After 11 years of faithful ministry in Oregon Conference, Kara Johnsson, Oregon Conference vice president for administration, announced her transition to Adventist Health Portland at the end of September.
Previously, Johnsson served in Oregon Conference as Sunnyside Adventist Church associate pastor in Portland, Oregon, and as Oasis Christian Center lead pastor in Vancouver, Washington.
In her new role, Johnsson leads Adventist Health Portland’s philanthropy department.
“It has been a privilege to serve this conference over the past 11 years. The people I’ve had the privilege to work with have been some of the best. Both in my experience as a pastor and as an administrator, every opportunity to serve here has been a blessing,” shared Johnsson. “I am deeply grateful for this season of ministry and particularly for the administrative team that I have been gifted to serve alongside. They are a rare combination of integrity, kindness, wisdom and courage, and it has been an honor and a joy to work with them."
She continued, "While I'll miss the daily work of the conference, I am excited to continue supporting our shared Adventist mission. Over these same 11 years in Portland, I have become deeply embedded in both the Adventist church communities and the surrounding local communities they serve. I look forward to carrying these relational foundations in my new role, looking for clear and authentic ways for us to share in our mission of healing and hope."
"I am eager to strengthen our hospital’s presence and positive impact in these neighborhoods and communities I have come to know and love," she said. "And I want to say thank you to each of our Oregon Conference church members for their partnership, encouragement and friendship during my time here so far. I look forward to staying connected as we each continue serving in the ways God leads!”
John McVay, Oregon Conference president, shared that Johnsson’s impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
“Those of us who've worked closely with Johnsson have been so blessed by her diligent work, her hopeful outlook, her appreciation for her colleagues and her love for God and the church," he said. "We will deeply miss her excellent leadership and thoughtful counsel. In her work as Oregon Conference vice president for administration, Johnsson has brought commitment, excellent education, rich pastoral experience and a heartfelt love for our sisterhood of churches to bear on her duties. Ably leading us through difficult chapters, she has scribed a message of hope rooted in God’s love for his people. Thank you, Johnsson! From all of us.”
