Q&A Interview with Treasurer Michael Wixwat
The Central California Conference is pleased to announce that, after prayerful consideration, the Executive Committee has called Michael Wixwat to serve as Treasurer. Michael has nearly four decades of treasury experience in the Adventist Church, giving him a clear guiding principle: “Every financial plan should be mission-driven rather than revenue-driven.” His unwavering focus on ministry first—ensuring every budget reflects our commitment to sharing Jesus—is the hallmark of his leadership philosophy.
In the following Q&A interview, you’ll discover how Michael’s faith informs his approach to budgeting, the ways he hopes to strengthen financial transparency and trust, and the compelling testimonies that have shaped his dedication to evangelism. If you’re eager to learn how he plans to equip our churches and schools for stronger outreach, or simply want to meet our newest administrative leader, read on for an in-depth conversation that will inspire and encourage.
Central California Conference: What led you to serve in church financial leadership?
Michael Wixwat: My interest began as a teenager at the Kitchener-Waterloo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ontario, Canada, when a visiting conference treasurer preached the sermon. I was intrigued by how preaching could blend with finance, especially since I already enjoyed my accounting classes at Kingsway College. My parents dedicated me as a child, hoping I would enter the ministry, so combining business and mission felt like a natural path.
After earning a business degree from Andrews University, I discovered that profit-driven jobs didn’t motivate me. I wanted to use my skills for God’s work. When the Alberta Conference offered an internship, I jumped in my car and drove across Canada. That year of practical experience confirmed my passion: serving in treasury to advance the church’s mission and reach people for Christ.
CCC: How has your faith shaped your approach to treasury work?
Michael: My faith gives the numbers genuine meaning. Treasury isn’t just about debits and credits—it’s about reaching people for Jesus. In any financial crisis, I remember this is ultimately God’s work. This brings both peace and perspective. I keep a prayer mat in my office and rely on daily scripture study and prayer for strength, especially when facing tough decisions or presentations. My time in the Middle East and North Africa Union highlighted how crucial faith is in overcoming serious challenges.
CCC: Is there a Bible verse that has guided your career?
Michael: Lamentations 3:22-26, 32-33. These verses have been my anchor. They remind me that God’s mercies are new every morning. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I open my Bible, kneel on my prayer mat, and find comfort that God is guiding me.
CCC: You have nearly 40 years of experience in Adventist treasury. What key lessons have you learned?
Michael: Budgeting is one of a treasurer’s most significant responsibilities—it’s the annual roadmap for mission. However, a budget is only as strong as the assumptions made behind it. We’re not focused on profit, but on expanding God’s kingdom. Every financial plan should be mission-driven rather than revenue-driven.
Windfalls (one-time major gifts) are another key point. They’re best used for special projects rather than staffing, because you can’t rely on them to repeat. In terms of building projects, I follow the biblical principle of “counting the cost” and involve expert committees from the start.
When conference leadership is transparent and mission-focused, members naturally have greater confidence. This trust leads to stronger tithe and overall giving.
CCC: How have your past roles—including in British Columbia, Ohio, Minnesota, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Union—shaped your leadership?
Michael: Serving in these varied regions exposed me to diverse conference cultures—some more lay-driven, others more pastor-driven, and still others more influenced by union-level decision-making. Working under different presidents taught me valuable lessons in stewardship, vision-casting, and effective committee structures.
One standout principle I learned came from a president who defined a conference’s role in three ways:
Creating the Climate—Fostering a culture of mission and growth across all churches and ministries;
Resourcing the Field—Providing leadership, training, financial support, and practical tools to local congregations and schools;
Developing Leaders—Equipping pastors, teachers, and lay leaders to carry out the gospel commission effectively.
I regularly refer back to these three core responsibilities. If a project doesn’t fit under climate, resourcing, or leadership development, it likely isn’t central to our mission.
CCC: What are some financial challenges facing the church today, and how should they be addressed?
Michael: A longstanding concern is whether newer generations will give as faithfully as previous generations. While this appears to be a financial issue, I believe it’s fundamentally a spiritual one. The solution isn’t more fundraising tactics—it’s cultivating deeper faith, stronger mission focus, and intentional discipleship. When members grow spiritually, generosity naturally follows.
Pastors, elders, and Sabbath School teachers all play vital roles in shaping vibrant, giving disciples. This spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident; it requires deliberate leadership and biblical teaching. In wealthy societies, especially places like California and North America, God must break our attachment to material possessions so we can truly love people more than our “stuff.” When that happens, financial struggles diminish as our hearts become aligned with God’s mission.
CCC: You are currently serving as a treasurer and missionary in the MENA region. What has that experience been like?
Michael: It’s been both rewarding and challenging. Unlike North America, where financial discussions often revolve around pastoral coverage and local church issues, the focus in the MENA region is frontline mission. The membership is small, so we invest significant energy in evangelism among varied faith backgrounds.
I was inspired to serve overseas by my father-in-law, who was president of the Southeast Asia Union and several unions in India. As a young couple in Minnesota and Ohio, my wife and I read his aerograms about traveling through Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We thought, We want to experience that, too. Now I help fund frontline projects, watching people from diverse religions discover Christ—a deeply fulfilling journey.
CCC: Can you share a testimony from your time in the mission field?
