Andrews University faculty are known for their dedication to students and higher learning, and A. Allan Martin is no exception. As the newly-hired associate professor of discipleship and family ministry in the Christian Ministry department at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Martin’s passion for both youth and God fits his job title. Previously, Martin served as senior pastor of the Celebration Seventh-day Adventist Church in the heart of Central Florida’s tourism district. However, moving wasn’t Martin’s original plan. “All we knew was that God was asking us to prepare for a new adventure,” he explained. So he, wife Deirdre, and their daughter Alexa, who had a longing to see snow, relocated to chilly Berrien Springs, Mich.

Martin’s educational background demonstrates not only a passion for Christ, but a desire for academic excellence. He received a master’s degree in theology, specializing in Christian formation and discipleship. He also holds master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. Martin is co-founder of GODencounters, an annual discipleship conference for young adults, focusing on spiritual disciplines. With Deirdre, he also co-founded dre.am VISION ministries, a non-profit agency which centers on “empowering new generations in Christian lifestyle and leadership.” Together, they have also served as columnists for the Adventist Review and still present for From This Day Forward, a North American Division Family Ministries-sponsored touring marriage conference.

Martin has eased the transition from conference to classroom by focusing on interpersonal relationships. “I am enjoying teaming up with students in making a difference, especially beyond the classroom,” he notes. But getting to know students is only one of his goals. “I believe God's vision is for young adults to transform the world and build the Kingdom,” Martin says, adding, “I see Andrews as one of the epicenters for that revolution for Jesus.”

Bonnie McLean, University Relations student news writer