Six Pastors Approved for Ordination At our recent Nevada-Utah Conference Executive Committee meeting, we were thrilled with the report that we have six young men approved for ordination — six pastors, with six extremely different life experiences. It was a delight to hear stories of their trials, accomplishments, joys and sorrows. However, the greatest joy of all was to hear their unified desire to do their utmost to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. Larry Unterseher • President, Nevada-Utah Conference In alphabetical order by last name
Sheldon Bryan
Pastor Sheldon R. Bryan is a proud native of Kingston, Jamaica. Married for the last 11 years to Terry Ann Brown-Bryan, they are the proud parents of Abigail Elizabeth Bryan (4 months), and guardians to their nephews Obrian (15) and Justin (10). Pastor Bryan and Terry are both graduates of Northern Caribbean University (NCU), the Seventh-day Adventist University in Mandeville, Jamaica. Terry is a trained researcher and graduate from Loma Linda University with a Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular genetics, while Pastor Bryan finished graduate work in religion and teaching at La Sierra University. Both have served as the pastoral couple for the Salt Lake City Central and Tala Ki Mamani (Tell the World) SDA Churches since May 2010. Before coming to the Nevada-Utah conference, they were active volunteers and then part-time ministers of the Imani Praise Fellowship SDA Church in Moreno Valley, Calif., for eight years, working in collaboration with Dr. David Richardson, Jr.; Pastor Marc Raphael, Sr.; and Dr. Roland Nwosu. Bryan began his professional ministry as a pastoral intern at the North Street SDA Church in Kingston, Jamaica with Pastor Glenville Carr. Pastor and Dr. Bryan’s motto for ministry is: “Glory to God; Service to Man.”
Angel Cuenca (Above) Pastor Sheldon Bryan with his wife Terry. (Below) Pastor Angel Cuenca with his wife Marigold and children Angel and Rosezette.
After high school, without being an Adventist, Cuenca decided to apply to Montemorelos University in Mexico, determined to be a pastor. It took some definite interventions from God in order for him to be accepted into the Adventist Theological Seminary. Soon after being there, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior through
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baptism on October 3, 1992, making him the first Adventist in his family. After graduating with his college B.A. degree, he decided to continue on to earn his Master in Divinity at Andrews University. He then returned to Ecuador to evangelize his family and serve as a pastor. Thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, Cuenca was able to baptize his mother, Rosa Sarango, who is now resting in Jesus. Currently, about 30 members of his family are committed Adventists and are even leading the church in Ecuador. His nephew later decided to study for his Master of Divinity degree, and is now working as a successful pastor in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Cuenca has been married for seven years to Marigold Suzette Manlangit, a Filipina and alumnus of the Adventist University of the Philippines with a B.S. in nursing. God blessed them with two wonderful children - Angel Adriel Cuenca (4) and Rosezette Marigold Cuenca (2). Cuenca plans to continue to work as a pastor, and desires to spread the gospel more through radio stations. He will also carry on the work with the few family members that are still unconverted. Finally, his greatest desire and overall focus is winning souls for Christ’s kingdom.
Ryan Hablitzel
Pastor Ryan Hablitzel and his wife René grew up in Northern California, graduating together from Sacramento Adventist Academy in 1998. A few years after high school, Ryan and René began dating and were married in 2005. Only three months after being married, Ryan felt the Lord’s call to ministry and shared his convictions with René. From day one, René has continually supported Ryan’s pursuit to serve the Lord full time. After attending the Amazing Facts Center of