ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
Ethnic Fellowship – Walter F. Harvey
Walter F. Harvey was elected as the Ethnic Fellowship executive presbyter in August 2021, representing 24 ethnic fellowships within the Assemblies of God. He is the president of the National Black Fellowship of the Assemblies of God, which sponsors the WI+H movement and has vision to transform every urban pain point through a disciple making movement.
Harvey has served as both an executive presbyter and ethnic/language group presbyter for the Wisconsin/Northern Michigan Ministry Network. Harvey served as lead pastor of Parklawn Assembly of God in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 28 years (1992-2020). He continues to serve in an advisory role at Parklawn and is CEO of Prism Economic Development Corporation.
He holds a Bachelor of Science from Marquette University.
Great Lakes Area – Bradley T. Trask
Bradley T. Trask was elected as the Great Lakes area executive presbyter in August 2019. Since 1992, he has been the lead pastor of Brighton Assembly of God in Michigan, which he led in revitalization.
Trask received an undergraduate degree from North Central University, where he is currently serving on the Board of Regents. Additionally, he holds a master of divinity and doctorate in ministry from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
Over the years, Trask has served on several district and national committees for the Assemblies of God. He held the positions of sectional presbyter and executive presbyter for the Michigan District and currently serves as the district assistant superintendent. Trask serves on the AGTrust Board of Advisers, the Assemblies of God Commission on Doctrines and Practices, and as secretary on Convoy of Hope Executive Board.
Gulf Area – Rod Loy
Rod Loy was elected as the Gulf area executive presbyter in August 2023. He pastors First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Under his leadership, the church has helped plant more than 1,350 churches in 63 nations. Loy also serves Project Rescue as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.
Loy is the author of four books: 3 Questions, Immediate Obedience, After The Honeymoon, and Help! I’m in Charge. Loy and his wife Cindy have two sons and two grandchildren.
Language Area – East Spanish – Manuel A. Alvarez
Manuel "Manny" A. Alvarez, was elected as the East Spanish language area executive presbyter in August 2020 by the General Presbytery. He is the superintendent of the Spanish Eastern District of the Assemblies of God, where he oversees nearly 500 churches and ministries with more than 70,000 adherents. He is the pastor to over 1,000 credentialed ministers throughout 16 states in the northeast of the United States, and Washington D.C. Alvarez has served in the General Presbytery since 2000.
Prior to his current role, Alvarez served as lead pastor of Antioch Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, New York, for 5 years and First Spanish Assembly of God Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for 20 years. He has served in various sectional and district leadership roles throughout his ministry, including: district youth director, Christian education director, secretary/treasurer and presbyter.
Alvarez serves on the board of trustees for NorthPoint Bible College and has served the University of Valley Forge for 21 years, currently as part of the council of elders to the president. He is also involved internationally on the Global Hispanic board of the Assemblies of God (FRAHMAD).
Alvarez holds a master's degree in college counseling and student development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and education from Hunter College in New York. He is also a graduate of the Spanish Eastern Bible Institute and was ordained by the district in 1988.
He and his wife, Yamilett, have three adult children.
Language Area – Other – Ben Hur
Ben Hur was elected as the Other Language Area executive presbyter in 2023. Hur was born in the exactly same year as the famous movie 'Ben Hur' was produced (1959). He has been serving Promise Church for more than 25 years, located in Flushing, New York and Leonia, New Jersey, and in 2018, he was installed as the Senior Pastor succeeding Nam Soo Kim.
Hur received his M.Div from Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary from South Korea, STM from Drew Theological Seminary, and D.Min (candidate) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. And is also an adjunct professor of AG Theological School of NY since 1999.
Through his ministerial leadership he has connected and cared for not only his congregation members but the local and global community. His vision and involvement on a local scale has been reaching out to the diverse multicultural demographics in Queens, NY. The magnitude and scope of a local immigrant church in Flushing NY is a testament to the leadership, commitment and the servant-minded attitude of Hur and Promise Ministries.
Hur is married to Chan S. They have three children.
Language Area – West Spanish – Maricela Hernández
Maricela H. Hernández was elected as the West Spanish language area executive presbyter in August 2021, representing nine Hispanic districts within the Assemblies of God. She is the secretary/treasurer of the Texas Gulf Hispanic District of the Assemblies of God.
