Called to Serve: A Journey of Faith, Family, and Financial Leadership
By Laurie Trujillo
Some careers are built on opportunity. Others are shaped by calling. For Jaymes Cheney, it has been both. On May 7, the Conference Executive Committee elected Cheney as the next Northern California Conference Treasurer.
Born in Portland, Oregon, at what is now Adventist Health Portland, Jaymes grew up in Ridgefield, Washington. His parents modeled lifelong service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church鈥攈is mother, Carla, was a middle school teacher for 34 years at Meadow Glade Elementary School in Battle Ground, and his father, Leon, worked his entire career in plant services at Adventist Health Portland.
Jaymes married Brittany (Collins) Cheney, an attorney. Her parents, John and Rosemary Collins, served in education at Modesto Adventist Academy, Rio Lindo Academy, and Pacific Union College. Today, their children, William and Hannah, continue the family legacy at Sacramento Adventist Academy.
Northern California holds a special place in Cheney鈥檚 heart. His grandparents, Dr. Erwin and Wilda Walla, lived in Napa, where his mother and aunts were raised. He has fond memories of family road trips to visit them, summer days, holidays, and even attending his first baseball game in Oakland with his grandfather. These connections influenced his decision to attend Pacific Union College, where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration and met Brittany.
After graduating from PUC, Jaymes joined Adventist Health in Roseville. Over the past 19 years, he has served in various financial leadership roles across Northern California, including at Adventist Health Feather River and St. Helena. He earned his CPA license and completed an MBA at UC Davis in 2015. Most recently, he helped lead system-wide accounting from the corporate office in Roseville.
Jaymes began sensing God鈥檚 call toward church service. That call became clearer as he has served on the Sacramento Adventist Academy Board and as an elder and deacon at Carmichael Church. He prayerfully stepped forward when he learned of John Rasmussen鈥檚 retirement from the Northern California Conference.
鈥淭his role brings together my passion for leadership, finance, education, and mission,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tewardship is not just accounting鈥攊t鈥檚 ministry in action. Churches, schools, and ministries are only as strong as the people who invest in them,鈥� he said. 鈥淟eadership is about trust and stewarding what God has placed in our hands鈥攔esources, relationships, and responsibilities.鈥�
As a CPA and financial professional, Jaymes understands that numbers tell a story. Beyond balance sheets are stories of students, families, and church members whose lives are touched by ministry. That excites him鈥攂uilding financial clarity so leaders can focus on their mission. His philosophy is simple: everything belongs to God. Tithes, offerings, and talents are sacred. 鈥淲hen resources are managed wisely, God multiplies. When we give freely, God blesses us with abundance. And when we lead with integrity, God is honored.鈥�
One of his favorite Bible verses, which took on special meaning for his family, is Philippians 4:6-7, 鈥淒o not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.鈥�
When he starts on June 30, Cheney is eager to visit 91大神 churches and schools, listen to their stories, and build strong relationships. 鈥淣orthern California is home,鈥� he said. We鈥檝e planted roots here, and I look forward to serving alongside our communities as we connect people to an abundant life in Jesus and prepare for His soon return.”
Featured in Northern Lights, May 12, 2025
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