Michael: A young teenager was attending one of our Adventist schools in Lebanon. She loved the Bible class. The teacher, an Adventist Volunteer Service worker from Peru, noticed her keen interest and offered her It Is Written Bible studies. Although family circumstances initially forced her to transfer schools and pause those studies, God intervened a year later.
She saw a billboard advertising evangelistic meetings featuring Pastor Bradshaw at her former Adventist school. Excited, she attended every session with her mother and brother. In 2019, the entire family embraced the gospel and they were baptized. Her mother now is a Global Mission Pioneer successfully reaching people for Jesus.
Now she attends Middle East University and is majoring in education. She even traveled to Turkey to assist with relief efforts after a devastating earthquake. Seeing her journey—from non-Adventist to a mission-focused young adult—reminds me that God continues to work powerfully in people’s lives, no matter their starting point.
CCC: What excites you most about serving as Treasurer of the Central California Conference?
Michael: One of the first things that stood out to me was the incredible diversity of the membership—something I noticed when I reviewed your constituency report and visited the area. I love meeting new people, and I’m excited to connect with everyone across the conference.
I’ve also heard that Central California Conference members have a strong tradition of prayer—an emphasis I learned years ago before I served overseas. People in this conference are exceptionally generous, investing their time, resources, and energy into spreading the everlasting gospel within the framework of the Three Angels’ Messages. I can’t wait to visit your churches, meet the members, and actively support these initiatives.
CCC: What are your top priorities in this role?
Michael: My first priority is to listen. I need to understand the unique dynamics of the Central California Conference—its churches, schools, members, demographics, and communities. That means meeting with stakeholders such as pastors, educators, students, and conference leadership, because there’s a lot I have yet to learn.
Once I have a clearer picture, I want to align the conference’s budget and finances with its mission and vision, ensuring that every financial decision supports our frontline church and school ministries. I also believe we must be innovative in sharing the gospel. While we should continue practices that work, we should also try new approaches, reflecting the pioneering spirit of early Adventist leaders.
Building trust is equally important. Transparency in treasury and consistent communication help members feel confident in how resources are managed. Finally, I’m committed to emphasizing frontline ministry. It’s easy for administrative structures to grow, but the real mission happens in local churches and schools. By investing directly in those settings, we have the greatest impact for God’s kingdom.
CCC: How do you see treasury work as part of the church’s mission?
Michael: In one conference where I served, our core statement was “serving churches and schools to advance the gospel.” That principle shaped every department’s priorities and responsibilities. We had to show clearly how our tasks, including treasury functions, supported churches and schools in fulfilling the Great Commission.
A passage that inspires me comes from Ex. 31:1-5, where God appoints artisans—not just priests—and fills them with the Holy Spirit to design and craft the sanctuary furnishings. This teaches me that God calls people with diverse skills—whether artistic or financial—to participate in His work.
He empowers treasury teams with accuracy, integrity, and wisdom so they steward resources responsibly. Good financial management directly impacts the church’s mission. It ensures that churches, schools, and outreach initiatives receive the support they need to share the gospel.
CCC: Have you experienced a moment when you saw God’s direct intervention in finances?
Michael: Yes, and it unfolded in Lebanon amid multiple crises. Beginning in October 2019, nationwide protests, bank closures, and tight restrictions on withdrawals created a severe financial crisis. By 2020, COVID-19 added another layer of instability. In August of that same year, a massive explosion at the Beirut port devastated large parts of the city. Political tension persisted, with ongoing conflicts at the southern border, and hyperinflation ultimately caused the Lebanese lira to lose 98 percent of its value.
In spite of all this, every Adventist employee in Lebanon—whether working at the church, university, or other schools—continued to receive monthly paychecks. Institutions remained operational, and mission activities never stopped. We often quote Eph. 3:20 in gratitude: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”
This was only possible through the generosity of the worldwide Adventist family. The General Conference maintained regular subsidies, while special donations arrived after the port explosion. Other divisions, local missions, and individual members also contributed sacrificially. Churches as far away as Brazil and Scotland supported humanitarian outreach, such as distributing grocery bags to families in need.
Ultimately, the global unity of Adventist believers and God’s remarkable provision upheld our workers and ministries through unprecedented hardships. This is an undeniable testimony to His direct intervention.
CCC: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Michael: Hiking is a favorite pastime, especially reaching a summit and taking in the panoramic view. I also love cross-country skiing. It’s a Christmas tradition when visiting family in British Columbia. Travel broadens my perspective, and I’m an avid reader of both contemporary and classic spiritual books. Though I used to play more sports, these days I’m happiest exploring nature through hiking and walking.
CCC: How can church members support and pray for you as you begin this new role?
Michael: I suggest two specific prayers:
A Prayer for Me: Based on Micah 6:8, please pray that I “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” Stepping into a new conference and culture means constant learning. I want to remain teachable and humble.
A Prayer for the Conference: I love the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chron. 4:10). I invite members to claim it for the Central California Conference: “Oh, that You would bless us, enlarge our territory, and keep us from evil, that we may not cause pain.”
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May God bless our schools, churches, and members, expanding our impact for His kingdom. We look forward to welcoming Michael Wixwat to the Central California Conference on May 16, 2025. Please keep him, his family, and our entire conference in your prayers as we partner together to advance God’s work.
Written by Justin Kim
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