Tuesday, September 1, 2026 began the opening day of the Messiah's Mansion exhibition located at the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) office campus in Riverside. For six days, visitors can take a step back more than 3,000 years to experience the biblical sanctuary in a new way.
Messiah's Mansion, a traveling life-sized replica of the Hebrew Tabernacle, is open for tours September 1-6 at the SECC office. Through a guided, five-station experience, visitors journey from the courtyard into the Holy Place and Most Holy Place to learn about the altar of sacrifice, laver, table of showbread, altar of incense, candlestick, Ark of the Covenant, and garments of the high priest.
This historical exhibit brings the biblical story of the sanctuary to life and provides opportunities for guests of all ages to better understand its symbols, their significance, and God's plan of salvation for humanity.
For generations, Seventh-day Adventists have studied the sanctuary as more than an ancient structure. Its furnishings, sacrifices, priests, and services tell a larger story—the story of salvation and the ministry of Jesus Christ. The earthly sanctuary was designed as a place where God would dwell among His people, but Scripture also describes its services as a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” Throughout its worship system, the sanctuary pointed forward to Christ—His sacrifice for humanity, His role as our High Priest, and His continuing ministry on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary.
In this way, the sanctuary message is not simply about understanding ancient Israel. It offers a picture of a God who desires to be near His people and has made a way for humanity to be restored to Him.
Walking through Messiah’s Mansion provides an opportunity to see familiar biblical passages in a new way. The altar can remind visitors of Christ’s sacrifice. The priesthood points toward Jesus as our High Priest. And the journey toward the Most Holy Place can invite reflection on God’s desire to ultimately restore His people fully into His presence.
Messiah’s Mansion has traveled across 38 states and seven countries since 2003, welcoming churches, schools, families, and communities along the way.
Free tours are available daily from 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. at 11330 Pierce Street in Riverside. Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are preferred. Visit https://www.messiahsmansion.com/riverside to book a tour.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Didier Noriega Selected to Serve as Hispanic Ministries Evangelist for Southeastern California Conference
August 31, 2026
RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Southeastern California Conference (SECC) is pleased to announce Didier Noriega to serve as Hispanic Ministries Evangelist. Noriega currently serves as the senior pastor for the Escondido Spanish Church and brings over eighteen years of ministry experience in Colombia and the United States.
Noriega earned his bachelor’s degree in theology in 2007 from the Universidad Adventista de Colombia and master’s in pastoral ministry from Andrews University in 2019. He was ordained to pastoral ministry in 2022 at the San Ysidro Spanish Church. Noriega began his ministry career by leading the youth ministry in Bogota, Columbia. He has provided pastoral oversight, supported evangelism programs and directed congregations throughout churches in both Columbia and California, serving SECC since 2013.
As evangelist, Noriega brings a background in congregational leadership, educational chaplaincy, and multi-church district administration. His ministry has been marked by public and personal evangelism, discipleship development and commitment to next-generation ministry. Noriega shared, “What excites me most about this new position is the opportunity to equip, inspire, and empower our churches for evangelism. My hope is not simply to conduct evangelistic campaigns, but to help develop disciples and leaders who can reach others and multiply the mission. Ultimately, I hope to build a culture of evangelism where every church and every member sees themselves as part of the mission.”
The Southeastern California Conference congratulates Noriega on this new chapter of his ministry and looks forward to working with him in this new role.
Connecting Through Christ Mid Term Session Notice
This official notice is to inform constituents of the Southeastern California Conference about the upcoming mid term sessions. Conference bylaws require that we have a meeting halfway between constituency sessions. These meetings provide opportunities for our members to dialogue, ask questions, and propose agenda items to be considered for our upcoming constituency session. Constituents are invited to join one of the meetings held in the county of their residence.
