A spirit of purpose, connection, and faith-filled inspiration marked the inaugural Adventist Nurses Symposium, held from September 3–5 at Capital Church in Wellington. The event drew together nurses, nursing students, and nurse educators from across the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference (NZPUC) to explore the intersection of faith, nursing and whole person care.
This inaugural symposium was titled:” Te Manaaki Katoa—The ministry of whole person care”. Organised and hosted by Adrielle Carrasco, NZPUC Health Director and experienced nurse of more than 25 years, the symposium provided a much-needed space for Christian nurses to reflect on their unique calling.
“As nurses of faith, we’re called to be bridges—honouring our Christian values while extending compassionate care to all, regardless of their spiritual background,” Ms Carrasco shared. “This isn’t about compromising our beliefs; it’s about living them out in their fullest expression.”
The symposium featured keynote presentations from Loma Linda University School of Nursing, including Dr Anne Berit Petersen, associate professor and director of the Global Nursing Office. Dr Petersen presented on the Whole Person Care framework, detailed in the book Whole Person Care: Adventist Nursing in Action, published by the General Conference Health Ministries.
Demonstrating the connections with Adventist history, Dr Peteresen reiterated that this is the first ever for nurses, as other similar symposiums have been geared toward nurse educators, but this symposium brought a unique opportunity to share. In her presentation of “Caring as a calling”, Dr Petersen demonstrated the Adventist philosophy of caring in diverse nursing contexts.
Dr Iris Mamier, also from Loma Linda, brought a practical dimension to the framework, exploring how prayer and spiritual presence can be authentically integrated into patient care.
Feedback from attendees reflected the impact of these sessions. One nurse shared, “These presentations have given me a vocabulary to express both my faith and my work in ways I hadn’t considered before.” Another said, “I wish I had this framework earlier in my career.”
Cultural relevance and local context were key themes woven throughout the symposium. Victoria Jennings, MHSc, RN, with 25 years of experience as an educator and nurse, addressed how to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi while walking in faith.
Adding a powerful Pacific voice, RN Jennifer Lumaavatasi Pereira-Sinapati presented “It’s More Than the Job: Being Pacific.” Drawing on Pacific research and traditional health models such as the Fonofale model, she demonstrated how the Whole Person Care framework can be effectively applied in Pacific communities. Dressed in national attire from various islands, Ms Pereira-Sinapati offered a vibrant and heartfelt cross-cultural perspective. She also brought a group of enthusiastic students who are already fundraising to attend future symposiums.
Autymn Kanuta William, a newly registered Māori Adventist nurse, shared how deeply the symposium resonated with her:
“I’ve been so blessed with all the kōrero and mātauranga (knowledge) that was shared. I’ve been to many symposiums, but this one? It was amazing. I just felt as if I was able to thrive and actually learn. The vibe was so inviting, it was peaceful knowing I could open up about my spirituality without being questioned.”
Throughout the event, church leadership voiced strong support. NZPUC President Dr Eddie Tupa’i affirmed the attendees on the opening day, acknowledging the critical role nurses play in both church life and outreach.
South Pacific Division Health Director Geraldine Przybylko encouraged participants to engage with ELIA Wellness, the Division’s health ministry initiative, to further extend the reach of spiritually-grounded healthcare.
The symposium concluded with a symbolic blessing of the hands led by Pastor Adrien Webster, North New Zealand Conference president, Pastor Kirsten Lundqvist, Capital church pastor, and Ms Carrasco. A Jewish-inspired hand washing prayer served as a moving reminder of the healing role nurses play in their communities.
As participants departed Wellington, they carried with them a renewed confidence in their identity as nurses called by God, along with practical tools to integrate faith into daily practice.
“With heartfelt feedback, enthusiastic student involvement, and the strong support of church leadership, the first Adventist Nurses Symposium has laid a firm foundation for a growing community of faith-informed, culturally aware, and spiritually grounded nursing professionals in the South Pacific,” said Pastor Lundqvist.
Until the next symposium planned for Auckland next year, the attendees will continue to engage with each other through social media, under the new name Adventist Nurses Aotearoa (NZ).
For more information on the book Whole Person Care: Adventist nursing in action, click here.
