Symposium on the Sacred Right of Religious Freedom and Liberty of Conscience

Pastor Isaac Olatunji

Isaac Olatunji (Ola-tune-gee) Jr., PhD was born in New York City and was raised in the Washington, D.C. area. Having pastored in the Southwest Region and South Central Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists, and is currently is the Senior Pastor at State Line and South Huntsville SDA Churches in the Gulf States Conference. Dr. Olatunji is currently a professor of Theology and Social Work at Oakwood University. He specializes in Youth Ministry, Leadership Development, Academic Success, Adventist Theology and in the writings of Ellen White. He is teaching God’s last day message to the students at Oakwood University, fostering revival and reformation.

Dr. Olatunji’s first love is evangelism, having conducted revivals in many countries around the world. Dr. Olatunji is the Director/Speaker of Project Latter Rain Ministries. This ministry fosters revival and reformation through youth ministry, evangelism, church growth, leadership/motivational, and medical missionary public health work. Dr. Olatunji is the author of the motivational book, “You Can Fly Beyond The Sky”. This book teaches motivational principles based on the word of God. He is happily married to Desiree Olatunji. Dr. Olatunji’s ultimate goal to reflect the character of Christ, to lead others to Christ.

Attorney Jonathon Cherne

Jonathon Cherne is an attorney and licensed CPA (inactive) with extensive experience as a litigator. He holds a degree in Accounting from Southern Adventist University and a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. While at Pepperdine, Mr. Cherne served as a research assistant to Ken Starr, former Solicitor General of the United States.

Mr. Cherne is licensed to practice law in both California and Tennessee, as well as many Federal Courts. He handles both state and federal cases, including trials and appeals. His practice specializes in Religious Liberty and Religious Discrimination. He has successfully represented numerous individuals who lost their job due to refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds. He also has won many cases for individuals who are denied employment or terminated because of Sabbath observance. Notably, in 2023, Mr. Cherne's case Groff v. DeJoy was heard by the United States Supreme Court, where his client achieved a unanimous 9-0 decision, further strengthening religious liberty protections in the country.

In addition to his legal work, Mr. Cherne serves as the director of American Christian Ministries, a media ministry focused on spreading the Three Angels' Messages. He is also deeply passionate about evangelism and contributed to the planting of the Malibu Seventh-Day Adventist Church during his time in law school. Outside of his professional pursuits, Mr. Cherne enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters.

Attorney Jonathan Zirkle

Jonathan Zirkle is an evangelistic trial attorney. He started his career as a criminal prosecutor, but went on to practice criminal defense and federal employment law, where he has acted as trial counsel in religious discrimination cases. He has served as the Director of AdventHope Ministry in Loma Linda and has served as adjunct faculty member at Weimar College teaching History. He is currently the Vice President of the Liberty & Health Alliance.

Ron Duffield

Ron Duffield is an engaging presenter whose insights you will not want to miss. Experience Adventist history come to life as he delivers a compelling message of hope relevant to the church today. Ron Duffield grew up in the northwest, worked as a Respiratory Therapist in Walla Walla for several years before attending Weimar College were he met his wife Cherie and spent nearly 15 years working in the NEWSTART program and as College Librarian. In 2004, Ron and Cherie and their three daughters moved to Dixie WA where Ron currently works in the local hospital. He has authored two books, Return of the Latter Rain and Wounded in the House of His Friends, and presents seminars on Adventist history and liberty of conscience subjects.