
Maggiano's Little Italy
4 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116, United States
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​6:00-7:15 PM - Banquet Dinner
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7:15-7:30 PM - Welcome and Announcements by President-Elect
Tihomir Lazić, Newbold College
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​7:30-8:15 PM - Presidential Address 2025
"Religion and Trauma" (TBC)
Rodney Palmer, Andrews University
 
8:15-9:00 PM - Business Session I
Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston, Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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6:15-8:00 AM
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Adventist Women's Scholars Breakfast hosted by the North American Division (TBC)
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8:00-9:00 AM      Plenary Session I
Venue: Hynes 313
Presiding: Rodney Palmer, Andrews University
Plenary Presentation #1: Restoration or Inflammation? Musings on the Interface of Adventist Culture and the Realm of Trauma Studies
Carmen Lau, Adventist Forum
Plenary Presentation #2: Meaning-Making, Hope, and Resilience: Reading the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25) as a Trauma Narrative in an Age of Anxiety
Laszlo Gallusz, Newbold College
Discussion (10 min)
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Paper Sessions
9:10-10:10 AM                  Paper Session I
Religion and Trauma in the Old Testament
Venue: Hynes 309
Presiding: Goran Zivkovic, Theologische Hochschule Friedensau
Paper #1: Ancient Egyptian Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Exodus Remedy
Leslie Scott Baker Jr, Andrews University
Paper #2: Examining Elijah’s Trauma-induced Depression – Implications for Addressing Mental Illness in 2025
Erin Stone, Kaiser Permanente — Southern California
Paper #3: Indecent Proposal: The Rabshakeh’s Speech and the Divine Response in Isaiah 36–37
Ivan Milanov, Newbold College
Discussion (15 min)
Religion and Trauma in the New Testament
Venue: Hynes 313
Presiding: Oleg Kostyuk, AdventHealth University
 
Paper #1: The Healing of the Paralytic—A Case of Functional Neurologic Disorder?
Lisa Hermann, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Paper #2: Matthew’s Directives for the Persecuted
Ernie Bursey, AdventHealth University
Paper #3: A Mimetic and Trauma-Informed Perspective on the Fall of Babylon
Kayle de Waal, Trans-European Division
Discussion (15 min)
Trauma in the Life of the Church
Venue: Hynes 311
Presiding: Bohdan Kuryliak, University of Zürich
 
Paper #1: On Experiencing Religious Abuse and Trauma in the Church
Petr Cincala, Andrews University
Paper #2: Traumatization of Seventh-day Adventist Church Members in the Context of the War in Ukraine
Valentyna Kuryliak, Ukranian Institute of Arts and Science
Paper #3: Health on the Margins: Minimizing the Trauma of Health Essentialism
Patrick Johnson, Trans-European Division
Discussion (15 min)
 
10:20-11:20  AM               Paper Session II
 
Religion and Trauma in Acts and Pauline Literature
Venue: Hynes 313
Presiding: Amilcar Groschel, Washington Adventist University
Paper #1: Abandoned by Jesus: The Trauma of Jesus’ Ascension
Eike Muller, Newbold College
Paper #2: Found Families: “Confessional Communities” in the Early Christian Movement
Jonathan Campbell, Burman University
Paper #3: Paul’s Advice to Wives and Husbands (Ephesians 5:21–33) and the Trauma of Slavery
John McVay, Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventism
Theology After Trauma: Faith Seeking Healing
Venue: Hynes 311
Presiding: Tammy L. Wiese, University of St. Andrews
Paper #1: Healing Through the Word: A Canonical Approach to Scripture as a Trauma Resource
Jacob Aguimeshe and Mitun Beik, AIIAS, Philippines
Paper #2: Sin, Authority, and Trauma
Jim Wibberding, Pacific Union College
Paper #3: Three-Phase Salvation from Suffering and Trauma
Cory Wetterlin, Kettering College
Forming Healers: Trauma-Informed Education and Ministry
Venue: Hynes 309
Presiding: Zane Yi, Loma Linda University
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Paper #1: Wounded Healers: A Theological Exploration of the Effectiveness of Healing Ministries Among Previously Traumatized Pastoral Caregivers
Solomon Appiah, Valley View University
 
Paper #2: Training Healthcare Students for Resilience and Compassion in a Trauma-Informed Context: Case Studies from Teaching
Marla Nedelcu, AdventHealth University
 
Paper #3: Religious Education as a Pathway to Healing and Identity Formation in University Students
Hebert Liessi, Northeast Brazil Adventist University
 
