Joined Potomac as a pastor in 2014 and was named Vice President for Administration in the summer of 2019. He previously served as a pastor in both the Central California and Indiana conferences. While in Indiana, he also served as the conference’s director for community services.
Before taking on the duties of full-time ministry, Vazquez worked in the business sector for the vice president for a manufacturing company. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he also served as the director of an ESL program for the Wawasee School Corporation (Ind.). Vazquez graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Oakwood (College) University (Ala.), and earned a Masters of Divinity from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (Mich.).
Brother Hank Branch, is an author of over 10 Bible Studies, is compassionated and feels blessed that God has order his steps in so many ways to serve Him. He has served as a Sabbath school teacher, Personal Ministry leader, Senior leader, and for over a decade a Bible worker in prison ministry. Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Trust in the calling of the Lord, let God lead and you follow, allow the Holy Spirit to direct your path and He will place your feet on solid ground. The harvest in rich and full, let us come together as servants of the Lord, co-labors in the fields of our prisons and jails. Cry unto the Lord and God always answers.
He preaches and provides orientation as to what is Prison Ministry and its need in our community. In 2003 to current Mr. Escalera has earned his Chaplaincy status in International Alliance Chaplaincy and Law Enforcement and C.A.R.Y. University of California, and has dedicated time to giving bible studies, provided advice to adults and youth in different correctional facilities or institutions, and keep working with the Hispanic Community.
Jesus has found a place for Blanca Ventura where she can share the Good News of Salvation to those with no freedom. She has been serving as a Bible study instructor in Alexandria City in both Adult and Juvenile Detention Centers. Her best experience while in service, was not visiting an inmate but to visit Jesus, as the Bible says in Mathew 25:36. This experience has helped sister Blanca to grow in faith, also knowing Jesus better. Now she is serving as the Secretary of PCPM and is a current member of Woodbridge Spanish SDA Church in Woodbridge, VA.
Manage or oversee the management of the financial affairs of Potomac Conference Prison Ministry, reconciling bank statements, and managing cash flow, distribution of rembursents funds, check signing authority, expense reimbursement, credit card usage, and other financial matters.
The Treasurer may be responsible for preparing, or facilitating the preparation of an annual budget, as well as regularly monitoring and comparing the actual revenues and expenses incurred against such a budget.
Overseas the Potomac Conference letter writing program. Plans, coordinates and ensures all letter writers are trained and are following the guidelines. Assists in scheduling and providing training and maintains a current list qualified of trainers and everyone who is participating in the letter writing program.
God’s ordained series of experiences for Brother Ryland Holmes formed in him a passion for those sincerely looking for the second chance provided by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as well as those that are the forgotten members of our society. This dual passion God has fulfilled by allowing him to serve as both the Re-Entry and Family Ministries’ director in the Potomac Conference Prison Ministry organization.
Brother Holmes also serves locally as Elder at the Meadowbridge SDA church in Mechanicsville Virginia.
Overseas the Potomac Conference letter writing program. Plans, coordinates and ensures all letter writers are trained and are following the guidelines. Assists in scheduling and providing training and maintains a current list qualified of trainers and everyone who is participating in the letter writing program.
