As the summer came to a close, PSR stood out as more than just a camp. Worship had shaped it into a community—one where leaders emerged, relationships deepened, and God’s presence was experienced in everyday moments.
There was something different in the air at Pine Springs Ranch (PSR) this summer, something deeper, quieter, and more powerful than the usual camp buzz. It was worship. Not just the songs sung at morning gatherings or the hands raised during evening vespers, but a spirit of worship that shaped how staff and campers interacted—in the dining hall, during activities, and in the ways they listened, encouraged, and served. This focus on spiritual connection defined each week and led to something beautiful: eighteen baptisms, including fourteen campers and four staff members who publicly declared their commitment to Jesus.
At the center were Jo and Laia Amaya, a husband-and-wife team pursuing Master of Divinity degrees at Andrews University. Having served within the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) before graduate school, they returned with a vision: to cultivate a worship culture that felt authentic, safe, and rooted in relationship.
“We didn’t want worship to feel like a performance or a task,” Laia shared. “We wanted it to be a joy—something that made people feel seen and safe.” Instead of assigning worship to busy staff, Jo and Laia led every service themselves, inviting others to join as they felt ready. By midweek, staff and campers who began hesitant to sing were stepping forward as “worship leaders,” a title used to affirm and empower them.
Their style was less about polish and more about presence. Songs were chosen for age groups, sometimes adjusted when participation lagged, but always aimed at building trust and community. “We saw worship as our mission field,” Jo explained. “It wasn’t just about music, it was about how we treated each other.” Even silly or unfamiliar songs became tools for connection—opportunities to sing with friends and grow in faith together.
Angelica Torres, returning as Spiritual Care Coordinator, saw how this reshaped camp culture. “With so many new staff, we had to rebuild from the ground up,” she explained. “Jo and Laia helped us see that worship wasn’t just a slot on the schedule—it became the heart posture of the community.”
By the final day, campers who once sat quietly were leading songs with confidence. Staff who never imagined themselves in spiritual roles guided others in prayer. Arms linked in worship circles became a weekly scene, as once-reluctant voices now asked, “Can we sing that song again?”
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.
September 29, 2025, Southeastern California Conference (SECC) administration and department employees gathered to celebrate the arrival of the brand-new tractor trailer truck for the Transportation Department. The Moving Services team, with truck drivers Bryant Aparicio and Daniel Jaramillo, was prayed over and dedicated by SECC President Jonathan Park.
SECC is one of only four conferences in the United States (U.S.) to operate a transportation service, assisting with moves for teachers, pastors, and families across the U.S. and Canada.
The prayer of blessing and dedication marked a meaningful start to the week and an exciting new chapter for the Transportation Department’s ministry of service to our conference community.
September 02, 2025
RIVERSIDE, CALIF.—Southeastern California Conference (SECC) is pleased to announce Isaac Kim as Youth Director, effective September 2025. This appointment follows the confirmation of the August Executive Committee meeting.
Kim, who served as Interim Youth Director since April 2025 and formerly as an Associate Youth Director since December 2021, will lead the Youth Ministries department (SECC Youth) which oversees Club Ministry, Family & Children’s Ministry, Summer Camp Ministry, and Youth & Young Adult Ministry. He will continue to lead Family & Children’s Ministry as the department director.
Southeastern California Conference is excited to see how God will move throughout our youth ministries and the leaders our Youth department empowers.
Please join us in congratulating Isaac!
September 02, 2025
RIVERSIDE, CALIF.—Southeastern California Conference (SECC) is excited to announce the appointment of Pastor Danielle Berumen as the new Associate Ministerial Director, effective late September 2025. She joins the conference Ministerial department with an eagerness to serve and support pastors and church leaders.
Berumen comes with various church experience, including Interim Sole Pastor, serving at the Azure Hills, Palm Springs, and most-recently as Pastor for Children & Families at the Calimesa Church. Her work in ministry extends beyond the local church as a content developer for SECC’s Growing Together Sabbath School curriculum. She has a passion for ministry and a heart for encouraging others. Danielle and Manuel (Manny) have been married for eight years with two children, Eiza (five) and Judah (three). Berumen enjoys outdoor adventures with family, eating foods from different cultures, and traveling.
As Berumen joins the Ministerial team and our conference office family, please keep her and her family in prayer.
Congratulations Danielle!
