On November 17, 2021, the Atlantic Union Conference Executive Committee elected Pierre Omeler to serve as the new president of the Atlantic Union Conference, effective immediately. The vote comes as a result of outgoing president G. Earl Knight’s decision to retire after 44 years of ministry.
Before the November 17 vote, Omeler served as executive secretary of the Atlantic Union, a position to which he was elected during the 2016 union constituency session. His previous experience in the church includes serving as the Atlantic Union Conference Haitian Ministries vice president (2011-2016); president of the North American Division (NAD) Haitian Caucus and director of NAD Haitian Ministries (2012-2016), Northeastern Conference departmental director (2008-2011), and he served in the Northeastern Conference as an associate pastor (1986-1989) and a senior pastor (1991-2011).
Omeler graduated from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with a minor in biblical languages. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University and his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. He has published three books and many articles. He is also a Certified Seniors Advisor (CSA).
“I want to thank the constituents of the Atlantic Union for the opportunity to serve as president of this great Atlantic Union. As we take up this responsibility, we seek your prayers, God’s Spirit, and wisdom,” Omeler said.
Knight’s 44 years of ministry in the Adventist church include serving as a pastor, evangelist, conference executive secretary, conference president, union president, and mentor. Most recently he served as the 20th president of the Atlantic Union Conference, a position to which he was elected in June 2016 during the union constituency session.
“Thank you to Dr. G. Earl Knight for 44 years of ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We wish him God’s best in retirement,” said Omeler.
The position of executive secretary will be filled at a later date.
The Atlantic Union Conference, headquarters for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the northeast United States, covers the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and the islands of Bermuda. The newly-elected president, his administrative team, directors, and staff oversees the work of six conferences: Bermuda, Greater New York, New York, Northeastern, Northern New England, and Southern New England. The membership of the Atlantic Union currently stands at 128,595 and the territory includes 602 churches, 95 groups, 51 schools, and numerous community-based ministries (Atlantic Union Conference Third Quarter 2021 Secretary’s Statistical Report).
Keep the good works!
May the Lord bless and guide our new President.