Called By God
What does Pastor Brillhart find especially rewarding in her career?“ Discipling others, pastoral care / counseling, and visitation. I’ m working on a continuum of care for new members.”
Bumgardner, Leslie Helfer
Leslie Helfer converted to Adventism while in high school. Believing herself called to the ministry, she studied at Walla Walla College in Washington and graduated with a BA degree in religion. When it dawned on her that she might not find a ministerial position, she added a second major in home economics.
Leslie worked as a legislative aide and office manager for U. S. Congressman Thomas Foley, and was food service manager at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Maryland.
Leslie Bumgardner moved to Worthington, Ohio, where a conversation with the pastor rekindled Leslie ' s longing to enter the ministry. The only opening available, however, was as part-time secretary in the church office; she accepted the position. Leslie discussed her dream with the next senior pastor and was hired as a full-time Bible worker. A year later, in 1985, under a third pastor Leslie ' s calling took the form of associate pastor at the Worthington Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In1990 Leslie, with a core group, planted a congregation in Dublin, Ohio.
She joined the Walla Walla College Church staff in 1994. One of five pastors, she oversees the parish nurse program and health ministries, along with other pastoral care services.
For some years Pastor Bumgardner has baptized candidates whom she prepares for church membership. She repeatedly sees evidence that God wants her in the ministry and has fitted her for that calling.
Compton, Maggie M.
Maggie says about her call,“ From early childhood( around age 6 or 7), I felt the call of God to tell others about Jesus’ love. I became a nurse first, because there were no opportunities for women in ministry in the 1970 ' s. I provided spiritual care then, but in 1990 God opened the door to chaplaincy for me.”
Maggie prepared with a BA in Theology from Oakwood College in 1995 and the Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Andrews University. In 1998 she took a chaplain internship at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalazamoo, MI, followed in 1999 with the chaplain residency at St. Joseph’ s Regional Medical Center in South Bend, IN.
Chaplain Compton is the Protestant Staff Chaplain for the Ann Arbor Veterans’ Administration Health Care System in Ann Arbor, MI. Previously she has held other chaplain and hospice care positions in Louisiana and Texas.
A cause of frustration to Maggie Compton is the disrespect and disregard for women in ministry that she encounters. However, God“ continues to affirm my ministry by placing me in honorable opportunities to share His love with the sick and discouraged.” Chaplain Compton finds hospital ministry and palliative care rewarding.
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