From Canvasser to Calling: How Youth Rush Shaped a Future Pastor
By Ezrica Bennett
At 16, Joshua Roman joined Youth Rush as a shy teenager. Today, he serves as the San Diego program head and is spending his eighth summer with the organization. He is also pursuing a theology degree at Southern Adventist University. For Roman, Youth Rush was more than just a summer job; it was a catalyst for transformation.
Youth Rush is a summer literature evangelism program for young adults that equips students with meaningful skills and ministry experience. Each day begins with optional morning devotionals, followed by practical chores such as food preparation, inventory, or accounting. After breakfast and a mandatory worship session, students receive training on how to engage with the public safely and effectively. From 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., they canvas neighborhoods and parking lots, offering books on health and spirituality on a donation basis. Students keep a portion of what they collect, while the remainder supports the program’s operational costs, such as transportation and housing.
Like Roman, many students enter Youth Rush with little experience in social interaction or evangelism. Over time, they develop essential communication skills that strengthen their confidence and character which extend beyond their time in the program.
“Youth Rush helped me break out of my shell,” Roman shares. “I used to be terrified of talking to people. After facing rejection day after day, I stopped being afraid. I gained confidence, learned how to make friends, and how to reach people’s hearts.”
Students often experience moments where they see their faith come to life. Roman recalled one student who had been praying for an “angel experience.” One day, while canvassing, people kept glancing over his shoulder, and someone gave him two water bottles—one for him and one "for his friend." The student was alone. When he shared what happened, a leader suggested, “Maybe that was your angel.” The student was overjoyed; his prayer had been answered.
The process of engaging their faith through service makes this a life-changing experience for many. It certainly was for Roman. Though he once planned to follow his family into medicine or the military, he now sees ministry as his calling.
“Youth Rush changed my path and my heart,” he says. A journey that began with a simple yes continues to shape his purpose and the stories of other young adults, one summer at a time.
73 Years Young, 50 States Strong
By Jordyn Wright & Taji Saleem
At 73 years old, Pastor Ron Du Preez, senior pastor of the Beaumont Seventh-day Adventist Church, set out on a remarkable journey: walking (and sometimes cycling) 50 kilometers a day in 50 states over 50 consecutive days. Aptly titled Senior Strides, the initiative was far more than a physical feat—it was a mission to inspire health, faith, and community among seniors nationwide.
Starting in Hawaii on May 15 and finishing just before sunrise on July 4 at the General Conference Session (GC Session), Du Preez’s journey captivated both local communities and national media. At each stop, he visited senior centers, offering motivational talks, and personal encouragement. “People don’t respond to the ordinary anymore,” he shared. “But when they hear 50K a day for 50 days, they ask, ‘Why?’ That’s when I can share the mission: to energize and empower those over 65 to engage in fitness in a fun and friendly way.”
This is not the first time Du Preez has used fitness to build community. A story on the beginnings of his Senior Strides running group, local to Beaumont, was published in the January 2025 Recorder. This time, Du Preez chose to walk and cycle—making his journey more relatable and inclusive. In between walking and indoor cycling, he juggled logistics, coordinated with centers, and made time to connect deeply with seniors, often praying with them or gifting personalized books like The Great Controversy and The Ministry of Healing.
At the 62nd GC Session, Du Preez was invited to give a special presentation, sharing his experiences, and the impact the journey had on both himself and the communities he visited. This great feat garnered the attraction of Miami Dolphins running back, Alexander Mattison, and local news stations. Showing him support, the news stories reached thousands across Indiana, Michigan, and Southern New England.
Throughout the journey, Du Preez promoted a wholistic health message rooted in the Adventist lifestyle—encouraging movement, plant-based eating, rest, and spiritual well-being. "Stronger legs, longer life," he quoted from a Time article published during his trek. “Physical health strengthens your mental, social, and spiritual life.”
For Du Preez, Senior Strides wasn't just about miles—it was about momentum. “No matter your age or stage,” he concluded, “you can improve your health, bless others, and live the abundant life God intended.” You can learn more at seniorstrides.org.
“If I could summarize this journey, it’s simply about gratitude,” said Pastor Isaac Lee. “God and His people have affirmed this calling, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Lee was ordained to the gospel ministry at Yorba Linda Seventh-day Adventist Church in late March. He currently serves as executive and associate pastor, working with every department and focusing specifically on youth, collegiate, and young adult ministries. He began serving at Yorba Linda in November 2023.
