Sandra Roberts Re-elected Southeastern California Conference President
10 October 2018 | Constituents from the Southeastern California Conference re-elected Sandra Roberts as president at a constituency meeting held at La Sierra University Church on Sunday morning, October 7, 2018. Roberts is the only female conference president in the Adventist denomination.
The General Conference of the Adventist Church does not recognize Roberts’ ordination as an Adventist minister due to a controversial policy that does not provide for the ordination of women as pastors within the denomination. The GC does not recognize Roberts as president of the Southeastern California Conference.
Since Roberts’ election in 2013, over 7,800 new members joined the conference. Membership is currently just under 70,000.
In addition to Roberts, all the other conference officers recommended by the SCC nominating committee, were confirmed. These included Jonathan Park, executive secretary; Verlon Strauss, treasurer; Elizer Sacay, vice president for Asian/Pacific ministries; Robert Edwards, vice president for Black ministries, who replaces George King as he retired; and Yohalmo Saravia, vice president for Hispanic ministries, who replaces Alberto Ingleton because he accepted a position at the Pacific Union.
The SCC officers were dedicated with a prayer by Karen Martell, prayer ministry coordinator who prayed that the officers may have the mind of Christ in their service to others.
Roberts led the final prayer of the constituency session.
“As Your body, we leave this place,” prayed Roberts. “We go, oh God, looking forward to how you will be glorified through the work that will be done in every church, every school, and every family. We are committed to growing together in Christ.”
Photo credit: Bryant Taylor. During the Constituency Session six conference officers were elected. Pictured from left to right are: Elizer Sacay, vice president of Asian/Pacific ministries; Verlon W. Strauss, treasurer; Sandra Roberts, president; Jonathan Park, executive secretary; Robert Edwards, vice president for Black ministries; Yohalmo Saravia, vice president for Hispanic ministries
