For Immediate Release
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — September 2, 2026 — The Northern California Conference Executive Committee elected Pastor José Marín as president of the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on September 2. Marín fills the vacancy created when Dr. Marc Woodson was elected president of the Pacific Union Conference during its August Constituency Session.
In accordance with the Northern California Conference Bylaws, the Conference Executive Committee is authorized to fill officer vacancies between regular constituency sessions.
Marín has served as executive secretary of the Northern California Conference since 2018 and as a member of the Conference’s executive leadership team, helping guide organizational strategy, ministry, leadership development, and mission throughout Northern California.
Born in Long Beach, California, Marín attended public schools before spending his senior year at San Diego Academy. During spring break that year, he participated in a mission trip that helped clarify his calling to ministry.
“I realized what my life purpose was—to serve God in ministry,” Marín recalled.
Marín earned a degree in theology from Montemorelos University in Mexico and has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Washington, Texas, Arizona, and California. Over the course of his ministry, he has held increasingly broad leadership roles in church planting, pastoral ministry, evangelism, Hispanic ministries, Sabbath School, ministerial leadership, and conference administration.
His ministry in Northern California began in 2014 as Hispanic ministries coordinator. After gaining additional executive leadership experience in the Arizona Conference, he returned to Northern California in 2018 as executive secretary. Throughout his ministry, Marín has remained focused on sharing the grace of Jesus Christ, developing leaders, strengthening churches, and helping people grow in their relationship with Christ.
As president, Marín will continue advancing the Conference purpose of connecting people to an abundant life in Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return. He is also committed to continuing the Conference’s emphasis on organizational health through the NCC Advantage, strengthening clarity, teamwork, healthy leadership practices, and mission alignment throughout its churches, schools, ministries, and other entities.
The NCC Advantage has become an integral part of the Conference’s organizational culture, providing a shared framework for how leaders and teams work together to accomplish the mission.
Marín’s election provides continuity in executive leadership while building on the mission and organizational priorities already established. His years of experience working alongside pastors, educators, employees, church members, and ministry leaders throughout Northern California provide a strong foundation as he assumes the presidency.
The Northern California Conference invites members to pray for Pastor José Marín, his family, and the Conference leadership team as they continue serving the mission throughout Northern California.
Media Inquiries
Laurie Trujillo
Director of Communication and Development
Laurie.trujillo@nccsda.com