Pastor Shian O’Connor - Family Ministry, Public Affairs & Religious Liberty Director

Family Ministries

The focus of Family Ministries is upon relationships. It is a ministry to the “and,” such as in husband and wife, parent and child. Thus this ministry concerns itself primarily with relational dynamics rather than the needs of individuals per se. The basic target areas of emphasis are premarital guidance, strengthening marriage and parent education, with attention also given to extended families, single parenting, step-family needs, and the family needs of singles.

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty supports religious liberty internationally as one of the fundamental principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and as a God-given right. PARL represents the world headquarters of the Church on government issues, has an office at the United Nations, and hosts many diplomatic meetings to reinforce relations between the Church and different countries.