Spokane Valley Adventist Church Celebrates 30 Years of Ministry

By Isaac Meythaler, UCC Communications Coordinator

On September 12, 2026, the Spokane Valley Adventist Church celebrated 30 years in their current church facility in the Spokane Valley. In attendance of the special Sabbath were all five pastors spanning the 30 years since the building’s construction: Charles Ferguson, Stan Hudson, Byron Corbett, Mark Weir, and current pastor, Teddy Shupe.

The day began with a panel discussion with former pastors during the Sabbath School hour. During the panel, pastors reminisced on the various projects, programs, and encounters they remembered from their term as pastor. 

Ferguson presented a message of God's leading and miracles that resulted in the construction and occupation of the new church which opened in September of 1996. Sharing how God used many members to accomplish His will in designing, funding, and completing a large-scale building project.

Stan Hudson acknowledged the dedication and commitment of members during his time at the Spokane Valley Adventist Church.

“I was impressed by the quality of the people here, their dedication to God, and their connection with the mission of the church,” said Hudson. “Whenever we had a program, and we had quite a few, we always had good help and good people working. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our time here.”

Corbett shared the challenges while establishing Journey to the Cross, an annual Easter presentation which attracts more than 3,000 community members annually, and how God intervened and members persevered.

Weir shared about the decision to expand the church to include an education wing to the church in addition to the Spokane Valley Adventist School campus, and how, after thorough discussion, the decision was made unanimously.

While unable to be in attendance, Gerald Haeger, pastor of the church’s previous location who oversaw much of the fundraising for the current site, wrote a letter for the occasion, saying “Paying for the land took several years of sacrifice and personal commitment, but we were determined to make it possible for God’s message to be boldly declared.”

In addition, each pastor shared what their current emphasis would be as a pastor of the church today. Answers ranged from evangelism to attract new members, to focus on retention of current members. Their answers spanned a perfect spectrum of ministry required for the present time and culture.

Approximately 400 current and former members attended, including several from the original building committee. The day was marked with many shared memories, praise for God’s guidance, and pleasant reunions.

A lunch was served after the main service, followed by a “sing along” with Ferguson which ended with “We’ve Come this far by Faith,” the theme song used during the fundraising and building phases of the project in 1995 and 1996.

“We were incredibly blessed to have so many members and former pastors from the Valley Church’s history share how God has been at work here,” said Shupe. “It was an inspiring time celebrating what God has done, and what He will continue to do through this wonderful church and school family as we continue to know and reflect Jesus until He returns!"

Reflecting on its journey so far, SVAC continues to move forward in faith built on the gifts of God and a foundation of outreach.

As Corbett aptly acknowledged during the service, “All that has been done, and will continue to be done in this church, is to the glory of God.”