Author: Gia Arroyo

In the second-grade, I was in a multi-grade class with a teacher who was also the principal. It was tough for me to comprehend what she was teaching half of the time due to the distractions.

Because I had difficulty learning in such an environment, my parents decided to pull me from that Adventist school. So, starting in fourth-grade and up until eighth-grade, I was enrolled in an Episcopalian School.

It gifted me the experience of going to school with people outside of my denomination and outside of my religion. Each and every student in my class was different. We all had a story,  and we all had different beliefs, but we somehow put it all aside and became friends.

I was able to learn about everyone’s culture and religion in a wholesome way. In eighth grade, each student of a different religion/denomination presented to the class their beliefs. Then we’d research as a class different aspects of those religions and visit their place of worship.

Upon graduating from Saint Joseph’s, I went to a Baptist high school in my area. My two years at Berean Christian School were tough, mainly because for the first time in my life my beliefs were challenged.

If I said I went to church on the Sabbath, they would mock me and tell me how that made no sense. It was exhausting trying to explain it to so many people and just hearing people judge or question me.

Going to school outside the “Adventist Bubble” has many advantages and disadvantages. I was able to learn about my friends’ different religions. I was exposed to things while at Saint Josephs that I would have never learned at an Adventist academy. At Berean, I learned how beautiful it is to praise Jesus through praise and worship.  I wholeheartedly believe that being at Saint Joe’s and Berean made me appreciate Adventism even more.

When my family was transferred to Orlando, I completed my last two years of high school at Forest Lake Academy. Being able to go to school functions that didn’t conflict with the Sabbath was a beautiful and refreshing feeling. It felt great not having to deal with the pressures of the social norms from my previous high school. Everyone understood me, and I understood them.

I believe it is important for me to do the same for my children. Keeping me in a private Christian school was very beneficial to me, despite it not being Adventist.

In the end, I am thankful for the path my parents and God put me on- even if it meant leaving the “Adventist Bubble.”

By Gia Arroyo

Growing up in a household that is split religiously is never an easy thing. My mother went through a situation like this at home. Although her parents were both Christian, it was still difficult living with a Seventh-day Adventist mom and Pentecostal dad. 

Wanting to see how common this is, I decided to research it online. According to a Pew Research Center study done in 2016, “roughly one-in-five U.S. adults were raised with a mixed religious background.”

The research center also discovered that 48 percent of children who grew up in a two-religion household are more likely to follow their mother’s faith. 

While researching this information, I remembered that my roommate, Shirali Pathak and her older sister, Prianca, grew up in a mixed religious household. They were raised by a Seventh-day Adventist mother and Hindu father.

“My dad not only wanted us to keep his values, as well as my mom’s,” said Shirali.  “We had a choice to make.” 

 Sabbaths were fun for Shirali. Being able to go to church and enjoy Adventures/Pathfinders is a memory that she’s fond of. The majority of her schooling has been in the Adventist education system. Prior to entering college, her father did not mind that she was in an SDA school. 

The issues arose when Shirali and Prianca decided to come to Southern.

“My dad was very against it ’cause he wanted us to be home, and he didn’t understand why we wanted to continue going to an Adventist school,” she said.

Because of this, supporting Shirali and her sister financially for school has fallen on their mother, she said.  Although it is difficult sometimes, when the topic of religion comes up, Shirali remains thankful that her father is understanding and respects her decision of being a Christian.

The topic of women’s ordination within the Seventh-day Adventist church has been a controversial one for decades. Although it may seem like the church is completely against it, a study written by Ed Mcfield, associate professor at LLU School of Public Health, states otherwise.

In the document, Mcfield states that out of 13 divisions, seven of them indicated support of women’s ordination. There were five divisions that opposed it. Out of those five, four of the divisions stated that they would accept women being ordained only if it was approved by the church. The East-Central Africa Division’s stance on the issue is unclear. Interestingly, there was only one division —  Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Division — that was “adamantly opposed to Women’s Ordination and even proposes to rescind women’s ordination for elders.”

As time goes on, women’s ordination may no longer be taboo within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Because of this, I wanted to reach out to women who are currently studying ministry at an SDA institution and ask them a few questions. Meet the future women leaders of our church.

Meet Hormar Barboza:

Hormar Barboza is currently a junior at Southern Adventist University. She is majoring in pastoral care.

It was a Sabbath evening when she felt the Lord calling her to ministry. Only 16 at the time, Hormar said, “As I was getting home I remember thinking it and feeling it.”

This moment occurred in 2005. At that time, she knew that women going into ministry was taboo. She clearly remembers thinking that if she were a guy, she would go into ministry.

“I pushed the thought of ministry out of my mind because I was a girl,” she said. 

Barboza believes that, overall, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is supportive of women as pastors/religious leaders.

“Let’s not get stuck on the trivial stuff,”  she said.

Barboza feels the topic of women’s ordination is taking people’s attention away from the church’s goal and the Gospel.

