Pierre Steenberg, Director of Human Resources and Personnel
Steenberg knew he wanted to be a pastor since his elementary school days. He was preaching by age 12. Growing up on a campus with an elementary school, an academy and an old folks home in South Africa provided the opportunity to preach.
“Since my freshman year in high school, I have always felt called and knew I wanted to be a pastor,” Steenberg says. “The idea was that I would go to grad school to eventually teach theology.” Never once did he aspire to be a personnel or human resources director. That idea never crossed his mind.
He met his future wife, Karlien Voster, at college. “We were forced to work together on a project, and we just never stopped,” Steenberg shares. They have been married for 19 years and have two sons, Elmer, 14, and Dylan, 12. Steenberg began serving as a pastor in 1992 and was ordained in 1998. He received a bachelor’s from Andrews University. From the University of Pretoria in South Africa, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies, a master’s degree in biblical studies and a Ph.D. in New Testament studies.
“I just love studying. If someone was to pay me to study, I would gladly become a full-time student until I retire,” Steenberg explains. Ten months before completing his Ph.D., he began asking God where and how He wanted to use him. “I told God that I was willing to do anything He wanted me to do and that I would work anywhere in the world, including staying in South Africa.”
Other than his wife, Steenberg didn’t tell anyone about his prayers. In short order, one professor after another after another told him that he should go to the United States. So they went. When the Steenberg family arrived in the U.S., many of the interviews Steenberg had arranged didn’t end up happening. “Basically, God prevented me from being interviewed by the right people in most of the other conferences,” he says. “All except one — Central California Conference.” He also was interviewed by a university and later offered a teaching position, but he just did not feel at peace with that option.
As he and Karlien sat in a vacant pastor’s office while the Hollister, Calif., congregation deliberated, each independently felt a deep peace that they were where God wanted them.That was in 2001.
Linda Barron, Assistant to the Director of Human Resources 
Linda joined the Central California Conference in 2006, shortly after the birth of her daughter Aleya. “I wasn’t looking for work,” she says, “but the Lord called me and I know He wants me here.”
As Administrative Secretary, Linda provides a vital link between the Central California Conference and its nearly 1,700 permanent and temporary employees. She works with hiring, moving, workers compensation, background checks, orientation, health insurance and more, and is also the benefits coordinator for all conference employees, teachers and pastors.
Linda worked as office manager for a law firm in the Lake Tahoe area before coming to the Central California Conference. Her seven years there have made her appreciative of the conference office’s spiritual atmosphere. “I think it’s awesome that we all gather to pray when someone in our office has a problem,” she says. “You don’t see that at other offices.”
Linda is passionate about her daughters, Tiffany and Aleya, and her husband Gary, a pharmacy technician. She enjoys reading, hiking, biking and boating. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:4-7, "May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hears and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus."
Sandra Pasillas, Secretary
Information coming soon!