Mr. Seiglie was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States when he was 7 years old. After living in Miami, Florida, for seven years, his family moved to Murphy, North Carolina. He is a staff writer for Vertical Thought and also contributes regularly to The Good News, World News and Prophecy and The Ministerial Newsletter and Journal. He and his wife, Caty, have four grown daughters, a grandson and another on the way.

Mr. Seiglie found out about the Church when he was 17 from a Church member in high school. He attended the Chattanooga, Tennessee, congregation, and was baptized at the age of 18. Shortly afterwards, he went to Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, and in Pasadena, California, graduating with degrees in theology and Spanish.

He has pastored the Garden Grove, California, and Hawaiian congregations for the past eight years. Mr. Seiglie is also the Hawaii Feast coordinator. He also has served in Latin America for 23 years as a pastor and for the last years as subregional administrator for Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Herbert Armstrong had the greatest influence in Mr. Seiglie’s life through his Bible teachings and example. Another great influence was Mr. Seiglie’s father, who was a freedom fighter against Fidel Castro. He was captured in Havana for being one of the coordinators of the Bay of Pigs invasion. Miraculously, he managed to escape to the United States after many harrowing experiences. “He was a dedicated physician whose priority was not becoming rich but truly caring for the sick… He was a great example of honesty and courage,” reflected Mr. Seiglie.

Additionally, Mr. Seiglie also places the apostle Paul as a great influence in his life. Learning how Paul tenderly and lovingly—but not weakly—had to deal with all the problems in the different churches changed his approach to pastoring and living.

Mr. Seiglie assumed his responsibilities on the Council on July 1. “The challenges I envision in my new position are, first of all, to be a servant leader to the entire Church, for Christ gave us the ultimate example. I need to look to God for strength and wisdom and not depend on my own limited abilities. If I truly yield to God, He can then fully use me,” said Mr. Seigle.

“We are in the best of hands, although those He chooses are only imperfect servants. Pray for us every day that God will guide us to clearly see His will and to give us the strength and the courage to carry it out so we can truly have unity of mind and heart.”