Pacific Union Recorder

The Pacific Union Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty formally welcomed Ed Fargusson as its newest member Dec. 1, 2009. He'll serve as associate director for the department and legislative affairs director for the Church State Council.

Fargusson holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University and a B.A. in theology from Pacific Union College. He began working for the Northern California Conference in 1981 as a pastoral intern in Hayward. After completing his degree at Andrews, he worked in evangelism in Chicago and Sacramento. He has served as pastor in the Alturas/Surprise Valley District, Alameda, Tracy and most recently Roseville. While serving in Alameda, Fargusson worked with lay people to establish the East Bay Chinese church and the San Leandro Fil/Am church. In 2001, Fargusson became the assistant to the president of Northern California Conference.

Fargusson has been married to Anne (Hoellig) for 28 years. They have identical twin sons, Michael and Joseph, who are graduates of Pacific Union College with plans to begin Loma Linda Medical School next fall. Anne is a retired nurse. The Fargussons make their home in North Natomas near Sacramento. In his spare time, Fargusson loves to explore back-roads and hiking trails.

Fargusson says he is determined that in every interaction with people, they will be encouraged to a closer relationship with Christ. "My passion is to build up God's kingdom," says Fargusson. "Earthly governments are temporary, but God's kingdom is forever. I hope that in the work I do at California's capitol, I can make a kingdom impact for God.

"Religious Liberty is too often seen as a cause unto itself. This work is about the freedom to lift up Jesus as the answer to our world's problems. Look at countries that lack our basic rights. How is Jesus to be shared without freedom?"

"These are important times regarding the erosion of freedom and especially religious liberty. I am excited to have the opportunity to be involved in this critical work at this hour of history."

In addition to monitoring legislation in the five states of the Pacific Union, Fargusson will be working to build a grassroots response ability that could effectively impact both state and national legislation.