The General Council has announced the hiring of Rev. John Pethtel as Director of Church Development & Pastoral Services, effective January 1, 2015.  This new position reports to Executive Director Rob Appel and includes responsibilities for church development, new contacts, leadership development, and ministry services to new and existing SDB churches and pastors.  

Pethtel is a graduate of Salem International University (formerly Salem College) and Denver Seminary and has been an ordained SDB pastor for over five years.   He is currently serving as the lead pastor of SpringsLife SDB Church in Colorado Springs, CO.   

Recently Pethtel has served SDBs as Conference President (2012), chairman of the Standing Committee on Christian Social Action and Disaster Relief (2010-2012), Sabbath Promotion chairman (2010-2012), member of Church Planting Task Force (2013-present), and on General Council (2010-present).   

Upon accepting the position, John shared his passion saying, “I am committed to advancing the vision and mission of the SDB General Conference by helping to create a culture in which SDBs see the value of having healthy leaders leading healthy churches that plant healthy churches.”  

Starting January 1, 2015, General Council Vice-Chairman, Susie Fox, will assume the role of Chairman of General Council. David Davis (Seattle, WA) has been appointed by the General Council to fill the interim vacancy left by John until our General Conference sessions in 2015.