Jadiel Alfonso
Pedro Pablo Osorio
Daniel Valle
A joint session of the Florida Conference Executive Committee and the most recent Nominating Committee met on Sunday, October 12, 2025, and elected Orlando Lopez as the 25th president for Florida Conference.
This election followed the appointment of Allan Machado as executive secretary for the Southern Union Conference in September. Machado served faithfully as Florida Conference president from 2018 to 2025.
Lopez, a lifelong product of Adventist education, attended Tampa Junior Academy, Greater Miami Academy, Southern Adventist University, and Andrews University, earning a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at the latter.
He began his ministry in Miami, and later served districts in Sebring/Wauchula and Brandon/Plant City. He went on to serve as associate pastor at Apopka and Spring Meadows churches — both growing congregations in the Orlando area — before being appointed senior pastor at Spring Meadows, succeeding Frank Ottati. During that time, Lopez was mentored by Ottati and Bob Boggess, whose influence he credits with deeply shaping his ministry.
Growing up in a pastor’s home helped prepare Lopez for a life of ministry. His parents, Orlando Lopez Sr. and Fe (“Faith”) Lopez, have served the Church for many years, including more than 40 years in Florida Conference.
In 2018, Lopez was called to serve as vice president for pastoral ministries. In that role, he supported pastors and churches through leadership development, pastoral assignments, conflict resolution, and evangelistic initiatives.
Together with Machado, Lopez helped establish the Florida Conference Lay Institute for Evangelism (FCLIFE), which equips lay leaders and pastors for evangelism and coordinates annual Conference-wide evangelistic efforts.
Lopez is joined in ministry by his wife of 22 years, Monica Lopez, a nurse practitioner. They are proud parents of two sons, Orlando and Isaac, both students at Southern Adventist University.
Known for his warmth and contagious joy, Lopez is admired by his colleagues. As one pastor noted during the selection process, “he has never met a stranger.” His passion centers on family, the health of the Church, and advancing its mission.
The nominating process, per the Florida Conference Constitution and Bylaws, was chaired by Ron C. Smith, D.Min., Ph.D., Southern Union Conference president, and was described as open, spiritual, and transparent. After prayerful deliberation, Lopez was selected to lead Florida Conference, which now celebrates a membership of 75,000.
Members across Florida are invited to unite in prayer for Lopez, Monica, and their family as they begin this new chapter of ministry.
Florida Conference | December 2025
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