L: José Bourget, University chaplain, photo credit Julia Viniczay
R: Danielle Pilgrim, associate chaplain, photo credit Lloyd Martinez
BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich.—Andrews University is pleased to welcome two new chaplains to its Campus Ministries team. José Bourget has accepted the position of University chaplain and began his work on January 1, 2020. Danielle Pilgrim has accepted the position of associate chaplain and began her work in late January 2020.
“We have taken the unusual approach in our University plan to talk not about strategic initiatives but storylines. The first of those storylines reads: ‘To live, work or study at Andrews University will mean active engagement in a community that is passionate about being a caring, inclusive, healthy community of faith,’” says Andrea Luxton, president. “Central to the direction of this storyline is the chaplaincy office. Our chaplains must be able to collaborate and engage with the totality of our campus community to ensure faith development is central to what we do and that this faith development makes a difference in the way we live both on campus and in our communities. It is with that in mind that the search committee worked and candidates were selected.”
As the lead chaplain, Bourget is primarily responsible for creating the faith development strategy for Andrews and ensuring this priority is embedded into the campus culture and community. From his undergraduate years as a student at Andrews University, Bourget has been engaged in youth ministry, outreach, chaplaincy and making events happen. He is an innovator, strategist and organizer. “I look forward to working with this generation of faculty and staff in developing resilient Jesus followers,” says Bourget.
Pilgrim is a 2015 graduate from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Most recently, she was the associate pastor at the Atlanta Berean Adventist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. There she focused on and excelled in three areas: community engagement, youth and young adult ministry, and discipleship and care. She is a preacher and a doer, leaving each community she has served better because of her focus on care and engagement. Pilgrim says, “I hope to facilitate an environment where students, faculty and staff pursue emotional wholeness and selfless service to others as an integral part of their faith development journey.”
Luxton says, “I am excited to be working alongside José, who has such a deep passion for students as well as the capacity to help us all keep our focus clear, and I look forward to the energy and commitment Danielle will bring to her position.”
A third appointment for the Campus Ministries office is still outstanding. That appointment is made through the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and Pioneer Memorial Church.
Founded in 1874, Andrews University is the flagship institution of higher education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and offers more than 160 areas of study, including advanced degrees. Its main campus is in Berrien Springs, Michigan, but the University also provides instruction at colleges and universities in more than 25 countries around the world.
