STORY
Hispanic Ministries Camp Meeting Focuses on Church Planting
June 17, 2023
Francis Tuffour

The Hispanic Ministries held its regional camp meeting at Spring Valley Academy today, Sabbath, June 17, 2023, in Dayton. This year's camp meeting for Hispanic churches was organized regionally, unlike the past years, where all had a single camp meeting. Ruth Sandoval, followed by the praise team, led the attendees in a series of inspiring songs.
The camp meeting, under the theme “Planting Churches, Harvesting Salvation,” focused on starting new congregations. Four newly-planted company churches from Cincinnati, Vandalia, Middletown, and a Haitian community within the Ohio Conference were presented and recognized. Pastor Peter Simpson, the Hispanics Ministries director, thanked God for what He is doing in soul-winning. He emphasized the mission of a church, “The church is to reach out to those who have not been reached.” Pastor Simpson invited Pastor Oswaldo Magaña, Executive Secretary and Elder Roy M. Simpson, Treasurer of the Ohio Conference, to lead in the presentation of certificates of recognition to church planting leaders. Nubia Mejia, secretary of Hispanic Ministries, shared that the four groups have met the requirements to become mission churches due to their numerical and financial strengths. Pastor Oswaldo assured that the four new churches would be organized later this year.
Peter Simpson reported on Hispanic Ministries what God has done for the past five years. One thousand six hundred seventy-five people were baptized, membership of Hispanic churches grew from 1,313 to 2,718, and churches increased from 18 to 34 during the period under review. Tithe saw an increase of 126%. On media ministry, Pastor Simpson reported that the Spanish Ministries' online radio, Stereo Adventista, with four locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo, reaches more than 100,000 people in 20 US states and over 100 countries.
Pastor Oswaldo commended Pastor Simpson for his excellent leadership in the Hispanic Ministries. He also disclosed that the Ohio Conference had reconfigured the department, now called multilingual ministries, a move to reach other non-English speaking communities in the Ohio Conference.
Pastor José Espositó delivered the sermon centered his message on Joshua chapter 2, a story of the spies and how Rahab hid them. He pointed out that Rahab wanted salvation not for herself only but for her entire family. Pastor Espositó stated that when the spies kept their promise Rahab and her household were saved, meaning when one is saved, a whole family or house is blessed and impacted.
Pastor Espositó stressed Rahab was the black sheep in her family but brought salvation to her mother, father, and the entire family. “Jesus comes from the lineage of a harlot, Rahab. Because God forgives, don’t stick to the past, there will be no sinners in heaven, but forgiven sinners,” he added. Following his appeal, several people gave their lives to Jesus.
share this
Related Stories

As part of the Pentecost 2025 evangelism initiative, the Iglesia Adventista Ebenezer in Cleveland recently hosted a Multicultural Festival – Día de la Diversidad Cultural, an event celebrating the rich cultural diversity within its congregation and community. The festival brought together members and guests for an afternoon of fellowship, worship, and international cuisine. Participants represented various cultural backgrounds, sharing traditional foods and music that reflected the global nature of the Seventh-day Adventist faith community. In addition to the cultural presentations, the program featured a time of worship and reflection on the biblical message of unity in Christ, a powerful reminder that all believers are part of one family in Him. The celebration underscored the church’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity, outreach, and community engagement as part of the Pentecost 2025 initiative.

On October 5, the Mansfield Seventh-day Adventist Church held its traditional Women’s High Tea Party—an annual event that has become a cherished occasion for fellowship, inspiration, and awareness. Organized by the Women’s Ministries Department, this year’s event brought together nearly 80 guests for an afternoon of elegance, reflection, and encouragement. The High Tea serves not only as a joyful social gathering but also as an important opportunity to raise awareness about cancer prevention and promote holistic health within the community. Through this initiative, the church continues to strengthen its connection with women from both the congregation and the surrounding community. The elegant setting made guests feel instantly at ease. Upon arrival, each woman received a hat—a meaningful symbol tied to the event’s theme: “Behind every hat is a woman with a story to tell.” Throughout the program, participants were invited to reflect on their personal journeys, their faith, and God’s grace at work in their lives. In her devotional, Dee Simmering emphasized the importance of relying on God in every circumstance: “We all have a story—some good, and others painful and full of trials. We must lean on our Lord God Almighty to help us navigate life. We can’t do it alone; we all need God. His love, grace, and forgiveness are what carry us through. These are free gifts given to us when we ask for His help.” The beautifully prepared food and tea service added to the atmosphere of joy and celebration. Guests praised the event for its thoughtful organization, inspiring message, and warm hospitality, with many expressing their appreciation and sharing plans to attend again next year.
With a passion for sharing the gospel and strengthening local church outreach, Kojo Twumasi has been appointed to serve as the Ohio Conference’s new Evangelism Department Director. In this role, he will lead initiatives that inspire, equip, and support congregations in fulfilling their evangelistic mission across the conference territory. A Journey of Ministry and Calling Born in Michigan to Ghanaian parents, Twumasi was raised in Michigan, Uganda, and New York City—experiences that gave him a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and faith communities. His early encounters with ministry inspired him to dedicate his life to God’s work. “I chose to become a pastor at the age of 17—a decision shaped by God’s call on my life, my love for people, the example of my father, the encouragement of my community, and the clear direction of my gifts and passions,” he shared. Reflecting on that early decision, he describes how his journey into ministry began with a deep sense of calling that he could not ignore. Growing up in a family and church community devoted to mission and service, he witnessed firsthand the power of the gospel to change lives. That exposure, combined with personal encounters with God and opportunities to serve both locally and abroad, ignited in him a lifelong passion for evangelism and discipleship. Before stepping into this role, Twumasi served as Youth Pastor at the First Ghana Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York City, then as Associate Pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cincinnati, and most recently as Pastor of the Toledo First and Northwood Seventh-day Adventist Churches. Throughout his ministry, he has also served as a student missionary and international evangelist, leading numerous evangelistic campaigns worldwide through his non-profit organization, Mission Driven Purpose . “Each experience has strengthened my passion for cross-cultural ministry, leadership development, and building systems that help new believers stay connected to Christ and His Church,” he noted. A Vision for Evangelism in Ohio As Evangelism Department Director, Twumasi is eager to strengthen local church outreach across the Ohio Conference. “My vision is to see every church in Ohio become a thriving center of evangelism—where members view themselves as everyday missionaries and where discipleship and compassion are at the heart of outreach,” he said. He believes revival will come as churches unite Spirit-filled preaching with prayer, intentional follow-up, and genuine community care. He desires to see God multiply these efforts so that lives are not only reached but also rooted in faith. Twumasi is especially passionate about empowering congregations to develop a missional culture and strong discipleship systems that help new believers grow and remain active. Faith That Guides His Work For his spiritual foundation, Twumasi draws strength from Scripture, particularly from Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” He says this passage reminds him that ministry is not sustained by human strategy, but by divine power working through people who have surrendered themselves. Beyond the Office Outside of ministry, Twumasi enjoys exercising, playing sports, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends. He believes these moments of rest and recreation help him stay balanced, refreshed, and energized for the work God has called him to do. Looking Ahead As he begins this new role, Twumasi’s message to Ohio Conference members is one of hope and mission: “God is not done with Ohio—the best days of evangelism and growth are still ahead of us.”
STAY UP TO DATE
GET CONFERENCE'S LATEST
Receive monthly updates from the conference, and get a heads up on upcoming events.
Contact Us


