Texas Conference Executive Secretary David Montoya is retiring after 33+ years of service with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, effective June 30, 2024. Montoya announced his early retirement plans during the Texas Conference Executive Committee on Thursday, May 30, 2024, sharing his family needs to take precedence at this time.
“It was a somber time during the meeting when committee members learned of Elder Montoya’s early retirement plans,” Texas Conference President Elton DeMoraes shared. “They were then quick to affirm his years of service, all spent here within the Texas Conference, and understanding of his family priorities.”
“Elder Montoya is a faithful follower of God and takes his responsibilities to God’s church and his family seriously,” Texas Conference Treasurer Randy Terry added. “I know he has been praying about this decision, asking God to help him know what to do. It has been a privilege to work with him these past five years.”
Montoya’s journey with the Texas Conference began as a stipend pastor in June 1990 after graduating from Southwestern Adventist College (now University) in Keene, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. The following year, the Texas Conference sponsored him to complete his Master of Divinity from the Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.
With the degree complete, he returned in December 1993 to serve as a pastor within the Texas Conference. He served in various Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventist congregations, including Alice Spanish and Falfurrias Spanish; Houston Spanish Heights and Houston Spanish Bellaire district; Waco Spanish, Killeen Spanish and Temple English district; San Antonio Spanish Durango and San Antonio Spanish East Gate district; Austin Spanish First; Austin Spanish Oltorf, Austin Pan-American Spanish, Austin Spanish East district; and the Eagle Pass Spanish, Del Rio Main Spanish, Del Rio/San Felipe Spanish, Uvalde English district.
Montoya was ordained at Nameless Valley Ranch in Leander, Texas, during the Hispanic Camp Meeting on June 6, 1997. He assumed his role as Texas Conference Executive Secretary in July 2019.
“I am so grateful to God for the amazing gift of serving Him for a little over three decades as a pastor and executive secretary for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,” Montoya shared with committee members. “Although I feel I have the vigor and stamina in the Lord to continue to serve Him for many more years in this administrative ministry, after several months of observing my elderly parents’ declining health and after much prayer and reflection, I feel impressed that caring for my mother and father and spending more time with them needs to be my new ministry. For this reason, I have chosen to retire early, effective June 30, 2024. I will end my employment with a heart full of thanksgiving to God and to His saints in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Elder Montoya as pastors in the field, serving on many committees together and now as fellow officers,” DeMoraes added. “He is a blessing to this conference and his cheerful demeanor will certainly be missed.”
The search process will begin immediately for the next Texas Conference Executive Secretary to be filled when the right person is found.
“Please join us in praying for David & Mary Ann Montoya and their families as they enter this new chapter,” DeMoraes added. “We also covet your prayers as the search process begins. Together As One, we will continue to share God’s love throughout Texas and beyond.”
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By Tamara Michalenko Terry, M.A. APR, associate director for Communication & Public Relations for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
