Joi McClellan to Represent Lake Union at North American Division Year-end Meetings.
Joi is currently a student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor. She completed her undergraduate studies in music with minors in chemistry and biology graduating at the top of her class at Southern Adventist University. During her time at Southern, she was a piano and violin instructor, a choral accompanist, and a tutor.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Joi took a gap year to serve as a missionary on the campus of Michigan State University in the middle of the pandemic. She collaborated with local churches, student groups, and the community to bring spiritual, mental, and physical stability to young adults in East Lansing and beyond. After prayerfully considering various scholarships across the country, she chose to continue her ministry as a student in Michigan.
McClellan is the president of Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) at the University of Michigan—one of our official Adventist student organizations on campus. She is also the Class of 2025 Health and Wellness Chair for the School of Dentistry where she leads out in providing wellness programs and events that support her classmates.
Israel Ramos, public campus ministry coordinator and director for the Lake Union and Michigan, respectively says that Joi has a wide variety of experience in working with cross-cultural contexts. “She serves in church and secular leadership settings, she is a leader among her peers, and she has a breadth of knowledge and experience across many platforms. She will represent us very well—especially young adults who feel that they come from under-represented backgrounds, high-achieving academic contexts, and those who have ties to both Adventist and non-Adventist colleges and universities. She is a great example of what we want all of our Lake Union young adults to model and she has the full support of our Lake Union PCM representatives and youth directors.”
The Lake Union is one of a very small number who historically have sent young adults to sit on the highest governing body of the North American Division. For more than five years, we have sent young adults from public and Adventist colleges to represent our field in the discussion of topics that move the mission of the church.
Alanna Rodriguez is student ministry director for the Center for Adventist Ministry to Public University Students (CAMPUS).
