Secretary – Columbia Union
Robert Vandeman graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude in Theology. He earned a Master of Divinity at Andrews University 1974, also graduating magna cum laude. He has also taken course work for a Doctorate of Divinity.Â
Since 2005, Robert Vandeman served as president of the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh day Adventists. He began his ministry career in 1971 as associate pastor of the Denver Central Church. He became pastor of the Chapel Haven Church in Northglenn, Colorado in 1974, and then senior pastor of the Rochester, Minnesota district in 1976. In 1979, he was appointed senior pastor of the Minneapolis Southview Church, and then senior pastor of the Spencerville Seventh day Adventist Church in 1983, serving there for the next 12 years. From 1995 to 2005, he served as secretary of the Chesapeake Conference, and secretary of the Ministerial Association & Director of Communications. He currently serves as secretary for Columbia Union.Â
Ordained to ministry in 1977 at the Minnesota Conference Camp Meeting, he has been married since 1972 to Judy Aulick Vandeman, an RN at Washington Adventist Hospital, and is father to two adult children.