KINGSTON, Jamaica — The East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists formally installed and consecrated its newly elected administrators and ministry leaders during a solemn service held on Sabbath, September 5, 2026, at the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Approximately 700 people sang joyfully, read from Scripture, and prayed earnestly, including Administrators and other leaders of the Jamaica Union Conference, presidents of Jamaica’s four other local conferences, pastors from East Jamaica Conference and other fields, members representing the Conference’s four zones, relatives, friends and well-wishers.
At the centre of the service was the installation of East Jamaica Conference’s three administrators: Pastor Dr. Melvin Francis, president; Pastor Adrian Johnson, executive secretary; and Elder Michael Porteous, treasurer. They were formally installed and consecrated alongside the elected departmental directors, zone leaders and members of the Conference Executive Committee, all of whom will serve the mission of Christ in eastern Jamaica over the next four years.
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“Unto Him!”
Guest speaker and Jamaica Union Conference President Pastor Glen O. Samuels delivered a stirring charge rooted in Ephesians 3:20, reminding the incoming leaders and congregation that the success of the Church’s mission ultimately, and totally depends upon God.
Pastor Samuels emphasized that careful planning, accountability, prudent administration and human effort all have their place. However, after the plans have been prepared, the necessary checks and balances established, and people have done everything within their ability, the work of God must not be constrained by human limitations.
Hitting the theme of “unto Him!” with escalating power, Pastor Samuels declared that the Church must look not to itself, but “unto Him”—the God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that His people can ask or imagine.
The message established the spiritual foundation for the installation: while leaders are entrusted with responsibility, the power required to fulfil the mission comes from God.
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Leaders Pledge Faithful Service
The sacred responsibilities of leadership were underscored through a solemn litany led by Pastor Samuels. The newly elected leaders were presented to the congregation - the three administrators standing on the platform, while directors, zonal leaders, and the members of the executive committee participated from the floor, and as those called to guide, inspire and prepare the Conference for ministry during the new quadrennium, they pledged to provide careful oversight of the Conference’s business so that the work would grow, to dedicate themselves to quality service, and disciple-making, and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and administer the organisation in harmony with Church policies and the Conference’s voted strategic plans.
All together, the Administrators, Directors, Zone leaders, and Executive Committee members declared: “By the grace of God, we will.”
In charging the new president, Pastor Samuels appealed to him to shepherd God’s people willingly and mercifully, serving as a faithful overseer while awaiting the appearance of Christ, the Chief Shepherd - to which Pastor Francis responded by expressing his desire to help the constituency exalt Jesus Christ and grow together in unity.
The congregation too, were called to accept its part in the mission, pledging to present the living Christ through the lives and ministries of the ordinary member.
The litany concluded with a blessing upon the leaders: “May the strength of God guide you. May the power of God preserve you. May the wisdom of God instruct you. May the hand of God protect you. May the way of God direct you. May the shield of God defend you.”
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A SOARing Vision
In his presidential response, Pastor Francis acknowledged God as the One who appoints leaders and expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him. Describing his desired posture as that of a “bondservant” of Christ, he thanked the members and workers of the Conference for their service - including former president Pastor Dr. Meric Walker, and Sister Monica Walker, his wife, and the departmental directors and Executive Committee members who served during the previous administration.
Looking to the future, Dr. Francis said the new quadrennium would begin with praise, thanksgiving and “eyes fixed on Jesus.” Connecting the Conference’s mission with OneVoice27, he called the constituency to greater urgency, unity and action in sharing the gospel, especially in the cities. Drawing on the image of a majestic bird in flight, he invited the Conference to S.O.A.R - that is: render Service to God and His People, Own Our Adventist Identity, Anticipate the Advent, and Reap the Lord’s Harvest.
Among the administration’s priorities, in Service to God and His people, is the development of the Phillipsfield Oasis and Adventure Park on more than 350 acres of land in St. Thomas, providing a dedicated location for youth programmes, including Summer and Easter camps. The administration also intends to address incomplete church buildings through the responsible use of members’ contributions, plant new congregations, expand the Church’s presence throughout the territory - including through the resurrected Online Church, and encourage churches to use underutilised spaces as centres of influence during the week.
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The vision also calls members to take Ownership of their Adventist identity—not merely in name, but in public lifestyle, worship, faith, practice and doctrine. Dr. Francis reaffirmed the Church’s prophetic message and its teachings concerning the Sabbath, the heavenly sanctuary, the Spirit of Prophecy, the state of the dead, stewardship and the Second Advent, all the while urging congregations to keep these doctrines at the forefront and preserve our identity in our preaching, teaching and ministries. This, he declared, demands a restoration of the importance of Bible Class, strengthening Adventist Youth ministries and AY services, revitalising Sabbath School classes as action units, using Personal Ministries time to mobilise members for mission, and maintaining a distinctly Seventh-day Adventist Christian character within the Church’s educational system.
Anticipating the Advent, Dr. Francis continued, must restore the urgency with which early Adventists awaited the return of Jesus Christ. He warned against becoming more at home in the world than in the Kingdom to come, being distracted by materialism, secularism, consumerism, professionalism, and especially institutionalism. Instead, he invited every member to live each day with their eyes fixed on Christ, remembering that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven.
The final component of the S.O.A.R vision—reaping the Lord’s harvest—places evangelism and disciple-making at the centre of Conference life. “The Church was organised for mission,” Dr. Francis declared, inviting every pastor, worker, leader and member to unite in preparing the soil, planting the seed, cultivating growth, reaping the harvest, and discipling believers. This will require excellence at every level of the organisation, along with a revival of “primitive godliness” and a Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit for soul-winning.
Dr. Francis also urged congregations to respond to the mental-health and loneliness crises by being the Church’s message of hope - not just preaching it. Calling the constituency out of its comfort zone, he reminded members that every true believer is a missionary in God’s kingdom and declared that the time has come for the East Jamaica Conference to “launch out into the deep.” When members place their skills, professions, education, expertise, possessions and talents in God’s hands, he said, ordinary efforts can produce extraordinary results.
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Consecrated for Mission
The installation and consecration service marked a shared commitment by administrators, directors, executive committee members, pastors and the wider constituency to serve faithfully and advance the mission of the Church in the East Jamaica Conference.
As the Conference enters the next four years, its leaders have committed themselves to spiritual revival, responsible administration, youth development, institutional growth, Adventist identity, community service and comprehensive evangelism - to SOAR.
The challenge throughout the service was clear: human beings must plan carefully, serve diligently and give their best—but they must never allow human limitations to define what God’s work can accomplish. The Conference therefore begins the new quadrennium looking beyond itself and, in the words that rang through the service, looking “unto Him” who alone provides the power for mission and success.