It is with sadness that we ask you to pray and support the Hawaii Conference, as wildfires are still ravaging Maui. Reuters reports the death toll is up to 55 with many unaccounted for and billions of dollars in damage.
Hawaii conference has been affected too. “Members have lost homes and are displaced; our church kitchen, parsonage, and part of the sanctuary are gone,” said Hawaii Conference President Erik VanDenburgh in his August 9 statement. The conference is coordinating efforts to help members and students that have been affected by the fires. The photo above is taken from Hawaii Conference, displaying the yellow shirts that are "beacons of light" amidst the tragedy.
The need for housing, food, personal items, and even gasoline is great in Maui. Giving financially is one of the best ways to provide immediate relief. You can donate to the Maui Relief Fund by going to www.HawaiiSDA.com and donating there. To stay up to date, follow the Hawaii Conference Facebook page.
We ask that you continue to keep our brothers and sisters in Hawaii in prayer. Pray for God’s comfort, wisdom, protection, and provision during this time.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, Psalm 46:1.
Dear Southeastern California Conference members,
With sadness, we share the announcement of Pastor Samuel Shadrach’s recent passing.
Shadrach served the Seventh-day Adventist denomination faithfully as a Pharmacy Technician for Loma Linda University Medical Center and the Community Hospital prior to his pastorship with the Southeastern California Conference in 2001. In our conference, Shadrach served as pastor of the Southern Asia Adventist Community Company in Redlands. He planted that congregation in faith as he was impressed by the Lord to start a church. Before the congregation’s beginnings, Shadrach had resigned from his employment as Pharmacy Technician pondering upon the Lord’s calling. His ministry has been marked by his commitment to providing wholistic spiritual care and nurture to those in need.
Shadrach is survived by his supportive, loving and caring wife, Shalini (Shalu), his mother Esther, and his siblings. We ask that you keep his family and loved ones in your prayers.
Service information for Pastor Shadrach is provided:
Schedule:
July 10, 6:00 p.m. Viewing at Montecito Chapel
July 11, 9:30 a.m. Funeral Service at (First Lutheran Church Building)
1207 W. Cypress Ave. Redlands, CA 92373
12:30 p.m. Burial Service (Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary)
3520 E. Washington St. Colton, CA 92324
Forms & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2026
RIVERSIDE, CALIF.— The Southeastern California Conference (SECC) is excited to announce the appointment of Richard Harrison to the role of Legal Counsel & Director of Legal/ Property Services. He will begin his role on June 21, 2026.
In these roles, he will provide legal counsel and services to the Conference and its churches, schools, and affiliated ministries, while also overseeing property transactions, leases, tax matters, regulatory compliance, and other property-related issues. Together, these responsibilities support the faithful stewardship of assets dedicated to the Lord’s work.
Harrison recently served as Director for Planned Giving at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International in Silver Spring, Maryland. Prior to that, he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Western Adventist Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona. His history with SECC includes previous service as an attorney and trust officer, as well as Assistant Director for Summer Camp at Pine Springs Ranch, where he served for ten summers.
Harrison is licensed to practice law in California and Arizona and is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving. He holds degrees from the University of California, Irvine, and Trinity Law School. He enjoys creative problem-solving, golf, and traveling the world with his wife Randall and their two children, Lucas and Alara.
May 19, 2026
CORONA, CALIF.— On May 19, held at the Corona Seventh-day Adventist Church, pastors from around the conference gathered for an annual pastors meeting to hear updates happening within Conference departments and ministries.
The day began with a devotional message shared by Mike Cauley, who serves as executive coach to pastors within Southeastern California Conference (SECC). Throughout the day, numerous department reports were shared. Conference Executive Secretary, Patty Marruffo provided a report regarding conference membership and statistics. Beginning January 1, 2025 SECC’s membership included 68,863. To date, conference membership has increased to 70,327. God is moving in our territory through baptisms and professions of faith through the dedication of our pastors.
Marruffo continued her report to introduce the SECC Crisis Response Team (CRT), which provides support for emotional and spiritual care within the Adventist community during crisis, not limited to churches, schools, and institutions within the conference. The Crisis Response Team works in collaboration with Adventist Community Services, local first responders, and community emergency services.
Further updates were shared including updates to eAdventist, and other reports from conference personnel included Human Resources, the Office of Education, Ministerial, and the Youth department. Conference Treasurer, Verlon Strauss shared an update on conference finances which included a report on property insurance and church and school subsidies. SECC is grateful for the hard work its pastors do to help keep the conference financially responsible.
New pastors were welcomed into the conference pastoral community, six pastors were celebrated for the academic achievements, and five were recognized as recently retired with a combined number of 170 years of service within our conference.
This gathering of pastors reminds the conference of its larger network in partnership across our conference to fulfill its mission. In tangible ways, it is seen through the work of our pastors.
Community Service Summit
Date: August 23, 2026
Location: SECC Conference Office
11330 Pierce Street, Riverside, CA
Featured Speaker: Collette Newer, Associate Director of ACS for the North American Division (NAD).
Join us for a full day of resources, training, and activities designed to strengthen your local ministry.
April 20, 2026
LOMA LINDA, CALIF.—Hundreds of educators, administrators, and pastors descended on the campus of Loma Linda Academy for Health Day. Sponsored by the Ministerial department and Office of Education of the Southeastern California Conference (SECC), the day brought together school and church leaders to partake in activities, exercise and enjoy friendly competition with movement and health at the center.
Traditionally held at the Drayson Center campus of Loma Linda University, this year was the first for Loma Linda Academy to host this annual event. From a devotional message that kicked off the day, Pastor Aren Rennacker, Director for Growing Young Leaders at Pacific Union Conference, encouraged the attendees to embrace movement as a commitment to change and betterment.
Pastors and teachers were then given several opportunities to take part in competitions such as volleyball, pickleball, ping pong, and a Fifa showdown on the soccer field between pastors and teachers. The pastors team won the Fifa tournament and were crowned winners. Throughout the day, SECC employees connected with one another and made new friendships. The day concluded with a prize giveaway. Many educators and pastors were recipients of relaxing trips and gadgets in an expression of appreciation.
“It’s moments like this, that we get to see every pastor and every teacher, who serve day after day, meet together in one place just to connect with one another. It reminds me that we are many moving parts, and when working together, help us fulfill our mission. For that, I am grateful that our office staff get to serve each educator and pastor in the field,” shared Jonathan Park, SECC president.
This day, like many, are just one of the ways the Southeastern California Conference brings together hard-working pastors, administrators, and teachers to share its gratitude and encourage community through movement.
