On January 31, the 71st Street congregation in
Sacramento, California, celebrated a landmark moment in their history: confirming Josue Aleman’s and Abraham Frausto’s call to eldership with the laying on of hands and anointing before the congregation.
The anointing by Superintendent Larry Zaragoza and Pastor Daniel Aleman was a moment of solemn worship and joy for the entire church family.
This event reflects the commitment to a biblical model of spiritual leadership in the local congregation. Like many of their sister congregations throughout the Conference, the 71st Street church had voted brethren into elder positions for a given term, much like board members.
Over the last few years, the local church began to notice the service and support Josue and Abraham provided Pastor Daniel in shepherding the congregation. At the 2025 GC Convention in Utah, Elder Whaid Rose’s workshop “Getting Eldership Right” helped the church see that Josue and Abraham had been serving as elders for several years. After convention, the local congregation seriously considered the nature of the call to eldership as one from God by appointment instead of by election.
With much joy, Brothers Aleman and Frausto now step into that calling with a clear purpose: to support Pastor Daniel Aleman in shepherding the 71st Street church — preaching, teaching, providing spiritual direction, anointing and laying hands on the sick.
This moment was a reminder that the Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church, shaping and directing it, returning it to the truth of God’s Word.
— Josue Aleman
