This past October, the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) ordained Eugene “Gene” Oswald at OCGrace Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he serves as a pastor focused on family and children’s ministries.
Oswald’s journey began as a young boy, age six, when he started volunteering at church by speaking during services and helping with children’s stories. His involvement in church services and outreach laid the foundation for a life dedicated to ministry and ignited his passion for serving others. Oswald remarks, “Jesus is the greatest teacher, and using His parables and lessons has always been the inspiration behind my ministry.”
At age 12, Oswald led his first Bible study with Mrs. Doty, who later became a family friend. Seeing her baptized left a lasting impression on him and marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to spiritual mentorship. “From there, I would teach Sabbath School, speak in church…and become a youth leader in Pathfinders,” Oswald shares.
Over the years, Oswald’s ministry evolved. He taught for over four decades, served as a youth leader, and led numerous initiatives from children’s church to the “Pass It On” conference. “God can use you in mighty ways no matter your profession or situation,” he says. His path, often unconventional, has been driven by a commitment to following God’s call, whether in a classroom or from the pulpit.
Oswald’s wife, Valerie, and their four children have been integral to his ministry, often joining him in church activities. “How can you minister to anyone if you cannot minister to your family, friends, and neighbors?” he reflects. He is proud that his children and grandchildren are active in the church, continuing a legacy of faith.
On retirement, Oswald notes, “Only He knows what that will be. I look forward to whatever the future holds, but it will be a continued walk with Jesus.”
As Oswald embarks on this new chapter, SECC celebrates his ordination and the dedication he brings to his ministry. His passion for guiding others in faith exemplifies his calling to spread Christ’s love in his community and beyond. His journey is a reminder that faith can lead us to extraordinary places, no matter where we start. Whether you're leading a congregation, mentoring a young person, or simply serving those around you, his story is an example of inspiring those around us to walk in faith.
Congratulations to Pastor Gene on his ordination!
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!
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Taji Saleem as the new Communications and Media Director for the Southeastern California Conference (SECC). Taji has been an integral part of the SECC family since July 19, 2020, when he began his journey with us as a Media Specialist for the Youth Department. His innovative approach and creative talents have significantly contributed to the department's media outreach and engagement.
Most recently, Taji served as the Assistant Director for Media for the SECC Youth Department, a role he assumed October, 2022. His leadership and expertise in media production, graphic design, and digital communication have already made a lasting impact.
Taji holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production, with a minor in Graphic Design, from California Baptist University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He is currently completing a master’s program in Pastoral Ministry at Andrews University. Throughout his career, Taji has demonstrated a commitment to creating empathetic and relevant content that resonates with audiences across various platforms.
As the new Communications and Media Director, Taji will lead our efforts to enhance SECC's communication and media strategies, ensuring that our message reaches and inspires our diverse community. We are confident that his creative vision and dedication will continue to uplift and expand our conference's communication and media efforts as well as our mission.
Please join us in congratulating Taji on his new role and in offering your support as he transitions into this important position. We look forward to the exciting contributions he will bring to SECC in the years ahead.
Welcome, Taji!
Danielle Berumen and Gabriel Morales Ordained to the Gospel Ministry
By Danni Thaw
This past May and June, the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) ordained two pastors: Danielle Berumen and Gabriel Morales.
Pastor Danielle Berumen serves as the Children’s and Family Ministry pastor at Calimesa church. She began her full-time pastoral career in April 2016 and joined Calimesa in March 2022.
Pastor Berumen holds a bachelor’s degree from La Sierra University and a master’s from Andrews University. Her journey into ministry began in college when she felt a clear call from God, shifting her path from pre-med to pastoral ministry.
"My ordination was more special than I anticipated it would be. It was so meaningful to be affirmed and encouraged," said Pastor Berumen. Her multicultural background and bilingual abilities allow her to minister to a diverse community.
Pastor Berumen views her role as holding the door open for all people to encounter Jesus. She loves spending time with her family, including her husband, Manuel “Manny” Berumen, and their two children, Eiza (4) and Judah (2).