Prior to her current role, Hernández served as lead pastor of Templo Paraiso, Sullivan City, Texas for nine years and as assistant pastor of Family Christian Assembly, Penitas, Texas for 17 years.
Hernández serves on the AGTrust Board of Advisers, Nelson University Board of Regents, and Global University Board of Trustees. She founded Flames of Fire Bible School in 2007. She serves on the CMN lead team and NWM regional director. She is involved internationally serving as the USA Women Ministries Representative for the Hispanic World Fellowship of the Assemblies of God.
Hernández holds a master's degree in leadership from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of Texas Pan American. She is also a graduate of Bethel Bible Institute.
She and her husband, Rafael, have two adult children and three grandchildren.
North Central Area – Rob Ketterling
Rob Ketterling has served as North Central area executive presbyter since 2017. He is the founding and lead pastor of River Valley Church, a vibrant and generous church committed to leveraging the strength of a local church for the sake of global Church empowerment. With 10,000 people attending each weekend at more than 24 worship experiences at 9 campuses across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, River Valley is a local church discovering new avenues to equip and expand the Kingdom of God around the world. Launched in 1995, River Valley Church gives more than $5 million annually to missions. The River Valley Network strengthens 475 churches with leadership and worship resources, children’s and youth curriculum, and an annual conference.
Ketterling has a “connect-the-dots” teaching style, allowing his audience to take practical steps in their journey no matter where they are. He is a compelling visionary, inspiring people to live an authentic, life changing relationship with Jesus. His ministry journey over the last 30 years has equipped him to challenge and encourage leaders to take their influence to the next level.
Through his unique and practical preaching style, vision casting, and gifts of leadership, Ketterling encourages people to live out River Valley’s mission of cultivating an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
He is the author of several books including Change Before You Have To, Fix it!, and Front-Row Leadership. Ketterling currently serves on several organizational boards including the Lead Team of the Church Multiplication Network (CMN) and Association of Related Churches (ARC) as well as the board of Regents for North Central University and as the Chair of the Global University India College of Ministry Founders Board and on the Board of Catalyst.
Northeast Area – Duane Durst
Duane P. Durst has served as the Northeast area executive presbyter since 2015. He is currently the district superintendent of the New York District. Prior to this, he served as the assistant superintendent for the district and has pastored churches in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York state.
Durst is a graduate of Central Bible College and holds a Master of Divinity in Psychology and Counseling and a Doctorate of Ministry in Administration from Ashland Theological Seminary (ATS) in Ohio. He is an adjunct professor at ATS and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel University. Durst has served as a church consultant in the area of administration, planning and leadership development, and conflict resolution.
Northwest Area – Bill Wilson
Bill Wilson has served as the Northwest area executive presbyter since 2017. He is currently the superintendent of the Oregon Ministry Network of Assemblies of God, where he oversees nearly 200 churches and ministries with more than 40,000 adherents, and he is the pastor to over 600 credentialed ministers throughout the state.
Prior to his current role, Wilson served as lead pastor of Portland Christian Center for 20 years. Under his leadership, the Oregon church grew to a weekly attendance of close to 3,000. During his first 16 years of ministry, Wilson served as a student ministry pastor, worship leader, ministry trainer, and executive associate pastor.
For over 30 years, Wilson has hosted aFriday morning men’s Bible study, with hundreds of unchurched men being impacted by the study and fellowship. Many of these men have become Christ followers and active in local churches.
He is a fourth-generation Assemblies of God pastor, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethany University, and a master’s degree from Northwest University. Wilson is the author of The Last Prophet.
Ordained Female Minister – Melissa J. Alfaro
Melissa J. Alfaro was elected as the executive presbyter representing ordained female ministers in 2023. Prior to that she served as the Ordained Under 40 EP (2017-2023). Alfaro, and her husband, Jay Alfaro, serve as the senior pastors of El Tabernaculo in Houston. She also serves as the Girls Ministries director for the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District, and sits on the National Girls Ministries Task Force Team for the Assemblies of God.
