realize his need for God. He began studying the Bible and fell in love with Jesus. He then got involved in local churches and schools. At the end of high school, he followed his pastoral call and studied theology. Campos completed his Master of Divinity in 2021 and moved to Seattle to begin his ministry at Volunteer Park Adventist Church. He was ordained on June 15, 2024.
The recent ordinations of Bennett, Stephan, Spitsyn, Mendoza and Campos are powerful reminders of the diverse ways in which individuals are called to ministry. Each pastor’s journey underscores the transformative power of faith. As these five pastors step into their roles as ordained pastors, they bring with them a wealth of life experiences and deep commitment to their congregations. Their ordinations are a celebration of their faith journeys and a promise of continued spiritual growth and leadership.
Daniel Bennett was ordained on April 27.
Jordan Stephan was ordained on May 25.
Ruslan Spitsyn was ordained on June 1.
Vidal Mendoza was ordained on June 8.
Abner Campos was ordained on June 15.
