News Articles

Jorge Ramirez Named North American Division Undersecretary

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America voted to elect Ramirez on March 10, 2022.

March 10, 2022 | Columbia, Md. | Art Brondo

Man smiling into camera. — *Jorge Ramirez is the new undersecretary for the North American Division. Photo provided by Jorge Ramirez*

On March 10, 2022, the North American Division committee elected Jorge A. Ramirez for the position of division undersecretary. Ramirez replaces Elden Ramirez, who took a call to serve as executive secretary of the Lake Union this past fall. During the intervening months, Bonita J. Shields has been serving as interim undersecretary.

“Jorge Ramirez comes to the NAD with a rich background in secretariat with more than 15 years of experience. We are excited and blessed to have him and Bexy, his wife, join the NAD family,” said G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president. “God has uniquely prepared him to help lead God’s people in these momentous times.”

Ramirez has served as executive secretary, Ministerial director, and evangelism coordinator of the Arizona Conference. Previously, he worked at Potomac Conference as the vice president.

“We are privileged to see Elder Jorge Ramirez joining NAD Secretariat,” said Kyoshin Ahn, executive secretary for the division. “He is an exceptionally talented administrator whose love for Jesus and the church have been the primary driving force for his ministry.”

While serving at the Potomac Conference, Ramirez assisted the president in leading all the administrative functions of the conference’s mission. In this role, he was responsible for leading three corporations’ mergers. He was instrumental in implementing the following programs/ projects: Child Protection Program, eAdventist, Virginia Tax Scholarship program, and incorporation of early childhood development centers. He also developed a training and certification program for local church clerks.

Before joining the NAD, Ramirez served as senior pastor at Santa Ana Seventh-day Adventist bilingual church in California from 2000 to 2007 and developed a mission and vision focus for this 700-member church, which included transitioning from inward to outward focus resulting in an average of 30-40 baptisms each year.

Ramirez also served as a senior pastor to a 400-member congregation at Loma Linda Spanish Church in California. During this time (1995-2000), separate bilingual worship was created housing more than 200 university students. Title and local giving increased to almost 40 percent. A strong education focus allowed the congregation to send 50 students to Loma Linda Academy.

Ramirez graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology from Loma Linda University (La Sierra Campus) in 1986. He completed his master’s degree in divinity in 1989 and Doctor of Ministry in 2014 at Andrews University.

Ramirez is married to Bexy, and they are blessed with three young men: Reuben, Ryan, and Reiss.

Final Day of the North American Division Year-End Meeting Is a Tour De Force Through Ministry Reports and Resources

While the anchor report of the final day of the 2024 North American Division (NAD) Year-End Meeting was the treasurer’s report on the organization’s finances, the thematic focus was on NAD’s major evangelistic initiative for prayer and revival known as Pentecost 2025. On Nov. 4, 2024, NAD ministry departments and other church partners shared reports showing commitment to the initiative.

Preparing for Pentecost: Worships during the 2024 North American Division Year-End Meeting

Three morning worships with two new officers and one new university president at the final business meetings of North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

"Let It Rain" — Pentecost 2025 Highlighted During 2024 Final Business Session of Year-End Meeting

While the anchor report of the final day of the 2024 North American Division Year-End Meeting was the treasurer’s report on the organization’s finances, the thematic focus was on NAD’s major evangelistic initiative for prayer and revival known as Pentecost 2025. And while NAD ministry departments and other church partners shared reports showing commitment to the initiative, a special presentation on Pentecost 2025 from division leaders also gave attendees a bird’s eye view of plans and recent developments.

“One Plus One to the Power of the Holy Spirit = Amazing Things”

A series of meaningful worship moments — from a message of surrender to the Holy Spirit and an altar call to an impromptu congregational singing of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” — set the stage for the treasurer’s report on the final day of the 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting. As she took the stage on Monday, November 4, NAD treasurer and chief financial officer Judy R. Glass continued the focus on God as our source of strength and provider. “It’s amazing to see what the Holy Spirit is already doing in this room,” she stated.

On Day Three of the North American Division Year-End Meeting, Ministries Share Reports, World Church Leadership Present Initiatives

The North American Division Year-End Meeting resumed for the second day of general business sessions (and third day of YEM) on a clear and crisp Sunday morning after attendees and guests took a day for Sabbath rest and worship. The November 3 morning session primarily focused on the report of NAD executive secretary Kyoshin Ahn, who shared statistics about the current state of church growth and the make-up of its membership.