Pastor Gabriel Morales, who serves as the young adult and media pastor at Azure Hills church in Grand Terrace, California, also brings a rich cultural heritage to his ministry. He began his current role in February 2023.
A graduate of Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico and Andrews University, Pastor Morales helps collegiates and young professionals deepen their relationship with Jesus and creates meaningful worship experiences through multimedia platforms.
"What’s significant about ordination is the affirmation and support received from my community," shared Pastor Morales. "For me, I have always been convinced of my calling. Ordination is just a public expression of what God has already been doing through me."
Drawing from his Puerto Rican roots, Pastor Morales incorporates the warmth and hospitality of his culture into his pastoral approach. He enjoys running, drinking delicious cafecito, rooting for New York sports teams, and spending time with loved ones.
SECC is blessed to celebrate the ordination of these dedicated pastors, who enrich their communities and spread the love of Jesus Christ. Congratulations to both!
On a Sabbath back in May, an entire Sabbath School class from Loma Linda University church (LLUC) took a field trip to radio host and Torah scholar Dennis Prager’s personally established synagogue in the San Fernando Valley, The Torah Minyan. Their visit was facilitated by Prager’s assistant and program producer, Allen Estrin, and built upon a decades-long dialogue and friendship between Dennis Prager and LLUC member Janine Colburn.
The Rational Bible Sabbath School class was founded in 2022 and is based on Dennis Prager’s recorded lectures at the University of Judaism, together with his commentary volumes on the Torah —the first five books of the Old Testament. The class aims to compare Jewish and Christian teachings, using Adventist commentaries and Ellen G. White’s Patriarchs and Prophets.
A total of 17 members from LLUC arrived for Sabbath at the synagogue. When Prager rose to give the sermon after the morning prayer session, the group was astonished to hear him say he had totally changed his sermon in anticipation of their coming. Whereas the “Torah Portion” for the day was to be in the book of Leviticus, Prager spoke instead more generally, titling his talk, “The Most Important Texts in the Torah.”
After a potluck lunch, Prager invited the LLUC Sabbath School leaders to participate in an interview for the benefit of his own members still present, around 150 in number.
During the interview, class leaders were asked questions about the Seventh-day Adventist Church, its origins, beliefs, primary founder, and the denomination’s general approach to Sabbath-keeping. Afterward, many Minyan members stayed by to ask further questions and field questions about Judaism from the group. Prager himself asked for a copy of Patriarchs and Prophets when he was shown one, and blessedly, the group just happened to have one to give him.
As the class was leaving, Prager invited them back, saying, “Let’s have an annual Adventist Day at the Torah Minyan!”
The Rational Bible Sabbath School class meets every Sabbath at 10:30 a.m. in the Family Ministries Complex of Loma Linda University Church, Room 2410. All are welcome.
SECC Hosts Fourth Annual Youth Ministries Summit
By Aren Rennacker
In March, the youth ministries pastors of Southeastern California Conference (SECC) gathered for the fourth annual Youth Ministries Summit. Hosted this year at Azure Hills church, the Summit is an opportunity for the pastors of SECC to build camaraderie, inspire mission, and equip each other for effective youth ministry.
The day began with a breakfast spread and time in worship, then they took time to celebrate weddings, births, and ordinations from the past year. The morning session included a keynote message from Chris Oberg, pastor and CEO of Path of Life Ministries, and a collective ministry Q&A session on topics relevant to the field. About 60 children’s, youth, and young adult pastors were in attendance.
“We are blessed to set aside one day to create space to support, bless, and express our appreciation for our pastors,” said Isaac Kim, associate youth director and conference lead for family and children’s ministries. “We do not say it enough but, ‘Thank you, pastors!’”
The afternoon session began with an acknowledgement of SECC’s female youth ministry leaders, followed by a keynote address from Sam Leonor, mission and spiritual care executive for Adventist Health. “Meekness does not mean weakness,” Leonor stated, reminding the pastors to set healthy boundaries. “Always guard your hearts.” The day finished with a prize giveaway that included a new espresso machine and tickets to Disneyland.
