On Dec, 19, the Northern California Conference executive committee voted Dr. Ivan L. Williams Sr. as the new ministerial director for the Northern California Conference. The committee also voted Dr. Del Dunavant as the new director of evangelism. “Ivan Williams and Del Dunavant are wonderful additions to the conference team,” said Marc Woodson, NCC executive secretary. “They are both highly gifted individuals who have the pastor's touch. I am looking forward working with them both."

Williams, who most recently served as the senior pastor of the Capitol City church in Sacramento, Calif., transitioned into the new position in January 2008. “It wasn’t an easy decision to leave the local church setting,” said Williams. “The Lord helped me to realize that I still do have a church, but it is the pastors and not a local congregation.”

In addition to having undergraduate degrees in communication and theology and a Master of Divinity, Williams also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree, which he believes will help him in his new position. His doctoral dissertation dealt with pastoral burnout and renewal in Seventh-day Adventist ministry. One of his goals is to implement a sabbatical program, which would help refresh pastors. “I am passionate about helping pastors have staying power in their ministry,” said Williams.

Williams, who currently serves as a chaplain for the California State Assembly and for the 129th California Air National Guard, is married to Kathleen Scott Williams, and has a daughter, Imani, and a son, Ivan II.

In January, Dunavant transitioned from serving as the director of Sabbath school ministries to the director of evangelism, while maintaining his responsibilities as church growth director — a position he has held since 1999. “Previously, most all of my work was training members to minister, now it will be to train pastors to train members,” said Dunavant.

Thus far, Dunavant’s main focus has been overhauling the intensive paperwork required for evangelism funding to a modern, digital format. In addition, Dunavant has identified three specific goals that he will be concentrating on. First, he wants to help pastors train members to have redemptive relationships with their community. Second, he would like to help provide multiple reaping opportunities for each congregation. Third, Dunavant wants to help disciple the members of the NCC, so they are being trained to be like their Master.

Dunavant, who is married to Mary Ellen and has two grown daughters, is looking forward to sharing his passion through his new responsibility. “My passion is bringing people to Jesus, and I want to do everything possible to help pastors and members of this conference do the same,” he said.

NCC President Jim Pedersen is glad to welcome Williams and Dunavant to their new positions. “I believe Pastor Williams has the skills, passion and experience to help our pastors become everything God wants them to be,” he said. “And, Pastor Dunavant will help keep the focus of evangelism and disciple-making before us all in fresh and exciting ways.”