11:30 AM-12:00 PM              Business Session II
Venue: Hynes 313
12:00-1:00 PM               Plenary Session II
Venue: Hynes 313
Presiding: Katrina Blue, Pacific Union College
Plenary Presentation #1: The Trauma of Public Shaming in Early Adventism
Denis Fortin, Andrews University
Plenary Presentation #2: Trauma and Testimony: A Case Study
Gilbert Valentine, La Sierra University and Avondale University
Discussion (15 min)
1:00-2:00 PM           Lunch Break   
2:00-3:20  PM             Paper Session IV
 
Apocalypse and Affliction: Trauma and the End of Things
Venue: Hynes 306
Presiding: Lena Toews, Union Adventist University
Paper #1: Eschatological Existence and Trauma: Zechariah 9–14 and the Reconstruction of Judah’s Shattered Symbolic Universe
​Filipe Masotti, Latin-American Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Adventist College of Paraná
Paper #2: Trauma and Moral Injury as Catalysts Driving Theology
Jan Åge Sigvartsen, Andrews University
Paper #3: Everyone's Dying and the World is Ending: the 1850s Review Deaths and Eschatology
Laura Wibberding, Pacific Union College
Discussion (15 min)
Trauma, Justice, and the Margins of Faith
Venue: Hynes 313
Presiding: Zdravko Plantak, Loma Linda University 
Paper #1: Living While Black: Toxic Triggers and Adventist Trauma
Keith Burton, AdventHealth University
Paper #2: Unsettling Truths and Exodus 20:22-26: An Appeal for more Trauma-Informed Approaches to Racial Reconciliation in Christianity
Alyssa Hislop, Fuller Theological Seminary
Paper #3: Bending Toward Justice: How Perceptions of Divine Justice Influence Trauma Recovery
Elise Linné Harboldt, Cambridge University
Paper #4: Soul Trauma: The Plight of LGBTQ+ Members
Jim Walters, Loma Linda University
Discussion (15 min)
Healing the Wounded: Trauma-Informed Ministry in Action
Venue: Hynes 309
Presiding: Willie E. Hucks II, Andrews University
Paper #1: Suffering within Anointing for Ministry: Pain & Comfort in Biblical Leadership
Duane Covrig, Kettering College
Paper #2: The Exorcist and Peter Pan: How Satanic Panic Tropes Haunt Adventist Deliverance Ministries and Contribute to Religious Trauma
Seth Pierce, Walla Walla University
Paper #3: Faith, Mission, & Transformation: Li Weisan’s Aesthetic Expression of SDA’s Historical Trauma in China
Christie Chui-Shan Chow, Andrews University
Paper #4: Trauma and the Benefits of Resilient Recovery for the Incarcerated
Sean Facchinello, Federal Bureau of Prisons, FCI Big Spring, Texas
Discussion (15 min)
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3:30-4:15 PM   Plenary Session III
Venue: Hynes 313
Presiding: Zdravko Plantak, Loma Linda University 
Plenary Presentation #2: Only the Suffering God Can Help”: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Vulnerability, and a Theological Ethics of Trauma
Jeffrey Gang, Loma Linda University
Plenary Presentation #1: Oppressing Women in God’s Name: Who Has the Final Say?
Pilira Zapita, Newbold College
4:15-5:15 PM            Sectional Meetings by Discipline
 
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Christian Theology and History: Martin Hanna, Andrew University
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New Testament: Erhard Gallos, Andrews University
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Old Testament: Oliver Glanz, Andrews University
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Philosophy and Ethics: Matthew Korpman, La Sierra University
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Practical Theology: Ernest Furness, Northern California Conference
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World Religions/Missiology: John Jones, La Sierra University
 
5:15-5:45 PM            Additional Sectional Meetings
 
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Black Theology Group​: Olive Hemmings, Washington Adventist University
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Women in Theology Group​: Lena Toews, Union Adventist University
Venue: Hynes Convention Center 313
Sabbath Program and Worship Coordinator: Tihomir Lazic, Newbold College
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9:00-9:40 AM         Morning Devotional
Plenary Presentation #1: Pastoral and Theological Reflections on Paul’s Multi-Faceted Response to “Afflictions”
John Brunt, La Sierra University
Plenary Presentation #2: Discipleship as a Pathway to Healing: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Spiritual Formation
Dioi Cruz, Middle East University
9:40-11:00 AM           Sabbath School Panel Discussion 
Reflections and Responses: The Oxford Handbook of Seventh-day Adventism (2024)
Moderator: Michael Campbell
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11:15 AM-12:45 PM        Worship Service 
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Sermon: Good God! What Have We Done to You?
Randy Roberts, Loma Linda University
12:45-1:00 PM 2025 ASRS Photoshoot
Adventist Scholars' Supper/Vespers by NAD Ministerial Department
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Location: Greater Boston Academy, 108 Pond Street, Stonehamn, MA (Buses provide by NAD)
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Start Time: TBD Adventist Scholars' Supper/Vespers by NAD Ministerial Department