Alfaro has spent over 10 years working in education as a teacher, staff development presenter, motivational speaker, and district middle school English as a Second Language coordinator. In collaboration with public school districts, she has initiated mentoring leadership programs for at-risk teens.
Alfaro holds a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and a master’s degree and doctorate from Texas Woman’s University. A writer and blogger, she is the author of The Day the Princess Cried.
Ordained Minister Under 40 – Mike Santiago
Mike Santiago was elected as the executive presbyter representing ordained under 40 ministers in 2023. He is the pastor of Focus Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mike and his wife, Ashton, are passionate about the local church, and love serving in ministry together. After serving as youth & worship pastors, they felt the call to start a church that was focused on seeing people experience life change through Christ. They stepped out in faith, moving their family of three children from Florida to North Carolina to plant Focus Church. What began with several people in their living room has grown to multiple locations with over 1,200 in attendance. Outreach magazine named Focus Church the second most multiplying church in the country.
Mike is passionate about preaching God’s word, planting more churches as an advocate for the Church Multiplication Network, and helping churches break growth barriers through his resource break200.com. Mike’s ministry background spans across three generations of Assemblies of God ministry, and a legacy continues to be built as his entire family is involved in ministry. He has been featured in Influence Magazine. Mike can be followed on Instagram @mikesantiago.
Ordained African-American Minister – Samuel Huddleston
Samuel Huddleston has served as an executive presbyter representing African-American ministers since 2017. He is the assistant superintendent of the Northern California and Nevada District, where he assists in providing oversight to more than 450 churches. Huddleston also serves as the district men’s director, U.S. Missions director, and chairperson of both the district Teen Challenge and Chi Alpha boards. Prior to his election as the district assistant superintendent, he and his wife, Linda, served as lead pastors for over 11 years, planting a church out of their living room in Benicia, California.
Huddleston is a graduate of Bethany University. He holds a Master of Arts in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Azusa Pacific University, and a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Regent University. Huddleston is the author of Five Years to Life and Grand Slam. His nonprofit work through Children’s Water Foundation has placed 42 wells in remote villages in Ghana, West Africa.
South Central Area – Terry L. Yancey
Terry L. Yancey has served as the South Central area executive presbyter since 2017. Yancey is the district superintendent for the Assemblies of God Kansas Ministry Network where he oversees more than 140 churches with 17,800 adherents. He is pastor to nearly 500 credentialed ministers throughout the state. As superintendent, he is guided by the missional directive to strengthen and establish effective Pentecostal leaders and churches.
Prior to his current role, Yancey served as the Kansas Network district youth director and Christian education director, as well as various pastoral roles. He holds a master’s degree from Southeastern University and a Doctor of Ministry from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel University.
Southeast Area – Rick Ross
Rick Ross was elected as the Southeast Area executive presbyter in August 2019. He
is the superintendent of the North Carolina Assemblies of God, overseeing 275 churches and 700 credentialed ministers.
Prior to this, he served as the assistant superintendent for four years while pastoring Concord First Assembly, a thriving church of 4,000 people with eight satellite campuses during a 13-year tenure as lead pastor. Ross also held pastorates in Middletown, Ohio; Richland, Washington; and Renton, Washington.
Ross has been involved in the ministry of Convoy of Hope for 20 years and has served as the chairman of the National Pastors Commission, most recently as church relations architect. Additionally, he serves as treasurer of the Priority One missions board.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Bible College, a master’s degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry from Bakke University.
Southwest Area – Rich Guerra
Rich Guerra was elected as the Southwest area executive presbyter in August 2021. He has served as superintendent of the SoCal Network Assemblies of God since 2010.
Prior to his current role, Guerra served three years as assistant district superintendent for the SoCal Network. He served as the Senior Pastor of Visalia First Assembly of God for 12 years. Under his leadership, the church saw tremendous growth. Guerra was the senior pastor of Trinity Life Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1990 to 1995. Previously he also held the roles of Singles Pastor at Capital Christian Center in Sacramento and Youth Ministries Director for the SoCal Network.
Guerra champions church planting and moving the SoCal Network forward with Vision 2020, to become healthy churches making an impact on Southern California for the Kingdom.
He holds a bachelor and master's degree from Vanguard University.