Roger Hernandez, ministerial director for the Southern Union, was the guest speaker at Southern’s 25th Annual Pierson Weekend of Evangelism and Mission on November 8-9.

While his message no doubt blessed the students in attendance, Hernandez appears to have taken away quite a blessing himself. In a short online article, he writes about how Southern and its students are a bright spot amid worries surrounding the Millennial Generation and the future of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. According to his article, three things in particular stood out during the visit to campus.

The quality of pastoral students. Hernandez saw students who were “clear on the Gospel and experienced in soul winning (not just soul searching).”

The value placed on mission work. He applauds the university’s work overseas and at home, citing the Evangelism Resource Center and LifeGroups of two ways Southern attends to spiritual health. “The chaplains and theology teachers are clear on the role of mission in a young person’s life and intentional about connecting vocation and faith.”

The quality of Sabbath programming. Student-led worship and new orchestra arrangements of contemporary Christian songs struck Hernandez as particularly powerful. “I was significantly and specifically blessed.”

To view his full article about the weekend, visit the Southern Union’s Ministerial Department website.