Imperial County | October 6, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
San Diego County | October 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Orange and Riverside Counties | October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
San Bernardino County | October 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
February 9 and 10 marked the beginning of the Center for Discipleship & Evangelism Community Engagement intensive track. Partnered with Andrews University’s Center for Community Change, 10 pastors—four from Southeastern California Conference (SECC) and six from the Northern California Conference—outreach was the sole focus. From SECC, pastors Baron Savory, sole pastor at Valley Fellowship; Laffit Cortes, senior pastor of Escondido; Sandra Fermin, associate pastor for youth, young adults, and community engagement at Loma Linda Filipino; and Linda Biswas, community engagement pastor from Azure Hills, were selected to join the training across two days.
Through its partnership with Andrews University, the Center for Discipleship & Evangelism is laying a foundation for sustainable, community-focused ministry across the conference. This track marks a strategic step forward in equipping pastors and members to engage their communities with compassion and purpose.
To learn more about the Center for Discipleship & Evangelism, visit www.seccministerial.org/cde.
For Danielle Berumen, ministry wasn’t part of her original plan. As a college student pursuing pre-medicine, she envisioned a career in the medical field working with children. But in the midst of long nights studying science and excelling in her religious studies courses at La Sierra University, she began to sense God leading her down an unexpected path.
“One night I finally asked God, ‘What is Your will for my life?’” She recalled. “I felt this still, small voice say, I’ve been showing you all along.” From teaching youth Sabbath school classes in high school to preaching when invited by her academy chaplain, Berumen realized that God had been preparing her for pastoral ministry long before she recognized it.
Her journey since then has taken her through several Southeastern California Conference (SECC) churches, serving at Azure Hills, Palm Springs, and Calimesa in roles ranging from youth and children’s pastor to interim sole pastor. Along the way, she was mentored and impacted by the ministry of too many pastors and professors to name them all, but she feels very grateful for the ways she has been supported and poured into over the course of her ministry. Each mentor reminded her that “people always come before the task,” a value that continues to shape her leadership today.
Now, as Associate Ministerial Director for the SECC, Berumen steps into a new chapter, one that allows her to pastor pastors. “God was so clear in calling me here,” she said. “I know He’s doing something special in this season.”
In her new role, Berumen will serve all the pastors of our Conference territory, while intentionally supporting young pastors, female pastors, and students of the Growing Young Leaders program. She hopes to create meaningful opportunities for fellowship and renewal through gatherings like Pastors Connect, where ministers can encourage one another and simply enjoy being together.
Reflecting on Berumen’s appointment, Will Penick, ministerial director, shared, “Danielle brings a heart for people and a deep passion for encouraging pastors in their calling. Her ability to listen, empathize, and build genuine community will be a tremendous blessing to our ministerial team and the churches we serve.”
When asked to summarize her ministry philosophy, she chose three words: service, presence, and encouragement. “I never imagined being a pastor,” she reflected, “but God knew this would bring me joy. My prayer is to stay responsive to the Spirit’s leading, and to help our pastors and churches reflect more of God’s kingdom here in Southeastern California.”
“When I was in high school, I hated the church,” says Klenth Sasil, associate pastor at Moreno Hills Church. “I felt lost and empty, and I was really discouraged.”
Sasil was born and raised in the Philippines by parents deeply involved in their local Adventist church. While they encouraged their children to follow in their footsteps, Sasil was uninterested.
“At one point, a pastor I knew told me I had no future,” he recalls. “That hurt, but it also was a wakeup call. I realized what he said didn’t have to be true, but I would have to fight.”
Over time, Sasil discovered that he was happiest when engaged in church life. He also noticed that the most joyful people he knew were pastors. “They don’t have much, and they are truly missionaries,” he explains. “But I saw the joy they had in serving. And that impacted me.”
After graduating with a degree in theology, Sasil was assigned to Manila, Philippines, where he launched a young adult church plant called CAFE Life: Community, Authenticity, Friendship, and Experience.
“We met in a coffee shop to hang out, discuss things, and just do life together,” Sasil explains. “That community grew, and it opened my heart for reaching the younger generations.”
