It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Pastor Daniel Skoretz. He passed away Wednesday afternoon, January 15, 2025, with his wife and children by his side in Grand Terrace, California. After 97 years, he is now at rest in Jesus.
Pastor Skoretz served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for many years through faithful service. He started his career in Canada, serving as pastor in the Prince Albert district and Edmonton churches. He then served as a departmental director in the Alberta Conference and the Ontario/Quebec Conference. After earning his MA in Education, he taught at Canadian Union College in the theology department. After earning an MPH at Loma Linda University, he taught at the School of Public Health and then worked in the Ministerial department and Health department of the General Conference. Returning to pastoral work in the Southeastern California Conference he pastored the Hemet church during the construction of their present church complex. In retirement he served part time at the Crestline, Homeland and Mentone churches. He served the Adventist Church as an employee for 73 years with 40 years of pastoral ministry. Most recently, he pastored at the Mentone and Homeland churches as associate pastor before his retirement in 2024.
Southeastern California Conference is grateful for the many years of service to our Church and his commitment to ministry. He brought a spirit full of love for Jesus and passionate energy of service to others.
He leaves behind his wife Elaine and his adult children, DonnaLee (Lehmann), Sherlynne (Will), Randall, Robert, and 10grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Please keep his family and his loved ones in prayer.
We continue to keep our sisters and brothers in Los Angeles in prayer in light of the fires and evacuations in Los Angeles county. Southern California Conference is working to mobilize churches within their conference to be used as shelters in the coming days. The needs and availability are still being assessed in the area. Each site will have varying levels of resources available, which include shelter, food, and showers
Adventist Community Services from both the Pacific Union and North American Division are working with them to support their efforts.
You can contribute your support for those affected by fires within Southeastern California Conference and Southern California Conference by visiting AdventistGiving and selecting the “California Fires” fund (offering code 78102). This fund is also available online or through in-person giving by checking the "California Fires" fund on your tithe envelope. More information is listed below. To donate funds directly through PayPal to Southeastern California Conference, visit our Treasury page.
During times of hardship, the Seventh-day Adventist Church continues to be a resource and place of healing. Adventist Community Services is available with resources for disaster response.
Southern California Conference List of Shelter Locations:
Evacuation Sites Available for Southern California Fires
SECC Information:
Southeastern California Conference Community Services
PayPal Donation > SECC Treasury
AdventistGiving:
How to give online to the "California Fires" fund:
Dear Southeastern California Conference members,
We are profoundly saddened by the tragic events that unfolded Wednesday at Feather River Adventist School in Northern California Conference. In times like these, we turn to our Heavenly Father for His presence, seeking comfort, healing, and restoration for those who are suffering.
Our hearts are with those directly impacted by this devastating tragedy. We understand that events like these may bring worry and uncertainty, especially for families with children in school and church safety. Please be assured that the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and members remains our highest priority. We are ever mindful of the health and safety of our members.
As part of this long-term commitment to health and safety, we have already provided resources for protocols and practices to ensure school and local church safety. We are dedicated to maintaining a secure and supportive environment for everyone.
Church leaders have been actively monitoring the story and are assured there is no current threat to schools or churches within our conference or the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your trust and partnership are invaluable as we navigate this difficult time together.
We ask you to keep the injured students and their families in your prayers and that you pray for the Feather River community—all the students, families, teachers, the larger community, and our church leaders. We also recognize that this event may have an emotional impact on our students, schools, and churches across the country.
We ask for your continued prayers for our Southeastern California Conference community, and Northern California Conference as they process this recent trauma together. We thank God for His mercy, His protection, and His steadfast love over those we hold dear. May His peace continue to guide and sustain us all.
All media inquiries and questions can be directed towards our Communications & Media department via email: communications@seccsda.org
Loma Linda, CA
Pastors Linda Biswas, Elina Camarena, and Maria Ejurango were recognized by the Association of Adventist Women on October 12, 2024. The annual Junia Awards were created to highlight women from each division who are active in their local church leadership, administration or religious training. The goal of the awards ceremony is to encourage other women who are also leading in church groups and to assure the worldwide church that women have been accepted as holding up half the sky in a wide array of cultures in the Adventist church. Each pastor from SECC have been recognized as the first Bengali-American, Hispanic, and Filipina respectively in their churches.
Congratulations Linda, Elina, and Maria!
We are excited to announce the appointment of Pastor Meshach Soli as the new Associate Ministerial Director for the Southeastern California Conference (SECC). He joins the Ministerial department with excitement to serve each pastor and a part of the Center for Discipleship & Evangelism.
Pastor Meshach, born and raised in Southern California, brings with him over 14 years of pastoral experience, a powerful testimony of transformation through God’s grace, and a passion for serving others. His ministry journey has been dedicated to empowering youth and young adults, and he currently serves as the Associate Youth Director for Club Ministries.
With a deep connection to his Pacific Islander roots and a heart for evangelism, Pastor Meshach is also the Board Chair for The Two Percent Ministry, serving Indigenous and Pacific Islander communities across the North American Division. Known for his dynamic leadership and love for ministry, he views his role not as a job, but as a lifestyle of service to God’s Kingdom. Beyond his ministry work, he is a loving husband to his high school sweetheart, Linda, and father of five sons, serving together with his family in their mission to 'Magnify the King and Multiply the Kingdom.'
Please join us in welcoming Pastor Meshach as he steps into his new role on September 29, 2024. We are excited about the fresh energy and vibrant leadership he will bring to our Ministerial department!
