InMinistry Center

12/16/2025

Israel Ramos to Serve as Executive Secretary for Michigan Conference.

Israel Ramos has accepted the call to serve as Executive Secretary for the Michigan Conference.

The Michigan Conference Steering Committee—comprised of the Executive Committee and the Nominating Committee from the 2023 Constituency Meeting—approved the appointment on December 14. Pastor Ramos will begin his new role effective immediately.

Ramos joined the Michigan Conference family in 2002, serving as Director of the CAMPUS Missionary Training program. He later pastored the Houghton, L’Anse, Greenland, and Marquette churches in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

In 2011, he accepted a call to serve as Director of the Public Campus Ministry Department of the Michigan Conference, where he has faithfully equipped and ministered to high school and college students across the state.

“I am humbled by the committee’s vote of confidence and overwhelmed by a sense of responsibility as I face the journey ahead,” Ramos stated. “I desire to carry out the responsibilities of this new role faithfully and, by God’s grace, do my part in advancing God’s kingdom and hastening His soon return.”

Conference President Jim Micheff expressed his gratitude to the Steering Committee for their diligent work in the selection process and shared his appreciation for Pastor Ramos’s ministry. “Throughout his ministry, Pastor Ramos has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing the gospel. His work on college campuses has led countless young people to Christ, and his leadership has inspired a generation of youth to serve the Lord as missionaries wherever they are. His dedication, spiritual insight, and passion for mission have been a blessing to both our workers and members.”

Having served as a minister in the Conference for more than two decades, Pastor Ramos brings a seasoned perspective and proven leadership that will strengthen the work and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Michigan.

10/14/2025

MAPM (Spanish) graduate.

Orlando Lopez Elected President of Florida Conference

On Sunday, October 12, Orlando Lopez was elected by a joint committee to serve as the 25th president of Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The Conference Executive Committee and the members of the Nominating Committee appointed for the Conference's 2022 constituency cycle were led in a special joint session by Southern Union President Ron C. Smith, D.Min., Ph.D. During the session, nominations were invited from the joint committee, and delegates cast their votes through an anonymous electronic ballot process conducted by Southern Union.

"On behalf of Southern Union, we are proud to announce the election of Orlando Lopez as the 25th president of Florida Conference," said Smith. "His commitment to growth, his unswerving embrace of professionalism, and his deep-seated demonstration of the love of Jesus assure us that Florida Conference will be in great hands. Let's pray for president Lopez, his wife, Monica, and their wonderful children as they accept the new responsibility of leading Florida Conference."

Born into a pastoral family, ministry has been a vital part of Lopez's life, and he has dedicated himself to God's church. He began his pastoral leadership in 1997 and has ministered in Florida Conference for more than 28 years. Prior to his appointment as President, Lopez served seven years as Vice President for Pastoral Ministries. Earlier in his career, he was a beloved pastor of multiple congregations, recognized for his selfless service and passionate preaching of the gospel. Lopez holds a master's in pastoral ministry from Andrews University Theological Seminary.

"I am humbly honored to accept the call to serve as President of Florida Conference," said Lopez. "It is my heart's desire to continue spreading the good news of Jesus' soon return as together we continue to walk in faith, hope, and love."

We invite you to welcome, congratulate, and pray for Orlando, Monica, and their children, Orlando and Isaac, as they follow God's calling in this new role of leadership and service to the more than 75,000 members of Florida Conference, the communities it serves, and all whom their ministry will touch.