Later, after earning his Master of Divinity from the Adventist Seminary at Andrews University, Sasil faced an employment freeze across the North American Division due to COVID-19. The only work he could find was a two-week substitute teaching job in Oregon, which stretched into several months.
“I wasn’t equipped to be a teacher, and some days it was just too much,” he admits. “But God helped me keep showing up, and over time He developed in me a heart especially for teens.”
Eventually, Sasil accepted a call from the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) to serve as associate pastor for youth, young adults, and young families at Moreno Hills. Today, he draws from both his own rebellious teenage years and his experience working with teens to strengthen his ministry. He also remembers a challenge from a friend: to be the change he wanted to see in the church instead of simply walking away.
Sasil was ordained on Sabbath, August 2, the same day his young daughter, Khloe was dedicated.
“I believe in our church,” he says. “If, when I get to Heaven, I see that pastor who told me as a teen I didn’t have a future, I will thank him for opening my eyes and pushing me in the right direction, because becoming the change has changed me, too.”
For Pastor Kevin Kakazu, the journey into ministry was anything but expected. Growing up, he never imagined himself as a pastor. Reserved and soft-spoken, he assumed pastors were outgoing, charismatic personalities who thrived in the spotlight, qualities he believed that he lacked. By the time he entered Walla Walla University, his choice to major in theology was less about pursuing ministry and more about a love for Bible classes. He expected to eventually switch majors once he found his true calling.
But God had other plans. Professors began encouraging him to consider ministry more seriously. Though initially not picked up by a conference after graduation, a series of unexpected circumstances led him to his first position at the Sacramento Japanese church. What began as a temporary step soon became a lifelong journey, leading him through chaplaincy, teaching Greek and New Testament as an adjunct professor at La Sierra University, and ultimately pastoring.
Over the years, Kakazu has discovered that leadership requires making difficult decisions and standing by them. While his natural tendency was to avoid conflict or criticism, ministry taught him to accept responsibility during challenging times. He credits God’s sustaining grace for carrying him through seasons when the weight of responsibility felt overwhelming.
The most life-giving aspect of ministry, he says, is witnessing how God transforms difficult moments into blessings. Whether it’s a sermon he wrestled with in preparation or a painful story from his own life shared vulnerably from the pulpit, God has used his weakness to bring courage and healing to others. For him, this truth echoes the promise of 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My power is made perfect in weakness” (NIV).
Since 2018, Kakazu has served Mission Road church, building on the legacy of Pastor Dean Horinouchi, who for 22 years defined the church’s mission as “being the family of God to everyone.” As he reflects on his ordination, Kakazu expresses that he hopes when people walk through the doors of Mission Road, they feel welcomed into God’s family and experience the love of Jesus. For him, if that mission continues long after his ministry, it will be enough.
Dear Southeastern California Conference members,
It is with heartfelt sadness that we share the passing of Pastor Cami B. Cruz Jiménez, who peacefully went to rest on September 23, 2025, at the age of 87. Cruz was known for his unwavering dedication to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and his lifelong commitment to ministry, education, and leadership.
For over five decades, he served with integrity and humility as an evangelist and preacher, with 14 of those years serving the Southeastern California Conference as senior head auditor. His legacy reflects a deep passion for sharing God’s message and strengthening the institutions that shaped generations of Adventist believers. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his three children, Alba, Abel, and Brunilda; along with his granddaughters, Joaly, Kiana, and Jasmine; his grandsons, Kelly and Gabriel; and his great-granddaughter, Evani. We are deeply grateful for Pastor Cruz and his many faithful years of service to the Southeastern California Conference and his commitment to ministry. All are welcome to join the family at his memorial service in November.
The family kindly asks that you RSVP if you plan to attend by October 28, 2025.
