This week I got to sit down with Will Penick, Ministerial Director for the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) — one of the largest Adventist conferences in the country, serving close to 70,000 members across Southern California. Will stepped into the Ministerial Director role in November 2023, but his journey to get there? Far from traditional.

Raised in a pastor's home, Will spent years trying to do anything but ministry. We talk about that tension, the wrestling match with calling, and what it finally took for him to say yes.

We also get into The Journey — a retreat SECC runs specifically for pastors that's tackling burnout head-on and helping ministers actually get fed spiritually, not just keep pouring out. This conversation is needed.

And we wrap up talking about the future of the Church — where it's headed, what's at stake, and what Will thinks will actually move the needle.