Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Paul Dybdahl

Early Morning Worship Speaker

Paul Dybdahl was born in Thailand and spent the first eight years of his life in Asia before moving to the Walla Walla valley. He graduated from Walla Walla College in 1992 as a Theology major and accepted a call as a pastor in the Oregon Conference, where he served for over four years. His time as a pastor included a sojourn to Andrews University, where he earned his M.Div in 1995. Paul later returned to Andrews for his doctorate and received his Ph.D. in Missiology in 2004. His academic interest centers on the issues related to the effective communication of the gospel, especially across cultural barriers. His book, Before We Call Them Strangers, explores Adventism’s relationship with world religions. Paul has been teaching at Walla Walla University since 2001. Paul and his wife, Kristyn (also a graduate of Walla Walla College), have three children: Noah, Alyssa, and Sarah.

Craig Newborn

Evening Worship Speaker

Craig Newborn, born in Seven Springs, North Carolina, completed his college education at Pacific Union College, earning a BA in history and religion and an MA in history with a secondary education emphasis. He spent four and a half years as a Bible teacher at San Diego Academy before accepting a call to overseas missionary work. He served over 14 years in Kenya, Iran, and Lebanon in varying capacities, including church pastor, Bible teacher, evangelist, field president, departmental director, and university chaplain.

After returning to the US, he accepted a teaching position at Loma Linda Academy and earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. in Theology and Personality from Claremont School of Theology. In 1997, Dr. Newborn moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where he became the vice president for student services at Oakwood University. From January 1999 through August 2006, he was the founding director of the Oakwood Branch Office of the Ellen G. White Estate and was a professor in Oakwood University’s Department of Religion and Theology. From August 2006 through July 2011, he served as the senior pastor of Oakwood University Church. From August of 2011 through the end of July 2014, he served as director of the Gift of Prophecy and Sabbath School Departments for South Central Conference. In August 2014, he retired. He is married to Janis Stephens Newborn, a retired educator. They have two adult children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, six grandchildren, and a grandson-in-law.