Jose Marin, Hispanic Coordinator

Jose Marin recently accepted the position of Hispanic Coordinator for the Arizona Conference, replacing Omar Grieve, who moved to the Washington Conference last year. Prior to his call to Arizona, Marin was an evangelist for the Texas Conference. He has also pastored in Austin and Brownsville, Texas, in both Hispanic and English-speaking congregations.

As Hispanic Coordinator, Marin will do lay-training with the 5,000-plus Hispanic members in the Arizona Conference. He will also oversee the work of 20 Hispanic churches in the conference, working with Ministerial Director Ed Keyes in training and providing resources for Hispanic pastors. A seasoned evangelist, Marin also plans to conduct five evangelistic campaigns in Arizona annually.

Marin’s stated ministry objective is "to serve the Lord in His call to evangelism and to reach first, second and third generation Hispanics with the good news of Christ."

Born in Los Angeles, Calif., Marin graduated from San Diego Academy, then received his bachelor’s in theology from Montemorelos University. He is presently working on completing his master’s from Andrews University. Marin was ordained to the gospel ministry in June of 2000.

He and his wife, Cynthia, have been married for 14 years and have three children, Geovanni, 10, Nephtali, 9, and Josemiugel, 7.

Vince Onkoba, Literature Evangelism Director

Vince Onkoba was born in Kenya, Africa, where he lived until he was 10. He and his family moved to the United States in 1986. He is fluent in French, Spanish, Kiswahili and English.

Onkoba studied chemistry and French at Missouri Western State University prior to beginning his work in literature evangelism in 2003 in the Iowa-Missouri Conference where he worked in the Magabook program. In 2004, he worked as a Bigbook student colporteur.

He transferred his studies to Souls West here in Phoenix and graduated from that program in 2006. At that point he became actively involved in the Arizona State University evangelism project for the conference.

While a university student in Missouri, Onkoba met a fellow student who didn’t know who Jesus was. He found this to be totally amazing — in America — that this person had no clue as to who Jesus was, not from radio or even television. Since she had little money, he gave her a small Steps to Christ. That experience had a profound effect on his life.

He determined that there was much more to life than education and prosperity — the most important thing was bringing people to a knowledge of Jesus. He opened his heart to God’s will and followed the admonition found in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

“My most important focus is proclaiming the eternal gospel message,” Onkoba says. “God is waiting for us to dedicate ourselves to Him, spending our time and energy leading people to Christ." His family lives in St. Joseph, Mo. His hobbies include sports, outdoor activities, reading, snowboarding, wakeboarding, mountain biking, back packing, basketball, volleyball, and reading.

David Hakes, Pastor in Flagstaff and Sedona

Pastor David Hakes and his wife, Dana, are coming to the Flagstaff and Sedona district from the Chicago, Ill., area. The Hakes have enjoyed doing team ministry for more than 30 years in the Minnesota, Indiana, Georgia-Cumberland and Illinois conferences. Dana teaches piano and organ and has directed handbell choirs in her ministry.

Married for 32 years, the Hakes are happy to be working near their son, Scott, who is pastor of the Southeast Adventist Fellowship for Evangelism (SAFE) congregation in Mesa. They were present at Scott’s ordination service this past summer during camp meeting. The Hakes also have a daughter, Karri, who lives in the Chicago area with her husband, Bryan, and the Hakes’ only grandson, Joshua, age eight months.

Hakes has been active in evangelism and has been blessed to baptize hundreds during his years of ministry. He has also been instrumental in establishing several new church and school building programs.

David and Dana graduated from Southern Missionary College one day, got married the next, and started their ministry the same month of 1975. “I’m looking forward to leading the Flagstaff and Sedona churches as they become more involved in their community,” says David. “Our desire is to help our churches become more effective in showing the world the truth about God and preparing people to meet Jesus when He comes."

Renato Valenzuela, Pastor of Casa Grande English, Chandler and Gilbert Spanish Churches

Renato Valenzuela and his family are not new to the Arizona Conference. He has been completing his Masters of Divinity at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., as a sponsor of the conference.

Before going to the seminary, Valenzuela pastored the Marana and Northwest Tucson churches. He returns to pastor the Casa Grande English church and the Chandler and Gilbert Spanish churches.

Renato's wife, Alba, is pursuing a master’s degree in administration from Andrews and will graduate in June. They have two children, Susi, 13, and Alden, 9.

In his spare time, Renato loves doing home repair — carpentry, tile, painting and all sorts of "Mr. Fix-it" projects.