Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. [Photo credit: Justin Jeffery]
Studies have shown that Adventist churches grow when they combine traditional outreach methods with community engagement,1 testimony to the truth of Ellen White’s thoughts that Christ’s method of interaction—mingling with people and ministering to their needs—brings success in reaching people (MH 143). Ellen White also concludes that if these services are undertaken, accompanied “by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit” (MH 144). These sentiments represent the theological vision of the ACCC.
The core activity of the new Center is to mentor pastors to implement new or enhance existing community projects with their churches that address the needs of their communities. One-on-one mentoring will be provided by ACCC mentors who personally have a strong pastoral track record of church community engagement. Individualized training will be provided by the ACCC in community development practices related to needs assessment, grant writing, budgeting, project management and trauma. This training is open to all pastors regardless of their academic background.
The ACCC will reach out this spring to pastors and their conferences to recruit an initial 50 pastors to benefit from this mentoring. Mentoring will be provided to each pastor for three years, with an annual intake of 60 additional pastors. For pastors already experienced in community development, the ACCC will provide more focused support in grant writing for expanding or creating community engagement initiatives.
![Ignacio Goya. [Photo courtesy Ignacio Goya]](/build/image/11847.jpg?or=360&crop=%2C%2C%2C&w=480&h=480&s=9527f6a71b4382e743e2252c205bfa3a)
The ACCC will also collaborate closely with project partners including Adventist healthcare providers (Adventist Health and Kettering Health), Versacare, Adventist Community Services at the North American Division, the InMinistry Center and the Urban Ministry Network. The ACCC is currently working with its healthcare partners to develop a limited selection of project templates in which Adventist healthcare institutions can partner with local churches to improve community health outcomes.
Ignacio Goya was recently appointed as director of the Center. Goya worked for many years at ADRA, implementing programs related to development, food security, mental and physical health, education, micro-credit provision, human trafficking, disaster response and immigration. He most recently served as a pastor in the Chesapeake Conference where he put his ADRA experience into practice at the local church level. He also served as the conference ACS director, mentoring a network of other pastors and lay leaders to help them establish community projects with their churches—the network of pastors now mentors other pastors.
The initial phase of the ACCC project is funded through a generous $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., secured for Andrews University through the work of Carlisle Sutton, research services coordinator, Office of Research & Creative Scholarship, and Cedric Vine, associate professor of New Testament, Seminary.
If you feel God’s calling to join this mission, contact accc@andrews.edu.
Cedric Vine, associate professor of New Testament; director, MA (Religion) and Seminary Affiliations and Extensions