“The content and camaraderie of the Youth Summit was, as always, extraordinary,” said Lindsey Haffner, youth pastor at Redlands church. “It was a combination of important updates and meaningful presentations and conversations that connect us as partners in ministry.”
One special guest in attendance was Steve Case, president of Involve Youth and author of numerous books on youth ministry. “This one-day gathering for pastors who focus on ministry to and with young people combined inspiration, worship, food, and fun,” Case reflected. “I left feeling connected, energized, and eager to serve.”
“When I come to the Youth Summit, I feel like my time and work is respected and valued,” Haffner said. “These check-ins are such a refreshing reminder of why it’s a privilege to work in ther SECC."
April 6, 2024, was a high day for the El Cajon SDA Christian School (ECSDA) as they celebrated 100 years as a school with a special program during the church service.
With very humble beginnings, the El Cajon church was established in 1912, and a sanctuary was built. The members decided to open a one-room school on the same property as the church. The school has grown over the years, and a new building was erected with more classrooms and a gymnasium.
For the special anniversary program, El Cajon was privileged to have Patty Marruffo, executive secretary of Southeastern California Conference (SECC), as the guest speaker. Other notable participants in the program included Datha Tickner, SECC superintendent of schools; Rachel Romero, SECC coordinator of small school support and former teaching principal of ECSDA; and David Roysdon, teacher at San Diego Academy.
The students sang and provided the children’s story. Many alumni attended. One alumna, Lisa Fultz Bradley, came all the way from Roseburg, Oregon, and shared her memories of El Cajon. “I am still close with dear friends from even the earliest years there,” said Fultz Bradley. “In first grade, we had a very special teacher who had a special story time each day. She taught us how to play the ukelele, and we performed at various churches in the area. Many of us still have our ukes and have taught or are currently teaching others how to play because we still enjoy it so much and such a fondness is associated with it."
“The El Cajon SDA Christian School is a hidden jewel in our area,” shared Diana Harper, a teacher at ECSDA. “I was the teaching principal (1994-1999) and felt the entire time I served there that it was indeed a wonderful blessing in my life. God was present each and every day and worked in the lives of the students, parents, and staff.”
Currently, the school has two dedicated teachers and many volunteers. ECSDA is a multicultural school and is proud of its young people. The school’s goal is to prepare their young people for heaven, where they will have the most wonderful reunion that will never end.
The Beaumont church celebrated the 50th anniversary of its sanctuary on April 13, the exact date when church services were first held in the current facility.
In February, they welcomed their new pastor, Ron du Preez. One of the first things on his agenda was to celebrate this important anniversary. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for the congregation and guests to hear the Word, fellowship, enjoy music, and celebrate God’s faithfulness over the years.
The festivities began with a Friday evening vespers service, themed “Lo! He Comes—Longing for the Lord’s Day.” Attendees sang songs about the second coming of Christ, including the opening song, “Lift up the Trumpet,” accompanied by trumpets. Longtime members shared personal testimonies about the church's impact on their lives and the community, highlighting the blessings received through the Beaumont church.
Sabbath was filled with special events. The Honorable David Fenn, mayor of Beaumont, and his wife, Misty, offered greetings and good wishes for many more years of gratitude to God. Former pastors attended, including Bob Atteberry, Bill Penick, and Meshach Soli, along with Mark Etchell, the pastor from their sister church in Banning.
The worship hour featured music by the Advent Chorale and a sermon delivered by Atteberry. It was a special time for reconnecting with friends and former members, contemplating the joy of reuniting with loved ones at the second coming of Jesus.
The celebration continued with performances by children and other groups. Mary Ellen Bazemore reviewed the church's history through a PowerPoint presentation, showcasing various activities over the years and how people have changed over time.
The evening ended with a final song, “When We All Get to Heaven.” Guests stood and sang with power and emotion, expressing a collective longing for that wonderful day.
This golden anniversary provided a unique opportunity to honor the church’s past, celebrate the present, and dream for the future. The occasion strengthened the bonds within the church community and set a vision of mission and outreach for years to come, all for the glory of the Creator and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
