Bakersfield Southside Adventist Church Welcomes Pastor Aster Bruce

The Central California Conference recently welcomed Pastor Aster Bruce as the new minister of Bakersfield Southside Adventist Church, where he officially began his pastoral duties with an installation service on October 18, 2024.

Pastor Bruce brings over two decades of ordained ministry experience to his new congregation, having served in diverse roles across three continents. His extensive background includes 16 years of pastoral work in the North England Conference of the British Union and eight years in the Eastern Caribbean Conference.

"The journey has been a rather smooth transition, paved with joy and the kindness of the believers," Bruce said about his first weeks at Bakersfield Southside. "By God's grace, I'm settling well into the new church culture."

Strong Educational Foundation

Bruce holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Theologische Hochschule Friedensau in Germany and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Andrews University. He is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry degree at Andrews University, with all taught modules finished.

Additionally, Bruce is a Certified Family Life Educator through the Trans-European Division, a qualification that enhances his ministry to families within his congregation.

Diverse Ministry Background

Before entering full-time ministry in 1994, Bruce spent seven years as a primary school teacher in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He later served as a Prison Welfare Officer with the Ministry of Justice in St. Vincent, where he also counseled drug addiction patients at the Marion House rehabilitation program. These experiences, he explains, served as training grounds for developing varied spiritual qualities.

His ministerial leadership has been notably diverse. Bruce served four years as a Literature Evangelist for the South Caribbean Conference and served as president of the Colporteur Club at Caribbean Union College (now the University of the Southern Caribbean) in Trinidad. He also led the ministerial association in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, coordinating pastoral care and regional outreach programs. Most recently, he served as Ministerial Field Secretary and Chairman of Area Advisory in the North England Conference.

"I see myself as a missionary," Bruce explained when asked about his motivation to serve in Central California. "I've worked in the Caribbean field, in Europe, and now here in North America. It's the guidance of God coupled with my missionary mindset that brought me here."

Focus on Prayer and Evangelism

Bruce identifies prayer ministry and evangelism as central to his pastoral approach, describing evangelism as "my specialty and the affection of my heart." His passion extends to teaching God's Word through both Bible study and sermon presentation.

His evangelistic vision encompasses various outreach methods including door-to-door ministry, health programs, and visitation. He emphasizes ministry to marginalized and disadvantaged communities, reflecting his chaplaincy background and social service experience.

"Evangelism is my community-based focus," Bruce said. "It encompasses different aspects, whether it's personal visitation, health programs, or public evangelism itself."

Leading Multicultural Ministry

With extensive experience leading multicultural and multi-ethnic congregations, Bruce is well-equipped to serve Bakersfield's diverse community. His ability to manage large churches—having previously pastored congregations of 650-plus members—positions him well for the challenges ahead.

As he settles into his new role, Bruce acknowledges specific challenges facing the congregation. While Bakersfield Southside has substantial membership numbers on record, actual attendance remains significantly lower—a situation he hopes to address through strategic programs and renewed outreach efforts.

"We pray for God's wisdom as we navigate programs and strategies to reconnect with our members while extending our boundaries to encourage others to join the Advent family," Bruce said.

The pastor also requests prayers for his family as they adjust to life in Central California, noting particular challenges his spouse faces with professional work restrictions due to visa requirements.

Personal Interests

Outside ministry, Bruce maintains an active lifestyle with interests in football (soccer) and cricket. His athletic background includes track and field, and he hopes to resume playing table tennis and participating in sporting activities as he settles into the community. He also brings advanced technical skills, being proficient in multimedia equipment for church presentations.

Pastor Bruce expressed gratitude to the Central California Conference ministerial body and the wider church family for their warm welcome, saying he's "glad to be part of our illustrious men and women in ministry."

The Bakersfield Southside congregation looks forward to growing under Pastor Bruce's experienced leadership as he implements his vision for prayer ministry, biblical teaching, and comprehensive community evangelism.

Written by Justin Kim