Arizona Conference
Arizona Welcomes Three New Directors
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hree new departmental directors have been selected to fill key positions left vacant as staff members accept positions of leadership in other conferences. “Our team has been working together for many years,” said President Tony Anobile. “Suddenly, special opportunities have been offered that make us realize others, too, see what fantastic people we have working in Arizona. As these valued directors move on, we can only be thankful for their incredible contributions and look to God to provide their replacements.” Three new people have now joined the Arizona Conference family.
Abimael Escalante
Abimael Escalante has pastored successfully in the Arizona Conference for the past 10 years. Most recently he was senior pastor at the Phoenix Central church. He is the new assistant to the president for Hispanic ministries, a position left vacant when Pastor Jose Marin accepted a call to the Northern California Conference.
Cindy Brown
Cindy L. Wysong Brown, MBA/HCM/PHR, is the new human resources director. She steps into a newly created department for the conference, and her wealth of experience in health care and office administration will prove invaluable. Previously, Brown was HR director for Adventist Health, Walla Walla General Hospital, Walla Walla, Wash. She is married to Jim Brown, director of Western Adventist Foundation (WAF) in Tempe, Ariz.
Manny Cruz is the new conference youth director.
PHOTOS BY PHIL DRAPER
was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and when he was 8, he and his family moved to Los Angeles and joined the Seventh-day Adventist church after attending evangelistic meetings. Cruz received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of Montemorelos, Mexico. Cruz has been involved in youth ministry for 25 years. His unique “Street Art Ministry” has taken him all around the world, speaking Pastor Abimael Escalante is the new to youth about the power of God to transform Hispanic ministries director. lives. God delivered him from a life of graffiti Prior to coming to Arizona, Escalante was on the streets of Los Angeles to helping teens principal/president of Navojoa University in and youth find Christ, he says. Cruz is married to Sonora, Mexico; executive secretary, evangelism Melanie Cruz. They have four daughters — Carcoordinator, and director of education and men, Carolina, Caryn and Christen. stewardship for the Northwest Conference in One position remains to be filled. Ed Keyes Sonora, Mexico. He holds a Doctor of Education was executive secretary, ministerial director and degree from the University of Montemorelos, evangelism coordinator for the Arizona ConferMexico. He has been married to Mayra Escalante ence for the past 10 years. He is now president for 27 years. They have three children — Myra, of the Nevada-Utah Conference in Reno, Nev., Laura and Suri. and his former position is still vacant. “I could not be more pleased as our new Manny Cruz directors assume their positions of leadership Manny Cruz, most recently associate youth within the conference,” says Anobile. “God has director for the North American Division, has truly blessed!” accepted the challenge of following Pastor Erik Cindy Brown is Arizona’s new human resources director. VanDenburgh as conference youth director. Cruz Phil Draper December 2014
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