Southwestern Union Conference President

05/28/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Castillo! What a blessing for the Texas Conference. May God continue to guide you and use you powerfully in this new role.

Ismael A. Castillo, Ph.D., has been elected president of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. With nearly 30 years of ministry leadership and extensive experience in multicultural ministries, Dr. Castillo brings a strong record of church growth and evangelism. He is known for his commitment to service, mission and community engagement. Please join us in praying for him as he begins this important role! 🙏

Learn more: TexasAdventist.org/TXCPresidentCastillo2026

05/28/2026

One of the great privileges of serving as Union President is representing our Union on various boards and committees. Today, that work brings me close to home as I attend the community board at Texas Health Huguley Hospital.
We are proud of this strong partnership and grateful to stay connected with such an amazing hospital—one that continues to deliver excellent care while fulfilling its mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ.
After this meeting, I’ll be heading back to the Union to chair the Texas Conference Executive Committee as we prayerfully select their new president.

05/16/2026

Happy World Adventurer Day!
Today we celebrate something truly special—the blessing of our Adventurers’ Ministry and the incredible impact it has on our children, families, and communities.
We are so grateful…
Grateful for our Adventurers—the joy, energy, and faith they bring to our churches.
Grateful for the parents who faithfully support and encourage their children every step of the way.
Grateful for our dedicated volunteers across our Union who believe deeply in this ministry and give of their time and love so selflessly.
Grateful for our churches, pastors, and leaders whose support makes this ministry thrive.
For years, Adventurers and leaders have dreamed of a global celebration—and now it’s here! World Adventurer Day, observed every third Sabbath of May, is a beautiful reminder of what it means to be an Adventurer. It’s a time to celebrate our children, highlight their importance, and show the world the blessing they are to both the church and the community.
Let’s continue to uplift, inspire, and invest in our Adventurers—they are the present joy and the future of our church.

Together in Mission—we grow, serve, and lead the next generation for Christ.

Have a blessed Sabbath!!

05/14/2026

As I leave the campus after a full day, I’m filled with gratitude for the beauty of SWAU and the incredible community that makes it so special. Proud of our students, faculty, and staff—what a blessing to be part of it all!

05/12/2026

Today I had the privilege of chairing the K–12 Board of Education meeting for the Southwestern Union Conference, bringing together Education Superintendents from across our five conferences along with our university leadership.
It was encouraging to see the strong spirit of collaboration and forward thinking as we continue working to strengthen Adventist education across our Union.
We celebrate Tulsa Adventist Academy on its recognition as a Senior Academy, as well as the innovative pilot model for hybrid education emerging from the Texico Conference. The Southwest Region is also developing an out-of-the-box model that is generating excitement, while Southwestern Adventist University continues to move forward under strong academic leadership. Texas continues to excel across its programs, and ArkLa, through Ozark Adventist Academy, is seeing strong student retention.
I’m also thankful for the leadership and partnership of our five conference Education Superintendents and the Vice President for Academics at Southwestern Adventist University, whose commitment continues to strengthen education across the Union.
I’m grateful for the leadership of Dr. Kisha Norris, Vice President for Education, whose vision is helping shape the direction of this work, and for the partnership of Gerson Pancorbo, Communications Director, in finding creative ways to connect our students with The Record Magazine, preserving our legacy while engaging a new generation.
Together in Mission, we are advancing education with intentionality across the Union.
Photos: Gerson Pancorbo & Tammy Prieto

05/11/2026

Grateful for our Adventist Education System!!