AT1 Speaker Emily Whitney Answers the Question “How Does Christ Challenge Culture?”
Emily Whitney, DMin, has held the titles of pastor and adjunct professor. Right now she is especially loving the title of mom to Matthew (4) and Evelyn (3 months). She also happens to be speaking for this year’s Portland, Oregon-based October 4-6 AT1 gathering. As with all our speakers, we asked Emily to answer the question “How Does Christ Challenge Today’s Culture?” in 80 words or less.
Here’s her very insightful response:
Jesus entered a specific time, place and culture. He used stories and understandings of the time to teach Kingdom truths and to challenge oppressive practices and perspectives that would steal life. The power of Christ’s teachings reverberates still. The words of God-with-us continue to confront and comfort, offering freedom for the captives and healing for the broken. Jesus’ teachings challenge deaf ears, blind eyes and hard hearts, calling people then and now to life more abundant (John 10:10).
Here’s the full list of AT1 speakers and topics:
Alex Bryan, former senior pastor, Walla Walla University Church and current administrative director for mission identity for Adventist Health – Motives – Matthew 5:8
Karl Haffner, senior pastor, Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church and mission strategist at Kettering Health Network – Lust – Matthew 5:27-28
John McLarty, former executive editor for Adventist Today, current senior pastor, Green Lake Church in Seattle – The Rich – Mark 10:21-25
Michaela Lawrence Jeffery, senior pastor, Athens Georgia Seventh-day Adventist Church – False Testimony – Matthew 15:18-20
Chris Oberg, lead pastor, La Sierra University Church – presentation details coming soon.
Emily Whitney, spiritual discipleship pastor, Summit Northwest Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho – Sabbath – Mark 2:27-28
Jennifer Deans – senior pastor, Living Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sterling, Virginia – True Christians – John 13:34-35
Brenda Billingy – senior pastor, Metropolitan Church, Allegheny East Conference & NAD Ministerial – Communion – Luke 22:14-20
Kendra Haloviak Valentine – professor of New Testament Studies, H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, La Sierra University – Afraid? No Faith? – Mark 4:40
Dilys Brooks – campus chaplain, Loma Linda University – Anger – Matthew 5:21-22
Don Veverka – Community Relations Manager, Whitman Place – Grief – John 11:18-35
Joey Oh – pastor, Loma Linda University Church – Complacency – Matthew 12:30
John Brunt – author, New Testament theologian and former pastor at Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Terrace, California – Respondent
Marlene Ferreras – assistant professor of Practical Theology, H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, La Sierra University – Respondent
Linda Emmerson – instructor of philosophy, Walla Walla University – Reader
Nicholas Zork & Band – music
