Four times a year, North Pacific Union hosts “board week” — a designated time when formal and informal meetings are intentionally scheduled within the same location and time frame.
This strategic rhythm brings together leaders, ministry directors and decision-makers from across five states and six conferences for efficient planning, collaborative dialogue and shared discernment.
Each board week concludes with executive committee meeting, which opens with a devotional thought and dedicated time for worship and prayer — grounding the work of leadership in a shared dependence on the Holy Spirit.
The May 7, 2025 executive committee meeting in Walla Walla began with EuGene Lewis, NPUC vice president for regional ministries, sharing his fatherhood journey of supporting his adult son through a recent liver and kidney transplant.
“I learned a different understanding of being humble and what it means to be faithful,” Lewis said. “My son and I went through this together, and we never felt we were alone. Deep experiences with God should be the norm, not the exception.”
EuGene Lewis, NPUC vice president for regional ministries
President’s Report
During the president’s report, John Freedman, NPUC president, noted the spiritual momentum he is seeing across North America.
“In all the meetings I attend, I get a sense of how the Holy Spirit is working around the world,” Freedman remarked.
Right here in the Pacific Northwest, there are signs of the Holy Spirit’s activity. For example:
- Southern Idaho and eastern Oregon are “on the move” with evangelism in English and Spanish with baptisms and conversions happening every week.
- Oregon Conference chose to invest in grassroots leadership by hosting two elders’ trainings in Gladstone and Roseburg, respectively.
- Meanwhile, Washington Conference served as the hosting entity for Propel Conference where pastors and local leaders participated in four days of intentional programming that helped attendees explore fresh approaches, learn from one another and build stronger connections for future ministry.
Beyond conference reports, NPUC leaders shared ministry from across the field and beyond.
Peter Simpson, NPUC vice president for Hispanic ministries and ministerial director, shared his participation in an international evangelism caravan in Honduras. Over the course of 10 days and five locations, he witnessed more than 2,100 baptisms — a powerful testament to what’s possible through united evangelistic efforts. He returned to Idaho where he presented an evangelism campaign in Nampa in Spanish alongside a series in English given by Bill McClendon, NPUC vice president for administration.
Rob Lang, NPUC youth and young adult director, proudly reported how all eight NPUC-qualified Pathfinder teams received first-place finishes at this year’s Pathfinder Bible Experience finale.
NPUC officers lead executive committee members in prayer.
Membership Report
McClendon provided membership reports and noted how every quarter since the pandemic has continued to improve.
To date, in the first quarter of 2025, 397 people were baptized or joined the church by profession of faith. This number is expected to grow in the second quarter as baptisms from throughout the year to date are entered into the eAdventist membership database.
McClendon once again provided Pentecost 2025 participation numbers with 281 registered sites in the Pacific Northwest: 44.8% of sites are from Washington Conference, 25.6% are from Oregon Conference and 14.2% are from Upper Columbia Conference.
Your prayers and involvement in evangelism are always appreciated and encouraged, McClendon invited.
Brent Plubell, NPUC undertreasurer
Finance Report
Jeff Fogelquist, NPUC incoming chief financial officer, was present for the May 7 meeting to begin his onboarding process ahead of starting in his new role this summer.
Brent Plubell, NPUC undertreasurer, provided the first quarter financial report with a year-to-date tithe total of $23.7 million and a current increase of 0.78% in tithe. The union’s budget is slightly behind, but better than expected at this point in the year.
Plubell reported that overall conference-level tithe and other financial indicators remain strong — a positive indicator of consistent giving and deep commitment to supporting the church’s mission across the Northwest.
Keith Hallam, NPUC vice president for education
Education Report
Keith Hallam, NPUC vice president for education, shared the initial results of a school culture survey conducted in partnership with Johns Hopkins University.
The survey featured a sample of 2,318 students who voluntarily participated in the Pacific Northwest. The survey asked a variety of standard school culture questions in addition to questions customized for the Adventist school system.
Out of the 5.0 average scale for questions, the overall school climate scores frequently appeared in the 4.0 average range, Hallam reported. A handful of results in the 3.0 range give educators directions for future growth.
Alex Bryan, Walla Walla University president
WWU Report
Walla Walla University’s reputation for academic excellence and character formation is gaining organic attention from across the nation, reported Alex Bryan, WWU president.
During his report, Bryan reflected on the biblical story of Daniel — a narrative that has recently challenged his thinking about higher education, the next generation and the call for Adventist education to be “10 times better.”
His remarks offered a glimpse into a larger message he shared during alumni weekend. Watch his full, thought-provoking presentation here.
Jim Brown, NPUC planned giving director
Planned Giving Report
Jim Brown, Western Adventist Foundation past president and current planned giving director for NPUC and its ministry partners, shared his philosophy of connecting as many members as possible with conference Trust Services and Planned Giving departments.
“It’s better to keep these relationships local, so you can invest in the causes you care about the most,” Brown said. “You don’t have to shop around for estate planning services; our team will take good care of you.”
NPUC currently has 22 wills on file and 103 charitable gift annuities.
Dan Serns, NPUC church planting and lay training director
Church Growth Report
Dan Serns, NPUC church planting and lay training director, presented plans for adopting three union-wide dates for evangelism harvest cycle activities. The three dates you need to know about are:
- Aug. 16–23: Week of Prayer
- Nov. 15–22: Week of Reaping
- Nov. 22: Baptism Day
More information will be published soon regarding these plans.
Jay Graham, NPUC association treasurer
Association Report
Jay Graham, NPUC association treasurer, said there are currently 86 loans, valued at $24.9 million, on file with the union. Eight loans were paid off in 2024.
“The Revolving Fund is still open for donations,” Graham said. “We’ve received almost one-fifth of our goal to grow this fund to help finance more church and school infrastructure development.”
Graham also reported that Oregon Conference had paid off its line of credit that had been requested during a time of financial difficulty.
Personnel Updates
NPUC has a few new team members to introduce.
- Jose Segovia, most recently at Walla Walla University Church as communication and worship pastor, is now on assignment at NPUC as a media ministry coordinator. He began May 1.
- Jeff Fogelquist, previously introduced as NPUC chief financial officer, plans to begin in his new role in June.
- Stan Hudson, NPUC creation ministries director, will retire full-time at the end of July. He’s been functioning in a half-time role while visiting a number of schools for creation-themed weeks of prayer.
- Lois Serns is joining the NPUC team in a quarter-time role to provide administrative assistant support for church growth and revitalization.
Looking Ahead
As the NPUC team looks to the future, there’s growing excitement about the mission opportunities to “Reach One More” through upcoming evangelism, education and ministry initiatives.
Sixteen delegates will soon represent the Northwest at the General Conference Session — gaining a firsthand look at the global church in action.
Plans are also underway for a pastors’ family convention, the first since 2011, set to take place ahead of the NPUC constituency session in August 2026.
In addition, new domestic and international mission opportunities are being explored to engage multiple generations in hands-on service.
“The Holy Spirit’s work is bringing people to God,” Freedman remarked. “It’s good to partner with the Holy Spirit and with one another. Momentum continues to grow in our mission-driven efforts to Reach One More.”
