Julie Vega received a BA in Religion from Andrews University, Master in Social Work from University of Kentucky, Accreditation with Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. She is Ordained as local church elder, holds Commissioned Minister Credentials.
Julie was Director of Pastoral Care at Tennessee Christian Medical Center from 1999 until 2006. Prior experience is Home Health Chaplain with Sunbelt Home Health from 1992 until 1998
God has been preparing Julie for this position for a long time. Her call to ministry began at the tender age of sixteen, when she heard God’s voice telling her, “You will be a pastor.” As she sat in her church at Union College, the large pulpit looming in her vision at the front of the church caused her to catch her breath. “God, are you sure?” she questioned. Her summer as a colporteur doing personal evangelism reassured her that her spiritual gifts fit the original call from God. Since that time, God has given her a chain of opportunities to receive her degrees and to minister.
As the result of her chaplaincy training and experience, Julie brings compassion and a calming, peaceful influence in crisis situations. She has the ability to meet people in their “faith-quake” and use this to encourage a “turning” to God. She has learned skills to help people through grief, loss, trauma, habits, hurts, and hang ups and lead them to spiritual growth. She brings these and many other things to the position of Pastor of Community Outreach.
Julie has the attitude and commitment to unconditional acceptance of all people. She provides a “Caring Connection” for people in our church and our community. She helps people connect to other services available in our community. She has helped us all learn how we can give service to others. As we do, we will grow in our relationships with God and with other people.
God has given us a tremendous opportunity to impact our community and our church through this ministry of Community Outreach led by Pastor Julie Vega.