A Time of Welcome for Our New President and Pastor

Greetings, Andrews University family and friends across the globe,

Each year we welcome new faculty, staff and students to Andrews University, and this year is no different. Whether you are new to the Andrews University family or have always been here, bienvenidos (welcome)! I am glad you are here, and we are better because you are part of this University community—"I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:4, NIV).

Yet, this year is different. Tomorrow, July 1, marks the official commencement of two leaders who will minister to our University community.

First, I want to welcome our new president, John Wesley Taylor V, and his wife Miriam. I know that you will be blessed and encouraged by his leadership, as I have been as I've gotten to know both of them and as they now immerse themselves in the fabric of Andrews University life. In the days to come, we will continue to invite our Andrews family to some special moments to welcome them.

This Sabbath, July 1, we will also welcome a new lead pastor for the first time in 40 years, Shane Anderson, to our University church—Pioneer Memorial Church. If you're in the Berrien Springs community this weekend, join us in welcoming Pastor Shane and his wife, Darlene, tomorrow at Pioneer Memorial Church. If you can't make it in person, the service will be livestreamed, or can be watched later, on the church's website.

Tomorrow's service of blessing, which begins at 11:45 a.m., will be presided over by Elder Jim Micheff, president of Michigan Conference. Our new president, John Wesley Taylor V, will also be present during tomorrow's church service to help welcome our new pastor.

Also, in the the year to come, Andrews University joins Pioneer Memorial Church with a plan to surround President Taylor and his wife Miriam, as well as Pastor Shane and his wife Darlene, with a year of intentional, focused prayer from our Andrews University family—both here on campus and around the world—during their first 365 days of leadership in this place that is a spiritual home for so many.

If you haven't signed up yet for this prayer initiative, please use the links below to choose your day to pray for the Taylors and/or the Andersons.

Or you can do as I have done for the last 13 years by including prayers for our colleagues on Mondays. Please do sign up! We would love to witness a full calendar year of pray-ers. :)

• Link for President Taylor and Miriam here.
• Link for Pastor Shane and Darlene here.

Again, gracias (thank you) for being part of the family!

Love is Life—John 3:16

José Bourget
University Chaplain
Assistant Vice President for Faith Engagement