Victorville Seventh-day Adventist church recently welcomed Pastor JJ Martinez Jr. as their new lead pastor. A California native, Martinez grew up attending La Sierra Academy and Rio Linda Academy before beginning his journey into ministry. Outside of his pastoral work, he enjoys building LEGO sets as a stress reliever and exploring different cuisines, with Italian, Mexican, and Indian food among his favorites.
Since arriving at Victorville Church, Martinez has been struck by the warmth and sense of community among its members. Through the trust and partnership with the congregation, Martinez shares, “We can work together toward the church’s mission and vision of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Before stepping into pastoral ministry, Martinez initially envisioned a career in healthcare.
“Initially, my plans were to serve people through the healthcare system,” he shared. “I attended Union College (now Union Adventist University) and was in the nursing program. But while I was going through the program, I kept feeling God call me into pastoral ministry. After a while, I gave up running away from it and accepted that call. I felt so at peace and knew that God was leading, and I haven’t regretted that decision.”
After completing his Master of Divinity at Andrews University, Martinez returned to the Rocky Mountain Conference, where he served multiple congregations, including the Lamar, Arkansas Valley, Pueblo, and Grand Junction Seventh-day Adventist churches.
For Martinez, ministry is about walking alongside people in their faith journey. “Many aspects of my ministry give me life and renew me,” he shared. “But the one that sticks out is seeing someone give their life to Jesus. Standing with someone in the baptismal waters is such a joy and honor. I love it when one person comes back home to Jesus.”
As he settles into his first year at Victorville Church, Martinez is focused on building relationships and supporting the church’s mission. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue strengthening connections within the congregation, mentoring those seeking to grow deeper in their faith, and celebrating moments of spiritual commitment, such as baptism and discipleship. “I want our church family to know that I am there for them through all that life has given.”
With a heart for discipleship and a passion for seeing lives transformed, Martinez looks forward to the journey ahead—one step at a time, walking in faith together.