The Southern Asia‑Pacific Division (SSD) of the General Conference of Seventh‑day Adventists announced on its second day the appointment of two seasoned administrators to pivotal roles designed to drive evangelism, discipleship and membership engagement across its vast territory.
Pastor Kerry Estrebilla has been named SSD Associate Executive Secretary, while Pastor Sugih Sitorus will serve as Ministerial Secretary for the Division. Both bring significant leadership experience and a passion for mission which the Division believes will boost commitment to the global church’s mission.
Estrebilla: From Conference to Division Leadership
Estrebilla previously served as president of the West Visayan Conference (WVC) in Iloilo City, Philippines, where he oversaw 223 churches and 24,819 members as of 2024. Under his leadership, WVC emphasized integrated evangelism, community service, and local capacity-building. During the 111-year anniversary of WVC, he underscored the role of “serving with humility and forging partnerships for the greater good.”
In his new role as Associate Executive Secretary, Estrebilla will support the Division’s administrative and operational cohesion. His track-record of aligning conference resources with strategic mission initiatives makes him well-suited to this expanded responsibility. One key highlight during his tenure at WVC was his call to a whole-church mobilization for Harvest 2025—the Division’s year-long evangelistic thrust—where he encouraged members to view challenges not as obstacles but as stepping stones for greater involvement.
Sitorus: Ministerial Oversight in a Strategic Field
Pastor Sugih Sitorus joins the Division office from his leadership of the West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM), based in Jakarta, where he serves as president. WIUM covers a population of over 154 million in a largely urban and religiously diverse setting, with 941 churches and 102,223 members as of June 2024.
In his new role as Ministerial Secretary, Sitorus will oversee pastoral leadership development, ministerial training, evangelistic mobilization and reclaiming efforts across the Division. His experience in Indonesia—a field marked by cultural complexity and significant mission opportunity—positions him to bring fresh insights into ministerial strategy, especially within the Division’s 10/40 window mandate. He has emphasized the power of literature ministry and mobilizing lay-evangelists, as evidenced in his publishing-and-media oversight role with the union.
A Mission-Focused Outlook
Their addition in the Division roster reflect SSD’s commitment to strengthening leadership capacity as it advances the gospel message across multiple countries and contexts. Estrebilla’s emphasis on partnerships and training complements Sitorus’s focus on ministerial vitality and urban outreach. Together, their contribution is expected to contribute in SSD’s readiness to reach new communities, lift up local churches and train workers for the mission field.
SSD President Pastor Roger Caderma noted: “These two leaders bring experience, heart and vision. As we move toward Mission REAPS in the new quinquennium, we are trusting God to use their gifts to further the mission of Christ in our region.”
As they assume their new responsibilities, both leaders invite the prayers and support of church members and partners across the Division. Their call is to amplify a spirit grounded in the Word and focused on the mission, inspiring every believer to take part in sharing the gospel—from the bustling cities to the most remote villages.