Oklahoma Conference Constituency Session
WEWOKA, OKLA. – The 71st Constituency Session of the Oklahoma Conference was held at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center on April 27, 2025. Delegates gathered to elect conference officers and directors for the next four-year term and to make changes to the conference’s constitution and bylaws.
The day began with a devotional by Southwestern Union Executive Secretary Stephen Brooks. “When you let God lead, you can rest with the calm assurance that God is leading to victory,” Brooks said. “When God guides, then God provides.”
The business session was called to order at 10:30 a.m., with a quorum of 280 of 354 delegates present.
Two congregations joined the sisterhood of churches: Lakeside Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church and Myanmar Adventist Fellowship.
Michael Merrifield, regional manager of the General Conference Auditing Service, presented the auditor’s report. Oklahoma Conference officers James Shires, president; Apple Park, executive secretary; and Charles Reel, treasurer, gave reports on their respective areas.
Adam Littel, outgoing education director, gave an education report, announcing that there are currently 245 students across seven schools throughout the conference. Present teachers stood and were applauded.
Luis Prieto, Hispanic ministries coordinator, gave the Hispanic ministries report, highlighting church growth within the Hispanic community.
Southwestern Union President Carlos Craig introduced the nominating committee report to the delegates, and the following officers were confirmed: president, Daniel Ortega; executive secretary, Nathan Shires; treasurer, Charles Reel.
The following departmental directors were also voted: associate treasurer, Tamra Clark; ministerial and evangelism director, Richard Piñero; hispanic ministries director, Luis Prieto; education superintendent, Tara Bailey; youth and camp director, Israel Mora; human resources director, Dalia Castellanos; planned giving and trust services director, Charles Reel; communications director, Nathan Shires; stewardship director, Giovanni Marin; public affairs and religious liberty director, Bailley Schmidt; native ministries director, Jim Landelius; men’s ministries director, Robert Quintana; prayer ministries director, Cindy Mercer; community service coordinator, Monique Monroe. Learn more about these leaders on pages 24 and 25.
The executive committee members, as well as mambers for the constitution and bylaws committee for the 2025-2029 quadrennial term, were elected, and changes were made to the constitution and bylaws.
Retiring workers were honored and presented with flowers. Special recognition was also given to retiring officers Apple Park and James Shires, who were presented with gifts. In addition, Laura and Sam Hutchinson, camp rangers and camp chef, who are relocating, were honored and presented with gifts.
As the meeting drew to a close, Shires challenged those present to go home with a new commitment to support and pray for the newly elected leaders. The constituency session concluded with prayer.
By Lori Futcher
Associate Communication Director