His ministry began in 2009 as a part-time pastor at Fort Lee SDA Church in New Jersey. But the calling started even earlier — before he even knew it.
“My parents dedicated me to God to be a pastor,” he shared. “But they didn’t tell me that until I had already made the decision on my own.”
That quiet thread of providence has woven itself throughout his ministry journey. After seminary at Andrews University — where he earned both his undergraduate and Master of Divinity degrees — he received his first full-time call and served churches across the country.
One of the most defining chapters came after leaving Loma Linda Korean SDA Church. As he sought God's direction for his next step, he received offers from 8 to 10 churches across North America. But one offer stood out, not because it made sense, but because it moved his heart.
“Queens, New York, offered the lowest pay, no service credit, no insurance. It made no logical sense,” he said. “But I was moved with compassion for my people.”
What happened next stunned even him. Despite the Greater New York Conference’s typical policy against granting service credit for local hires, he was given four years of credit — double what he would have earned elsewhere.
“When I told the church members, they wept with me,” he recalled. “It was impossible. But God had a plan.”
Fifteen years since his first pastoral assignment, Pastor Lee says his ordination is not a marker of his worth, but of God’s faithfulness.
“There’s nothing about me that I can boast in,” he said. “Only that Christ chose to use a sinner like me. If anyone sees anything good, it’s just Him working through me.”
Now, settled into his ministry in Orange County, he’s prayerful for what’s ahead: “This is a new chapter — a balance between work and personal life, maybe even preparing for family. But as always, I’m just waiting and listening upon the Lord.”
Congratulations to Pastor Lee!
Coming Home on Mission: Dr. Richardson’s SECC Return
By Jordyn Wright
After more than a decade away, Dr. David Richardson is returning to the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) in a powerful way—as the newly appointed, Black Ministries Evangelist. With a rich background in ministry and higher education leadership, Richardson brings a passion for mission, discipleship, and collaborative evangelism.
Prior to accepting this new role, Richardson served as Vice President for Student Life and Mission at Oakwood University, the only historically Black Seventh-day Adventist institution. There, he focused on the spiritual development of students, oversaw co-curricular programming such as athletics, residence life, and counseling, and worked to ensure that the university remained aligned with its Adventist mission. His career also includes leadership roles at Walla Walla University and pastoral service in several churches throughout Southern California.
Richardson is no stranger to SECC. “This is where I started ministry in 1995, after being sponsored to attend seminary by the conference,” he shared. “I served at 31st Street, New Hope, and Maranatha churches, and also spent time at 16th Street and Imani Praise Fellowship.” Now, he’s excited to return with a fresh perspective and a heart ready to serve.
When asked about his vision for Black Ministries, Richardson emphasized alignment and collaboration: “I’m not here to do evangelism—I’m here to partner in it. Every church has a unique vision, and I want to work alongside pastors and congregations to create strategic plans that are sustainable and community focused.” His approach centers on discipleship, leadership development, and spiritual growth that extends beyond events and into daily church life.
Richardson is energized by the opportunity to help SECC churches grow in impact and mission. “There is no greater joy than pointing people to Jesus,” he says. “We’re going to work together—pastors, elders, members—to transform lives through intentional, mission-driven ministry.”
Richardson is married to his best friend and biggest supporter, Chasity Richardson, who previously served as the Director of Operations at Oakwood University. To the SECC community, his message is simple, yet profound: “I’m excited to be back. I’m here to partner with all our churches and help us think intentionally about how we do evangelism and discipleship. Let’s grow together.” As he settles back into familiar territory with renewed purpose, Richardson is ready to lead with humility, heart, and a clear focus on the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
To mark the beginning of the new school year, several SDA schools across the SECC opened their campuses with prayer walks. Students, parents, teachers, and staff joined together to dedicate the year to God, praying over classrooms, hallways, and shared spaces.
Participating schools included Redlands Adventist Academy, San Diego Academy, Calexico Mission School, San Antonio Christian School, La Sierra Academy, Orangewood Academy, Murrieta Springs Adventist Christian School, Desert Adventist School, Oceanside Adventist Elementary, Mentone SDA Elementary, and Loma Linda Academy.
The purpose of these gatherings served as powerful reminders that education within Adventist schools is about more than academics—it is about nurturing spiritual growth, building community, and inviting God’s presence into every aspect of school life. By beginning the year with prayer, these campuses set the tone for a Christ-centered journey ahead.
