Executive Committee Report

The following is a summary of the regularly scheduled Oklahoma Conference Executive Committee Meeting, that met in the Oklahoma Conference office on October 22, 2026:

Opening Prayer

Daniel Ortega Opened the Committee Meeting with Prayer.

Devotional by Elder Elton DeMoraes

Elton Demoraes shared a devotional highlighting the Oklahoma Conference Core Value: #2: Spirit-led Excellence & Professionalism, based on Acts 6. He emphasized that spiritual leadership and practical wisdom belong together: organization, policies, budgets, planning, and responsible stewardship can all serve ministry. The early church addressed the oversight of widows with Spirit-filled, wise leadership, and the Gospel continued to spread. He encouraged the committee members to listen well, use diverse perspectives constructively, and depend on the Holy Spirit.

Call to Order

Elder Daniel Ortega Called the Meeting to order. 

Approval of Minutes

Voted to approve the agenda of the October 22, 2026, Executive Committee meeting.

Approval of Minutes

Voted to approve the minutes of the August 27, 2026, Executive Committee meeting.

President's Report 

Daniel Ortega shared updates on pastoral transition, open districts, and interim pastors across the Oklahoma Conference. Pastoral searches continue in Ardmore/Pauls Valley, Duncan/Lawton, Edmond, Muskogee, Tulsa Zomi. The President also reported that the insurance check arrived to repair the damaged portico adjoining the Conference Office and the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. Additionally, he announced a mid-term conference-wide gathering on April 10, from 4:00-6:30PM, to highlight the mission taking place across the Oklahoma Conference and to facilitate a joint sharing time.  

Personnel Committee Report

Daniel Ortega reported that the Personnel Committee voted to hire Pastor Cesar Carmona and Pastor Ferdinand Regalado to serve in the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

• The Committee voted to ratify the Personnel Committee’s decision to hire Cesar Carmona as a pastor of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, with an initial assignment to the OKC Central Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, effective November 1, 2026. 

• The Committee voted to ratify the Personnel Committee’s decision to hire Ferdinand Regalado as a pastor of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, with an initial assignment to the Antlers & Hugo District, effective January 1, 2027. 

Departmental Reports:

• Youth Director Israel Mora reported on strong participation across youth, young adult, and club ministries. More than 500 from Oklahoma in attendance at the Union Pathfinder Camporee, over 60 at the young adult “Common Ground” retreat, and 41 baptisms at summer camp over past 4 summers. Mora reported that Jason Diehl will serve as Executive Pathfinder Coordinator and Itzel Javier will serve as Executive Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Upcoming initiatives include the Awaken Youth event in November 2027 and the 2028 Oklahoma/ARKLA joint Pathfinder camporee. 

• Luis Prieto reported continued growth and evangelistic success across Hispanic ministries, highlighting the organization of the Bixby Company, the renovations in the Garnett Seventh-day Adventist Church, the success of the statewide evangelistic caravan initiative. Major events included the “Jesus for Times Like These” gathering, which drew approximately 1,000 attendees, women’s ministry programs, health outreach, and the dedication of the Midwest City Hispanic Church sanctuary. Upcoming initiatives include the “Toppling Giants” elders retreat, training for elders’ wives, a children’s program and the Pastor’s family retreat, “United.” 

Secretariat Report: Elder Nathan Shires

• Conference Membership: 9,510

• Aug-Sept 2026, Baptisms: 45

• Church Attendance Summary: 3,230

• Sabbath School Attendance Summary: 1,776

• VOTED to grant the following transfers out of the Conference church:

  • Patrick Jones, OK Conf Church to College Drive Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pearl, MS.

  • Tracy Oh, OK Conf Church to Dallas Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dallas, TX.

Treasury Report: Tamra Clark

• Voted to accept the August 31, 2026 Financial Report as presented by Tamra. 

• Voted to approve: to approve a loan of $50,000 from the Southwestern Union Conference Revolving Fund for the Ketchum Seventh-day Adventist Church to fund church renewal projects.

• Voted to authorize the removal of Charles W. Reel as an authorized signer, account administrator, and authorized representative, revoking all signing authority, transaction privileges, administrative access, and other account-related authorizations for all accounts held in the name of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

• Voted to authorize the addition of Jessica Burns, Oklahoma Conference Treasurer, as an authorized signer, account administrator, and authorized representative, granting full signing authority, transaction privileges, administrative access, and other account-related authorizations for all accounts held in the name of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 

Adjournment and Closing Prayer: offered by Ben Burknardt

Next Meeting: December 10, 2026

Blessings,

Nathan Shires

Executive Secretary