Meet our team

Pastor Eric A. Holness was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area in a God-fearing home. Growing up in church, he was active in music ministry, community service, and sports. At the age of 9, Eric began his preaching, and has been sharing the gospel across ever since. He is a graduate of Oakwood University, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Vanderbilt University, earning his Master of Divinity.  Additionally, Eric is a registered trauma nurse in the emergency department and the founder of the nonprofit organization Wholeness Ministries International. He has served as a pastor in the Northern California Conference since the Fall of 2024. He truly believes that “with God nothing shall be impossible,” (St. Luke 1:37) and strives to live his life accordingly. Most importantly, Eric really loves Jesus and is most passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with as many people as possible.

Ryan Peterson was born in Panama City Florida. Growing up revolved around sports and he dreamed of one day playing professionally. He played in the LLWS and won multiple state championships. He then moved to California with his family when his mom took a job with their Indian tribe. He quickly became a standout football and baseball player in his town. However, he began digressing and sports no longer was his everything. He was ultimately expelled and banned from attending any public high school in the state of California. After years of drug abuse, deadly addictions, jail time, and brushes with death Ryan had an encounter that would forever change his life. One fateful weekend God opened Ryan’s eyes to see demonic spirits responsible for the oppression and bondage he had been under since an adolescent. This resulted in Ryan being admitted into a psychiatric hospital. From that day forward Ryan knew that if these entities were real, Jesus was real! Upon returning home he entered rehab and discovered a church that shared parking lots with the rehab. It was there where he encountered Jesus Christ and Seventh-day Adventism. On his last day while in rehab Ryan was baptized into the faith. He has since received two A.A. Degrees, a bachelors degree in religion/biblical studies at Pacific Union College and a masters degree in International Development with an emphasis in Spiritual Resilience at Andrews University. He is currently serving as a pastor at Beacon Light in Richmond. His life mission is to free those in the same captivity he was through preaching and teaching complete forgiveness, complete righteousness, and most importantly the love of God.

Moises Ramirez is the Area Director for Today’s Youth Matter, where he leads programs that empower and mentor urban youth in the Bay Area. Rooted in his faith and community at Beacon Light Seventh-day Adventist Church in Richmond, CA, Moises brings both lived experience and compassion to his work. He and his wife, Nephthali, are the proud parents of two young sons, Mateo and Noah.