The Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists welcomes Pastor Ricardo Viloria as its new president-elect. In this interview, Pastor Viloria shares his journey of faith, his vision for the future, and his goals to advance the church’s mission.
Q: Let's talk about your journey in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
A: I was born into a Catholic family, so I wasn't an Adventist. When I was 10, my parents divorced, which was a difficult time for our family. Amid that crisis, my mother and I were invited to join a small group led by a lay leader from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We found comfort and inspiration in learning about Jesus and His promise of the Second Coming. As a child, I was deeply impressed by the slides they projected on the wall, illustrating these teachings.
My mother, an educator by profession, was so inspired that she began teaching the Bible to others. She started her own small group, and I assisted her as we helped plant new churches. I also joined the Pathfinder Club, where I learned to play the trumpet and became the lead trumpeter for the club band. The Pathfinder director became more than just a guide to me; he was a mentor and spiritual father figure to me, especially during the difficult time following my parents' divorce.
One day, I was invited to preach at the church as a Pathfinder. After the service, the elders approached me—not to correct me, as I had feared—but to encourage me to consider studying to become a pastor. At the time, I had a scholarship to attend the best university in the country for a completely different career. However, after much prayer and discussion with my mother, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being called to pastoral ministry.
I later attended a retreat where the preacher's message resonated deeply with me, strengthening my conviction to pursue theology. I shared my feelings with the conference president, who told me that a scholarship had unexpectedly become available due to the previous recipient being unable to accept it. What normally would have taken at least 30 days—obtaining a passport and visa—miraculously came together in just two days, paving the way for me to enroll in theology school.
The church elders offered to cover my travel expenses. Witnessing God's hand so clearly in these opportunities convinced me to leave everything behind to pursue theology. This journey not only strengthened my belief in the power of prayer but also shaped me into a pastor who deeply values prayer as the cornerstone of ministry.
Q: What motivated you to accept this leadership position?
A: Honestly, I wasn't seeking this role. I had recently started working full-time in ministerial, focusing on supporting pastors and their families, which I thoroughly enjoyed. When asked if I would let my name be considered for this position, my initial reaction was to decline. But after being encouraged to pray about it, I felt impressed to remain open to God's leading.
Mentors and fellow pastors advised me not to close the door on this opportunity. I love this conference—the diversity, the people—and I see the challenges we face. I thought, "If I can help in any way, I'm willing." While I feel humbled and recognize others may have more experience, I decided to accept the role, trusting in God's guidance.
Q: What is your vision for the Central California Conference over the next five years?
A: Jesus has given us the great commission. To advance this mission together, we will focus on three key areas:
Prayer: We will prioritize prayer, seeking God's guidance in every plan and decision. Through personal experience, I have witnessed that wonderful things happen when we earnestly seek God's will.
Collaboration: We need to build consensus and restore open channels of communication between the church and the conference. Listening to our members is not just important—it is essential. I plan to visit our schools and churches, not only for worship services, but to join in fellowship during potlucks and engage in meaningful conversations with church members. This will allow me to listen to their thoughts, answer their questions, and build stronger relationships. By staying present and available to the field, we can address concerns collaboratively and effectively.
Action: After praying and collaborating, we must act. Challenges must be addressed proactively and decisively to move the mission forward.
We face different challenges. By focusing on prayer, collaboration, and action, I believe we can overcome these obstacles. Fostering strong relationships will be key to restoring trust and resources, enabling us to support our pastors, churches, and schools.
Q: How do you plan to engage young people in the conference?
A: I'm a strong believer in the potential of our youth. Young people are not just the future of the church; they are its present. They are ready and eager to lead if given the opportunity. Our new leadership team includes young pastors like David Dean and Anil Kanda, who represent the next generation.
One of my key goals is to mentor and support these young leaders. We aim to actively involve them in our mission and ensure they play a meaningful role in shaping the church’s future. We don't just want to give them a piece of the pie; we want them at the table where decisions are made. Without their involvement, the church cannot thrive, as they are integral to our vision for the Central California Conference.
Q: What are your thoughts on media ministry and technology?
A: I'm excited about the growing role of media ministry and technology in evangelism. Evangelism goes far beyond traditional methods; it embraces friendship evangelism, community service, and digital outreach. Media ministry is a powerful tool for reaching people, especially in areas like Silicon Valley and San Francisco.
We're fortunate to have Justin Kim leading our conference digital evangelism efforts. His vision and passion are driving innovation and expanding our conference's digital outreach efforts. Digital evangelism isn’t just the future—it's the present. We are committed to fully supporting media ministry initiatives to reach as many people as possible in creative and meaningful ways.
Q: Do you have a final message for the Central California Conference members?
A: We are living in the last days of Earth's history, and there's an urgent need to complete our mission. I encourage everyone to:
Be aware of the times: Recognize that Jesus is coming soon, and we must be prepared.
Walk closely with the Master: Develop a strong relationship with Jesus through prayer and daily studying the Bible. True discipleship requires consistent commitment.
Focus on the mission: Stay dedicated to fulfilling our mission so we can go home when the work is done.
My wife, Daisy, and I are praying for each of you. We love you and wish you a Happy New Year. May God bless you abundantly in 2025.
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