Pastor Bjarne “Bj” Christensen, administrative assistant to the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, died September 3 at his Maryland home following a six-year battle with melanoma.  Church spokesperson Kermit Netteburg says Christensen, 51, will be remembered for “his deep love of Christ and the church.  He also will be remembered for his wise counsel and effective church leadership, as well as for mentoring hundreds of church leaders and members.”

Born in Denmark, Christensen came to the United States when he was 9 years old.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from La Sierra University and a master’s from Andrews University.  He served as a pastor and church administrator in Oregon, Virginia, Illinois and southern California. He had been assistant to the church president in North America since 1997.