Delegates to the constituency session of the Central California Conference, Nov. 14, re-elected their officers: Jerry Page, president; Ramiro Cano, executive secretary; Steve Horton, vice president for ministries; and Nelson Tabingo, treasurer.
Daniel Escamilla was also re-elected as director of Hispanic ministries.
Three new people will join the office staff.
Daniel S. Botabara, currently pastor of the San Jose Filipino church, was elected director of Asian/Pacific ministries. He came to CCC from Hinsdale, Ill., where he was senior pastor of the Fil-Am church. Botabara was born in Naga City, Philippines, and is married with a son and a daughter. He has 28 years experience in ministry and a Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral care and counseling.
Joseph A. Jones, pastor of Fresno Westside church, was elected director of African-American ministries. Jones started ministry in 1969 in the Northern California Conference, then worked 22 years in the South Central Conference. He was born in Atlanta, Ga., and raised in the San Francisco area. He is married with two sons and four grandchildren. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree.
John Shin, currently pastor of the Bakersfield Korean church, was elected associate executive secretary, a position that does not exist in other Pacific Union conferences. Before coming to the CCC, Shin pastored in the Northern California Conference. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University, is married and has two children.
The session included more than business. Before discussion and voting began, the newly established youth evangelism team led a time of singing, worship and prayer. And several constituents shared experiences of God’s leading in their lives and the growth in their churches. One family shared how God continually provided funds for Adventist education for their four children.
The delegates voted and celebrated five new churches: Auberry, Hanford House of Hope Multi-ethnic, Modesto Westside, Santa Cruz Hispanic, and Seaside Hispanic.
President Jerry Page expressed his appreciation for the high level of support for the camp meeting evangelism offering, which has climbed steadily for several years. The offering in 2003 totaled $837,000, far exceeding the goal of $500,000. “As the offerings have increased, new ministries have been established,” said Page. “Since the last constituency meeting, the camp meeting offerings have resulted in 164 public meetings, 171 new projects, 25 church plants, 37 Bible workers, and 3,163 new members.”
Lunchtime breakout discussion groups provided delegates an opportunity for information and dialogue in three areas: capital campaign, ministries, and constitution and by-laws.
In the afternoon, delegates approved Phase II of a major capital campaign to develop the conference camp at Wawona, improve the Soquel Conference Center campgrounds and establish a conference-wide educational endowment for K-12 grades. And while they were at it, they approved a revised Phase I goal of $10.7 million to pay for expanded projects, escalating construction costs and land entitlement challenges.
