Justin Ringstaff graduated from Southern Adventist University and Andrews Theological Seminary. In 2006 he accepted a call to the Michigan Conference pastoring several churches, serving as district superintendent, and as associate ministerial director before accepting the call to serve as executive secretary. He and his wife, Chelli, met at Southern, were married in the summer of 1998, and love sharing their lives together in the Lord’s work. They have three children–Elijah, Enoch, and Emma. 

The Michigan Conference Lay Advisory consists of one representative from each church, chosen by the local congregation. His or her function is to keep the church informed about various conference programs and projects and to solicit the help of the congregation as needed.

At the Annual Lay Advisory meeting the local representatives review various conference programs and projects, and they lay plans for the coming year. During the year a smaller group, the Lay Advisory Coordinating Committee, meets on a quarterly basis to listen to reports and to make decisions regarding requests for funds, etc.

The monthly Michigan Advance Partners (MAP) offering provides funds for various projects the Advisory supports such as assistance with church and school building projects, certain types of special church projects, mission outreach within Michigan, and a variety of other requests.

Missionaries for Michigan is a special Lay Advisory program that focuses on training and equipping lay members and pastors to raise up new churches in Michigan in areas where there is presently no active church.