Congress on Social Justice
The biblical account of Creation informs us that humanity was created in God’s image and granted authority to rule over other animate beings that God created during the fifth and sixth days of that first week (Gen 1:26–28). God also authorized humanity to take care of other elements of His creation (Gen 2:15). Unfortunately, the entrance of sin brought disequilibrium to all relationships and disrupted the ecological balance (Gen 3:16–18). Humanity longs for renewal and restoration, and Christianity claims the promise of recreation (Rev 21:1, 5). However, we are not called to sit idly by while waiting for the divine fulfillment of the promise. Biblical prophets call for immediate action to address existing injustices in an effort to affirm the Imago Dei (see Isa 1:17; 61:1–2; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8; Matt 23:23; James 5:1–6).
The Congress on Social Justice is designed to bring attention to global issues of imbalance as well as the biblical solutions that address them. In the process, it will be seen that an intimate link exists between caring for creation in its fulness and beauty and proclaiming the Three Angels’ Message of Revelation 14.
Thursday,
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7– 8:30 p.m., Keynote AdressCristian Dumitrescu—Sex Trafficking and Social Justice |
Friday,
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9–10:30 a.m., Plenary 1/3
Akintayo Odeyemi—Female Genital Mutilation and Social Justice 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Breakout SessionsMichael Campbell—Social Justice, Adventism and Fundamentalism Roy Gane—Social Justice in Biblical Law: Power and Distribution of Resources Melissa Ponce—Domestic Abuse and Social Justice
Robert Osei-Bonsu and Solomon Appiah—Homiletics and Social Justice 2–3:30 p.m., Plenary 2/3
Joel Raveloharimisy—Environment and Social Justice 3:45–5:15 p.m., Breakout SessionJiri Moskala—Hermeneutics of Social Justice Kenley Hall—Ellen White: Prophetic Voice of Radical Abolitionism and Civil Disobedience Ingram London—The Contours of Ellen White’s Embryonic Adventist Black Liberation Theology, 1844–1899 Jochebed Ade-Oshifogun—Health Disparities and Social Justice |
Saturday,
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9–11:45 a.m., Worship Moments
Wintley Phipps 3–4:30 p.m., Breakout SessionsHyveth Williams—Preaching Social Justice Sung Kwon—Restorative Justice Remwil Tornalejo—Environmental Justice
Nicholas Miller—A Biblical View of Politics and Social Justice. 6:30–8 p.m., Musical Worship (Pionner Memorial Church) |
Contact Information
Email: csj@andrews.edu
Phone: 269-471-6371
Event Manager: Willie Edward Hucks II
About Speakers
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Akintayo Odeyemi |
Akintayo “Tayo” Odeyemi has been an active player in the community development industry for more than a quarter century, serving most recently as executive director in the ADRA Africa Regional Office, with initial responsibilities of Programs and Planning director as well as emergency management and strategic planning. He holds a doctorate in agricultural extension and rural sociology from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. During his years of service, he has also labored in Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya. |
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Cristian Dumitrescu |
Cristian Dumitrescu teaches world mission and intercultural studies and research at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines. He is the editor for the Journal of Asia Adventist Seminary, and a regional editor for the Journal of Adventist Mission Studies. Cristian was born in the beautiful country of Romania, during the time of Communism. He grew up learning early in his life how to cope with challenges and experienced religious persecution. Cristian spent several decades studying current social issues such as the immigration phenomenon in Europe and Asia, the case of the invisible children in China, people being trafficked especially for sex and forced labor across borders, and the impact of particular worldviews and values on the way to communicate the gospel especially in shame and honor cultures. This passion was born during his ministry with nomadic Gypsies in Romania, as well as with children with disabilities and marginalized people. |
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Hyveth Williams |
Hyveth Williams serves as director of the Doctor of Ministry program and professor of homiletics at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, Michigan. She also serves as lead pastor of The Grace Place in South Bend, Indiana. She has served on the Seminary’s Ethnocentricity, Race and Social Justice Committee, and leads the process in developing a Doctor of Ministry concentration on biblical social justice. |
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Ingram London |
Ingram London is an assistant professor of systematic theology and ethics at Oakwood University and is currently completing a PhD in religion (philosophical theology) at Andrews University. His research interest sits at the intersection of Black Theology and Adventist studies. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and has served as a lay-pastor in Indiana and Texas. |
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Kenley Hall |
Kenley Hall spent 15 years in pastoral ministry primarily within the rich ethnic/cultural diversity of the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area in northern California. He received his DMin in homiletics in 2008 from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. His project dissertation was titled "A Model for Preaching in a Multiethnic/Multicultural Context. He currently serves as professor of homiletics and youth & young adult ministry at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Kenley is married to Roshelle. They have two children, Maya and Josh. Kenley also serves as lead pastor at One Place, a worshipping community for young adults (and the not so young) on the campus of Andrews University. One Place also serves as a training center for select TFE students. |
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Michael Campbell |
Michael Campbell teaches church history and theology at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and theology from Southern Adventist University and a master’s degree and doctorate from Andrews University. He is married to Heidi, and they have two children, Emma and David. |
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Nicholas Miller - A Biblical View of Politics and Social Justice. |
Nicholas Miller received his JD from Columbia University Law School, and also has a PhD in American religious and legal history from the University of Notre Dame. Nicholas has argued many church/state cases in state and federal courts, has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Mitchell v. Helms, and is the author of more than 30 scholarly and professional journal articles and book chapters dealing with issues of church, state and society. |
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Jiri Moskala |
