Upper Columbia Conference Ordains Two Pastors

By Dustin Jones

UCC Director of Communications

Two pastors that have recently arrived in Upper Columbia Conference this year were ordained in separate services in January — Howard Tello and Jon Jennette.

Jennette, pastor of Grandview, Prosser, and Sunnyside churches, was ordained on January 8, 2022, at Sunnyside Adventist Church. Eric Brown, UCC ministerial director, was on hand to present the candidate.

“Jon has already made an impact on these small churches,” said Brown. “God has plans for Jon and I am excited to see what is in store.”

Rodney Mills, UCC vice president for administration, gave the homily, and David Jamieson, UCC president, presented the certificate. 

Jennette was born and raised in Nashville, Tenn. He was baptized into the Adventist church in June 2007, attended the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism by July 2007, and was doing full-time Bible work in January 2008. 

Following AFCOE, he did Bible work for ten years. During the last four of those years, Jennette completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology at Walla Walla University. Jennette and his wife, Frances, were married in 2011 and have an eight-year-old daughter. 

Tello, pastor of Chewelah and Deer Park churches, was ordained on January 29, 2022, at Chewelah Adventist Church. Pierre Steenberg, assistant professor of religion, Union College, presented the candidate. 

“Howard has an amazing journey to share and I believe God has called him to this conference for a special reason,” said Brown. 

Mills gave the homily for Tello and also presented the certificate of ordination to him. 

Tello started ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist church at the age of 19. Serving as a Bible worker, evangelist, senior pastor, and a developer of leaders, he has added value and made an impact wherever he has served. He desires to inspire men and women to yearn for God with all of their hearts, minds, and souls. He is eager for them to reach their fullest human potential through Christ and to impact the lives of all those they contact. 

Tello and his wife, Hannah, have three children: Isaiah, Ariana, and Gabriel.

“God has been using both these men to change lives,” said Brown. “I am so pleased to see them join the ranks of ordained pastors.”

Pictured above-

Left: Howard Tello and his wife, Hannah

Right: Jon Jennette, his wife, Frances, and their daughter, Amy