In the future, she sees herself working primarily as a chaplain, whether it be at a hospital or the military. With excitement, she shared that her ultimate career goal is to serve the Lord as the U.S. Senate Chaplain.

When finishing up the interview with Hormar, I asked her what would she say to younger girls that are wanting to pursue ministry.

She quickly replied, “Go for it. Do not doubt God’s call.”

Meet Claudia Reyes:

Claudia Reyes is finishing up her senior year at Southern Adventist University. While at SAU, she has been studying pastoral care. It all started while in high school. During that time, Claudia’s father began working as a chaplain at Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth) in Apopka, Florida.

Chaplain Reyes was a part of a hospital ministry that set out to sing and bring flowers to patients most Fridays. She recalls how shy she was the first time she went, but she quickly fell in love with it and never missed a Friday.

Because of her experience with this ministry, Claudia felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to go into ministry. This was not something she ever saw herself studying, but the conviction was strong and it led her to Southern. Something that has made the process of studying ministry easier has been the support that she’s received from her professors. 

One of the changes that Claudia would like to see within the church is more culturally diverse women going into ministry. She’d like to see more Hispanic. African American, and Asian women. Being Hispanic herself, Claudia understands how going into ministry isn’t a norm in her culture.

“I’ve noticed in Hispanic churches it isn’t as accepted [compared to American/Caucasian churches],” she said. ” I want them to be more accepting.”

Claudia’s career plans are clearly defined. She wishes to work in a hospital and is setting her sights on AdventHealth in Central Florida. Starting off as a chaplain, and eventually, when she’s had more experience, being able to transition into a supervisor position.

Reyes wants young girls that are thinking about ministry to not be discouraged. People will give their opinions but she recommends not letting it distract them. 

“God will bless you for following and listening to him,” she said. “Stick to what God has called you to do.”

Meet Jaude Valentine: 

Jaude Valentine is also a senior at Southern Adventist University and is majoring in ministerial theology.

From the moment of her conversion, Jaude knew that she wanted to share the good news with others, though initially thinking she’d do so through Bible- teaching or nursing. God had other plans —  calling her to ministry. 

At first, Jaude felt “it was a crazy idea and that it required a very special girl to want to go into pastoral ministry.” Such feelings of denial followed her to Southern but eventually wore off.

Although she’d like to see the support of women in ministry, Jaude feels the debate has led to the church neglecting the ministry that God called it to do. Shifting the focus to reach those who have never heard the name of Jesus is a change she feels is necessary.

“I would like to see our church take on a culture of evangelism, specifically friendship evangelism,” she said. 

When asked what she would say to younger girls wanting to pursue ministry, Valentine said she would encourage them to read more of Ellen White’s writings for encouragement.

Also, she would tell them to “rely upon God for their strength, which comes from spending time with Him in prayer and meditating upon His love; reading His word, and developing a deeply intimate relationship.” 

It is difficult to remember what life was like before my dad was a pastor. There is no point in me trying to recall because I was so small when he started. My life has always been surrounded by church-related events; the whole routine of constantly being part of a congregation is normal.

The memories include: Spending hours after school in the sanctuary, and doing homework while my dad was in meetings. My dad driving me to the McDonald’s across the street and then rushing back to a meeting.

Once I finished my homework, I’d crawl under the church pews and count how many pieces of gum were stuck underneath. Sometimes I’d quietly stand behind the pulpit and mimic my dad.

Sabbath mornings were a rush for me. I would wake up early and leave for church with my father. I would follow him as he passed by each Sabbath School class, wishing everyone a “Happy Sabbath.”

My mother and I always sat in the front row to listen to him preach. I loved how passionate he got when he’d read a verse. His analogies were often silly, but they helped get his point across. His energy behind the pulpit was something I looked up to.

Last year, my Dad decided to look for a slower-paced occupation. For the sake of his wellbeing and health, he wanted a 9 to 5 job. A part of me was very happy for him. He was a hard worker and he deserved to disconnect from work when he got home. The other half of me took this really hard. If I’m being honest, I still haven’t accepted it. Being a pastor’s kid was a part of who I was. This was a tough pill for me to swallow. It happened at the same time as I got ready to leave the house and move to SAU.

I was faced with a challenge once I arrived at Collegedale. What is church without my dad?  Any church without him seemed bleak. I wasn’t interested in going. I only went to vespers ’cause I needed the credit.

There was not a connection between me and God. Because of this, I stopped going to church for a year and a half. I wasn’t open to looking for a new church. I believed that I wouldn’t find one that made me feel good. During this time away from church, I felt the negative impacts of not going.

My goal for 2019 is to go back to church. Although we’re only a couple months into the year, I have been consistently church-hopping and trying to find my place. I wish I could say that this story has a perfect ending, but I guess it doesn’t — at least not yet.

I am trying to be consistent, but my motivation to attend services comes in waves. I realize that I need to take care of my relationship with God. I’m determined to go to church.  I just have to learn how to do church  without my dad.

 

 

 

 

 

Church photos by FernandezMedia