14
Recorder
October 5, 1987
Central
California
CONFERENTC CE
Eight ordained during
Soquel Camp Meeting
The final Sabbath of Soquel Camp
Meeting was a very special day for
eight pastors in the Central California
Conference. Robert Zamora, Central’s
ministerial director, performed the act
of ordination. Charles Cook, conference
president, charged the new ministers
to be gentle to all men, patient and a
good soldier. James Finn, vice pres-
ident and director of church ministries,
welcomed the eight to the ministry,
admonishing them to be faithful, and
to love and train the brethren.
David Acosta is presently pastor of
the Lompoc church. He was graduated
from Loma Linda University-La Sierra
in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree
in theology, and received his Master
of Divinity degree from Andrews Uni-
versity in 1984.
Acosta married Rachel Marquez in
1976, and they have four children—Lisa,
Jenee, Aaron and Lynee.
Acosta is committed as God’s servant
to be faithful to the sacred call of the
ministry by giving dedicated service to
the Church and the world. He considers
the ministry to be a call to serve God
by a consecrated life, and that it is his
duty to preach and teach the gospel
of Jesus in order that His remnant people
will be ready for the soon coming.
Manuel Avitia Jr. is currently pastor
of the Bakersfield/Lamont district. His
academic background includes Bachelor
of Arts degrees from the University of
Colorado and Andrews University, and
a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews
in 1982.
Avitia married Tina Romero in 1970.
Their family includes four children—
Manuel, Michelle, Melissa and Mat-
thew.
He has served the Central California
Conference in a variety of locations,
including the Lindsay Bilingual,
Woodlake Spanish, Bakersfield Bilin-
gual and Delano Spanish churches.
The Avitias have a special interest
in developing programs which will aid
bilingual people regardless of their educa-
tional or financial background. They
David and Rachel Acosta
rr
Manuel and Tina Avitia
Paul Bray Jr.
John and Casey Coelho
want to help Hispanic people develop
self-esteem.
Avitia says his ordination 1s very
meaningful personally because he believes
the Lord has called him to this special
ministry, and will provide the blessings
necessary for success.
Paul Bray Jr. has served as a pastor
at the Burlingame church since October
1986. He received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Pacific Union College, and
a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews
University.
Bray has previously served as pastor
of the Lindsay church and associate
pastor of the San Jose Central church.
In describing his desire as a minister
of the gospel, Bray says: ‘“When Samuel
heard God’s voice in his room, he was
awed; when Solomon saw God’s pres-
ence in a newly dedicated temple, he
was humbled; and when Jesus felt the
cool water rush about Him as He came
up out of the Jordan at His baptism,
He was ready to minister with tender
compassion and genuine love. As I min-
ister, it is my prayer that I, too, will
always have the simple awe of the
Infinite, genuine humility to see Infinity
in the smallest thing, so that I can serve
with tender compassion and genuine
love.”
John Coelho III is at present pastor
of the Selma/Sanger churches. He has
earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees
from Columbia Union College, in theol-
ogy and psychology. He financed his
education by operating a home decorat-
ing business in Silver Springs, Maryland.
Coelho married his wife, Casey, in
1970. They have one daughter, Kellie
Anne.
Considering ordination as a divine
seal on his call into the ministry, Coelho
says that becoming a co-worker with
Christ is an awesome responsibility. Con-
sequently he has a feeling of inade-
quacy, yet he has a constant awareness
that the Holy Spirit will preside in his
life. He has a particular desire to aim
his ministry toward bringing new con-
verts to Christ as he continues to nur-
ture his congregation.
Ruben Escalante has served as asso-
ciate pastor of the Visalia church since
returning from Andrews University with
his Master of Divinity degree in 1984.
He was graduated from LLU-La Sierra
in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
While completing his undergraduate
studies he spent summers working in
youth evangelism, inner city work and