Jiri Moskala is dean and professor of Old Testament exegesis and theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He joined the faculty in 1999. Prior to coming to Andrews, Moskala served in various capacities (ordained pastor, administrator, teacher and principal) in the Czech Republic. He is a member of different theological societies and has authored or edited a number of articles and books in the Czech and English languages. In addition, he has participated in several archaeological expeditions in Tell Jalul, Jordan. |
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Joel Raveloharimisy |
Joel Raveloharimisy's life goal is to alleviate poverty in Madagascar. To this end, from 1999 to 2007 he raised funds to construct over 300 classrooms and school buildings and numerous churches throughout rural and urban Madagascar. Between 2003 and 2011, he also helped to establish the first ophthalmological clinic and education center in the country. In 2003, he started Actions for Madagascar, a group of dedicated students and young professionals with a goal of creating positive and sustainable changes in Madagascar by empowering youth and women, advocacy and community development. The team designs and implements activities that assist less fortunate families, women and young people with starting small businesses in both rural and urban areas. |
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Jochebed Ade-Oshifogun |
Bea Ade-Oshifogun is an Endowed Nursing professor at Andrews University. She completed her nursing PhD at the University of Chicago, Illinois. She has more than 30 years of clinical and nursing education experience working in Africa, Europe and the United States. Her research foci are educational environment assessment, nutrition & obesity, and culture & diversity. She has authored manuscripts in scholarly journals and has presented her research findings at several international scientific conferences. Ade-Oshifogun presently holds certifications for nursing education (CNE) and nursing informatics (RN-BC). While in Nigeria, she worked with the West Nigerian Mission to set up clinics and health centers in rural areas of West Nigeria and worked as a literature evangelist for four years. She holds Nigerian midwifery and public health certifications. She taught and prepared students for a minor in health studies at the Adventist Seminary of West Africa, Nigeria. In the United Kingdom, she worked in various nursing disciplines, including surgical, medical, ear nose & throat, intensive care, mother-baby and orthopedic units. She also taught students at Newbold College, England. She enjoys research, singing and evangelism. |
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Melissa Ponce |
Melissa Ponce is an assistant professor of psychology at Andrews University. She holds an MA and PhD in community psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research and outreach focus is on the intersection of religion and domestic violence in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She urges everyone to learn about the EndItNow campaign, to raise awareness of domestic abuse, and to be a part of the solution. |
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Robert Osei-Bonsu |
Robert Osei-Bonsu, PhD, MEd, is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and currently serves as dean, Theological Seminary of the Adventist University of Africa, located in Nairobi, Kenya. His area of specialization is historical-theological studies. He also serves as the coordinator for the PhD Biblical and Theological Studies Program. Possessing considerable teaching and ministerial experience, among his greatest gifts is that of coaching and instilling confidence in colleagues and students. |
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Remwil Tornalejo |
Remwil Rada Tornalejo is a professor in the Historical-Theological Department of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) Seminary in the Philippines, where he specializes in Christian ethics. He served as a pastor in Mindanao, a Literature Ministry Seminary dean and instructor at the South Philippine Union Conference and chair of the theology department of the South Philippine Adventist College, before coming to AIIAS. He is married to Marilou Manatad. They have four grown children: Wilmaree, Adlai Wilfred, Ingrid Idyll and Dwight Mark. |
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Roy Gane |
Roy Gane is professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He earned a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Roy has published several books about the Bible, including "Old Testament Law for Christians: Original Context and Enduring Application" (Baker Academic, 2017), and numerous journal articles and book chapters, including the chapter on “Social Justice” in The Oxford Handbook of Biblical Law (2019). He is particularly interested in exploring ways that principles from biblical laws and sanctuary worship can guide and empower modern people who choose to accept transformation by Christ through the Holy Spirit in preparation for Christ’s Second Coming. He has given presentations on six continents at events such as scholarly conferences, camp meetings, pastors’ meetings and Bible conferences. |
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Solomon Appiah |
Solomon Appiah, MTh, a trained pastor and theologian, is a graduate of Valley View University in Ghana, and is currently a doctoral candidate at Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Ghana. He has pastored churches in Accra and led several evangelistic campaigns. His research interests span various disciplines, including theology/religion, ethics and organizational effectiveness. His PhD research concentrates on “ethical considerations for public theological engagement within African Christian contexts.” He loves preaching, farming, volunteering and social outreach, as well as spending time with friends. |
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Sung Kwon |
Sung Kwon is the former executive director of the North American Division Adventist Community Services (ACS). He served over 20 years and is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Though he grew up in a family with Buddhist and Catholic beliefs, he became a baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1991. While serving at NAD ACS, he has challenged the social justice dimensions of holistic engagement from charity to restorative justice; and expanded the scope of ACS services from relief to individual/community development and structural change/advocacy. |
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Wintley Phipps Shabbat speaker |
Wintley Augustus Phipps is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, minister and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, Songs of Freedom Publishing Company, and Coral Records Recording Company. He features a booming baritone voice, usually singing inspirational gospel music. He is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister. |
REGISTER NOW
- Phone: 269-471-6371
- Email: hucks@andrews.edu
- Email: path@andrews.edu