Watch the presentations from this year’s ministerial retreat by scanning the QR code.
Ministerial Retreat Includes Elders in Addition to Pastors
T
he ministerial retreat for the Central California Conference takes place at the beginning of each year to cast a vision for that year. The 2023 ministerial retreat started in a new way, though. For the first time, elders from each church were included in addition to the pastors who normally attend. The event brought together 428 individuals from the conference who were able to spend time together, encourage each other, and grow through learning more about God. “We realized if we want to mobilize our churches in the conference, we need to have our pastors and our elders working together,” explained Ricardo Viloria, ministerial and church planting director for the Central California Conference. The goals of this event were based on the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” (NIV). The
26 Pacific Union Recorder
Central California Conference
leaders and speakers at the event encouraged everyone to mobilize the people in their churches, start new groups around the conference, and baptize in the name of Jesus. Jose Cortes Jr., associate director for evangelism at the NAD Ministerial Association, spoke for the event, encouraging the mobilization of elders and pastors. In addition, Angeline D. Brauer, director of NAD health ministries; Richie Halversen, director of growth and revitalization for the Southern Union; and Sam Neves, associate director of communication for the General Conference, all spoke at the event. “The retreat was an experience that will not be