Atlantic Union Conference administrators, Pierre E. Omeler, president, left, and Elias F. Zabala, Sr., right, pose with newly-elected administrators for the Bermuda Conference, Kenneth Manders, president, center; W. DeJaun Tull, executive secretary, third from left; Aaron Spencer, interim treasurer, second from right; and Rosemary Tyrrell, superintendent of schools. [Photo: Ricardo Clarke]
On September 25, at the Third Quadrennial Session of the Bermuda Conference, 225 delegates met at the Bermuda Institute Auditorium to elect officers for the quadrennium.
Richard Martin, pastor of the Devonshire church, delivered the devotional message “I’m Choosing to Trust God.” Using Exodus 14:10-17 as his texts, he drew on the children of Israel’s Red Sea experience and God’s protection from Pharaoh’s army. He said God could have led them the fast way, but shortcuts are not always the best because there may be obstacles we are not ready to face.
He encouraged the delegates to develop and operate on “God-givens”: trust in the Lord; cast your cares upon Him; and no weapon formed against you shall prosper.
“God provides impenetrable protection and has invisible options,” he said. “Just because you don’t see something coming doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come and see it.” He invited the delegates to “come and see a God who is worthy of our trust, our hope, and our dependence because His leadership is intentional.”
After the devotion and the official call and seating of delegates, the executive secretary called the third quadrennial session to order.
The delegates then received and voted on reports from the president, executive secretary, treasurer, auditor, and the constitution and bylaws committee’s recommended changes.
Following the report from the nominating committee secretary, delegates reelected Kenneth Manders as president for the third time. As the constitution allows for only three consecutive terms, this will be his last presidential term. In accepting the presidency, Manders thanked the leadership of the union, the conference administrative team, the office staff, and the constituents for giving him another opportunity to serve. “I am your servant,” Manders said.
W. DeJaun Tull was reelected executive secretary, Aaron Spencer, interim treasurer (who plans to retire once a suitable replacement is found), and Rosemary Tyrrell, superintendent of schools. Additionally, the delegates voted for the executive committee and trustee committee members.
Voted departmental directors are:
Adventist Youth Ministries David Steede II Associate director for teens Michael Simmons Associate director for Pathfinders LaGregg Smith Children’s Ministries Valvet Scott Communication Damon Hendrickson Adventist Community Services Dora Baker Family Ministries Richard Martin Men’s Ministries Dwayne Burgess Health Ministries Leonard Gibbons Hispanic Ministries Hector M. Quinones Human Relations/Intercultural W. DeJaun Tull Human Relations Associate/Intercultural Ernestine DeGraff, Loida Ratteray Media Ministries Hector M. Quinones Ministerial W. DeJaun Tull Personal Ministries Kenneth Simons Possibility Ministries Pauline DeShield Prayer Ministries Michelle Hill Prison Ministries Kirk Johnson Publishing Norma Lynn Showers Religious Liberty (PARL) Carlyle C. Simmons Sabbath School Associates Carlyle C. Simmons, Roslyn Francis Stewardship (Interim) W. Aaron Spencer Trust Services (Interim) W. Aaron Spencer Women’s Ministries Michelle Hill
The nominating committee referred to the executive committee to fill the positions of directors for music, retention and reclamation, Sabbath School, and associate director for Adventist Youth Ministries (young adults).
Pierre Omeler, Atlantic Union Conference president and chair of the Bermuda Conference Nominating Committee, presided over the election of officers. Elias Zabala, Atlantic Union Conference treasurer, reviewed the auditor’s report on behalf of Todd Mayer, an auditor from GCAS (General Conference Auditing Service), before calling for the report to be accepted.