Service information for Pastor Cruz as follows:
Celebration Service
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 3:00 – 4:30pm
Avon Park SDA Church; Avon Park, FL
Fellowship Dinner
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00pm
Avon Park SDA Church; Avon Park, FL
For more information, visit: Cruz Memorial Service Details
Livestream: Avon Park SDA Livestream
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Southeastern California Conference (SECC) pastors and ministry leaders gathered at La Sierra University’s Troesh Conference Center for the annual Pastors Professional Development Day—a time to pause, reflect, and grow together in ministry.
This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Heather Thompson Day, an ECPA bestselling author and contributor to Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Newsweek, and the Barna Group, delivered two impactful sessions centered on emotional resilience, spiritual leadership, and effective communication in ministry.
Dr. Thompson Day opened the day by addressing the emotional and spiritual leadership required to stay motivated when support feels limited—especially during seasons of transition. She reminded leaders that steadfast faith, authentic community, and emotional awareness are essential for sustaining ministry when others appear to be “thriving.” In her second presentation, she explored cross-generational and cross-cultural communication, storytelling as a bridge to engagement, and the thoughtful use of social media as a ministry tool.
Following each keynote message, pastors gathered in smaller breakout groups. Each session explored a key area of leadership development and practical ministry growth. These sessions allowed for open dialogue, peer learning, and practical takeaways tailored to the unique realities of pastoral ministry.
The day also included a diverse panel of pastoral leaders showcasing creative approaches to communication and outreach in their local contexts. Their discussion highlighted how innovation, authenticity, and compassion can make ministry more personal and impactful in today’s constant changing world.
SECC President, Jonathan Park, Executive Secretary, Patty Marruffo, and Ministerial Director, Will Penick welcomed ten newly appointed pastors to the conference family and celebrated the retirement of John Butarbutar, William E. Dopp, and Rudy Almonte, honoring their decades of dedicated service. From worship and prayer to thoughtful discussion and creative collaboration, Pastors Professional Development Day 2025 reminded SECC pastors that effective ministry begins with renewed hearts and connected community.
On April 5, 2025, a milestone day for both her life and the wider church community, Pastor Melinda Mauia was ordained to the gospel ministry—a moment she describes as a profound gift from God and a historic breakthrough for Samoan women in pastoral leadership.
Mauia’s journey to this moment has been one of perseverance, faith, and resilience. Raised in a Seventh-day Adventist pastoral family, she witnessed the dedication and sacrifices of ministry from an early age. Yet, her path was far from straightforward. After seasons of personal struggle and spiritual searching, she found her footing through Yucaipa Youth Ministries and missional discipleship. Those early experiences ignited her passion for service and led her to Andrews University, where she overcame academic challenges to earn both a bachelor's degree in theology and later a Master of Divinity in 2014.
Though doors to pastoral ministry did not open immediately, God redirected her path in unexpected ways. From teaching and coordinating in South Korea to serving in San Francisco and completing Clinical Pastoral Education in Loma Linda, Mauia gained deep experience in trauma care, cross-cultural ministry, and spiritual leadership. In 2021, she accepted the call to serve in the Santa Ana Samoan Church and New Hope Samoan Company, where she has faithfully led with humility and courage.
As a Samoan woman in ministry, Mauia has faced both cultural and gender-based challenges. “Sometimes my brothers could say the same thing I was saying, but it would be more readily accepted because of gender,” she reflects. Yet, she has learned to meet these moments with love, rooted in her Samoan upbringing and her calling to shepherd her people as a spiritual mother.
The ordination service carried the theme “I trust in God my Savior—He will never fail.” Surrounded by family, church members, and mentors, Mauia experienced the peace of God’s affirmation. A deeply personal highlight came when her father prayed the ordination prayer over her ministry, sealing the moment with family legacy and blessing.
Her ordination is also a historic first: she is believed to be the first Samoan female pastor ordained by a Samoan church—a glass ceiling broken for future generations. “I may be the first, but I won’t be the last,” she says. With gratitude to her family, community, and conference, Mauia continues to lead with compassion, determination, and unwavering trust in God who has guided her every step.
