Andreas Beccai has accepted an invitation to lead the Walla Walla University Church as senior pastor. 

“We are excited to welcome Pastor Beccai to our university community,” says Pam Cress, chair of the search committee and associate vice president for graduate studies at Walla Walla University. “We’re impressed with his ease of engagement with students and his vision for equipping all members of our congregation to be fluent witnesses of Christ’s love. I look forward to our church family’s warmest welcome and enthusiastic support for our new senior pastor and his family as they plan to move to our community.”

Beccai graduated from Keele University (Staffordshire, United Kingdom) in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in law with business, and then earned a master of divinity degree from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Michigan) in 2012. He’s served as chaplain for Adventist Information Ministries, associate dean for Auburn Adventist Academy, and associate pastor for Green Lake Church of Seventh-day Adventists.

Since 2015, Beccai has served as lead pastor for Volunteer Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Seattle, Washington. In that role he’s guided the church’s strategic planning; served as a public campus chaplain at University of Washington and helped lead the local Seventh-day Adventist Student Association; acted as a community ambassador for local nonprofit organizations and government officials; and facilitated a summer internship program for theology students. 

“The call to the Walla Walla University Church has been a journey marked by divine providences,” says Beccai. “My family and I are looking forward to serving on campus, and we are excited to seek the flourishing of the campus community and our neighbors in the Walla Walla Valley.

“I relish the opportunity to partner with bright minds to be agents of God, bringing help and hope and healing,” he continues. “As we dream and hope for the next season at Walla Walla University Church, we covet your prayers. We hope to foster a culture of faithful presence and gospel renewal as a dress rehearsal for the earth made new.”

“We enthusiastically welcome Pastor Beccai to the Upper Columbia Conference pastoral family,” says Elder Minner Labrador Jr., Upper Columbia Conference president. “His leadership and passion for our young adults will enrich our conference beyond measure.”

Beccai was born in Accra, Ghana, and spent his formative years in Reading, England. He enjoys playing soccer, reading, traveling and cooking. His wife, Cassandre, also received a master of divinity degree from Andrews University and has worked in Microsoft’s Global Human Resources Department. They have one daughter, Eden. 

Walla Walla University Church members will become more acquainted with Beccai in January, and the family plans to complete their transition to the Walla Walla University Church in March, says Darold Bigger, interim senior pastor. “The pastors are enthusiastic about Beccai’s acceptance, and we look forward to working with him.”

Established in 1891, Walla Walla University Church is a congregation of more than 2,500 college students, faculty, staff, and community members who worship together on the campus of Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington. The church is one of more than 130 Adventist churches in the Upper Columbia Conference, which is part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Posted Dec. 18, 2018