This summer, the Southern California Conference (SCC) Human Resources (HR) Department welcomed a familiar face into a new role. Belinda Simoni, with 24 years of corporate human resources management experience prior to her roles as SCC HR generalist and assistant director, brings her deep faith and passion for people to her new position as HR director.

Before her career in HR, Simoni thought she was going to be a child psychologist. Although God redirected that path, she knew He placed in her a heart for service. Moving from corporate HR to HR in a ministry context was an act of faith that God prepared her for all along.

“He seemed to have opened these doors that I never intended to walk in—ever,” Simoni said. “Each one led to the next step on my journey.”

After the unexpected loss of her father, Simoni leaned heavily on God. During this time, she realized it was possible to have a close, personal relationship with God. Simoni recalled praying, “Lord, I don’t know how I’m going to get through this because we were so close, but I need You.” She recounted that, “All of a sudden, I could hear the Holy Spirit so clearly, and I started seeking Him truly with all my heart and soul.” Through prayer, Bible study, and prayer and fasting, her relationship with God grew.

“I started hearing God so clearly,” she said. “One day I heard the Lord say, ‘and now you’re going to work for me.’”

Simoni didn’t know what that meant, but months later, Paulo Oliveira, pastor of Northridge church when she started reattending, asked Simoni for her résumé because there was an open position for an HR generalist at the conference office. Though on the outside it looked like a step backward in her career, God’s plans were greater.

“I knew I wanted to work for the Lord,” Simoni said, “and I knew He was calling me. Wherever you want me, I will go.”

When this position became available after the previous director’s retirement, Simoni wasn’t sure about applying at first. God placed it on her heart to read the book of Joshua, and as she read about God guiding the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua, it became clear this is where God was leading her. This promotion comes years after Simoni had already worked in the other two positions in the department, perfectly positioning her to manage it.

Simoni’s love for people and seeing them thrive is what drew her to HR. In this new role, she wants to focus on training and development to equip pastors, teachers, and staff to confidently do the work God has called them to and to strategically align HR initiatives to SCC’s mission of cultivating healthy churches and schools.

“I look at my position as a ministry,” Simoni said. “With compassion and respect, I look forward to serving God’s people.”