Voice of Prophecy, the longest-running media ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, recently announced that Shawn Boonstra, speaker/director of the ministry since 2013, has accepted the invitation of Adventist Review to serve as an associate editor. He will be leaving the Loveland, Colorado-based ministry sometime this summer.
“It’s been a privilege to work with Boonstra,” said Rick Remmers, North American Division assistant to the president and VOP board chairman. “We appreciate the vision and energy that he has brought to VOP. His work has not only built up the VOP ministry but has also been a catalyst for building up the outreach ministry of many churches around the world. We know God will continue to bless him as he takes up his new responsibilities.”
Boonstra says his work at VOP has been the highlight of his 32-year ministerial career.
“I absolutely love VOP; in fact, it’s the best assignment I’ve ever had in the church,” Boonstra reflected. “But I’ve been sensing lately that it’s time to inject some new energy and ideas, and that it might be time for me to hand it off now.”
He says his decision didn’t come easily.
“I struggled with that decision immensely, because this ministry really is a place where cutting-edge, innovative evangelism takes place daily. What the team accomplishes is simply mind-blowing,” he explained. “But God also tapped me on the shoulder and distinctly told me that it’s someone else’s turn now. Someone’s going to be incredibly fortunate to come here.”
During Boonstra’s 12 years at the ministry, VOP has achieved many things, which include:
- Growing the reach of Discover Bible School, including introducing new Discover and Focus on Daniel Bible study guides.
- Developing a series of successful short bridge events designed to bring community members through local church doors.
- Launching and growing Discovery Mountain, a popular and thriving evangelistic children’s audio drama.
- Equipping local church presenters with Discovering Revelation, a full-message series based on Boonstra’s time-tested Revelation Speaks Peace series.
In reaction to Boonstra’s decision, VOP leadership expressed their sadness in his departure, but confidence in God’s continued provision for the ministry.
“We love Shawn and will miss him dearly,” said Justin Lyons, VOP manager/treasurer. “He has done so much to build and grow VOP in his 12 years here. However, we know God is leading Shawn into his new field of service. We also know that God will bless VOP as He has during the 95 years we’ve been in ministry.”
North American Division has begun the search for Boonstra’s replacement and hopes to name a new speaker/director as soon as possible.
