Two pastors were ordained to the gospel ministry in Upper Columbia Conference in December 2020 and January 2021.
Andrew Abbott, lead pastor of St. Maries and Osburn Adventist churches and the Living Hope Adventist Company, was ordained Jan. 30, 2021, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Minner Labrador Jr., Upper Columbia Conference president, presented the ordination certificate to Abbott, while César De León, North Pacific Union Conference vice president, presented the charge and welcome to ministry.
Abbott was born in Redlands, California. His father’s job as a physician took the family — Abbott, his mom and his soon-to-be three siblings — from Loma Linda to North Carolina. Later, they moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where Abbott spent the longest period of his life and made many precious memories enjoying the outdoors with family — mountain biking, hiking, backpacking and skiing.
Abbott first realized his call to ministry at age 18 while he was finishing his last year of high school as a home-schooler. He began studying for pastoral ministry at Walla Walla University and graduated in June 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology.
Abbott was given an internship at Spokane Valley Adventist Church, where he met Samantha Clark, a Bible worker who was to become his future wife. Abbott earned his Master of Divinity degree at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, over the next three years and returned to the Northwest to begin pastoring in northern Idaho. Samantha joined him in ministry when they married on July 21, 2019. The Abbotts celebrated their first anniversary last summer. They declared that serving in pastoral ministry together is a “rewarding adventure with God.”
Hugo Villalobos, Hermiston and Pendleton Spanish churches lead pastor, was ordained to the gospel ministry on Dec. 5, 2020, in Hermiston, Oregon. Labrador presented Villalobos' ordination certificate as he did for Abbott. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Villalobos’ ordination was held at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in Hermiston to accommodate social distancing and abide by local and state mandates. A small group of friends and family was able to attend.
Villalobos is married to Griselda Lisbeth. They enjoy reading, going outdoors and are passionate about Jesus. Villalobos has a bachelor’s degree in theology from Central American Adventist University in Costa Rica, and Lis has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the same university. Their goal is to love God and love people.
Family and conference representatives congratulate Hugo Villalobos (center), including (from left) Allee Currier, UCC vice president for finance; Minner Labrador Jr., UCC president; Griselda Lisbeth Villalobos; Rodney Mills, UCC vice president for administration; and Eric Brown, UCC ministerial director.
Samantha and Andrew Abbott say serving in pastoral ministry together is a "rewarding adventure with God."
