A little note from Pastor Art

My freshmen year week-of-prayer at Atlantic Union College is when I finally understood the plan that God had in store for me to become a pastor. I wrestled with Him for some time, but God made it clear that He wanted me to become a pastor. When I finally surrendered is when the real adventure began!

Part of that plan was for me to go back to Brazil to relearn the language and the culture, with the primary intention of completing my Bachelor's in Theology. Little did I know how valuable that experience turned out to be as I began my ministry in the Southern New England Conference once I graduated in December of 2001. However, it was during one of my “commutes” back home here in the United States for the summer that I eventually met my wife, at the airport of all places. A little over three years after we met, we were married in 2003.

Since then, we have served three different conferences in various capacities, ranging from Associate Pastor, Youth Pastor, Associate Youth Director, Youth Director, and Senior Pastor prior to coming into the Florida Conference as the Senior Pastor of the St. Petersburg Seventh-day Adventist Church.

God has shown me through my experiences in life and in ministry, that as individuals, we all have a story to tell. No matter our age, whether it be our own conversion experience and/or experiences in walking with the Jesus, He has a plan for my life. Consequently, because of my passion to work with young people, He has led me to also accept His calling to serve as a United States Air Force Chaplain. This experience has afforded me the ability to talk about God’s plan for each of us in a unique and special way, that only as an officer, I would have that opportunity and accessibility.

My family and I are excited and honored with the privilege to serve the St. Petersburg Seventh-Day Adventist Church. We are looking forward this new chapter in our lives and in ministry.