President's Report

Introduction: Eighty Years of God’s Faithfulness

Eighty years ago, a small band of believers, united in conviction and strengthened by prayer, dared to believe that God could do something extraordinary in the northeastern United States. With little in their hands but faith in their hearts, they planted the seeds of what would become the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Those pioneers could scarcely have imagined that their sacrifices would grow into a thriving family of more than sixty-five thousand believers, spread across six states, representing a tapestry of cultures, languages, and backgrounds.

Today, we stand on their shoulders. Every sanctuary raised, every school established, every camp program held, and every life surrendered to Christ is a testament to God’s faithfulness and their vision. The past gives us testimony, the present places responsibility in our hands, and the future calls us forward into new opportunities. With deep gratitude to God, and with humility before you, the constituents of this great Conference, I present the report of the President for the 2021–2024 Quadrennial period.

Leadership Transitions and Teamwork

The story of this quadrennium is one of both continuity and transition. In 2021, the constituency placed its trust in Dr. Abraham J. Jules as President, myself as Executive Secretary, and Pastor Robert Chandler as Chief Financial Officer. Together, we committed to leading with clarity of vision, sound governance, and a heart for service.

In 2023, Pastor Chandler was called to the Columbia Union, where his gifts in stewardship could bless a broader field. God quickly provided, and we welcomed Dr. Brian McDonald as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. His expertise, integrity, and commitment to principled stewardship brought renewed confidence and focus to the management of Conference resources.

In June 2024, when Dr. Jules was elected President of the Atlantic Union, the Northeastern Conference once again stood at a crossroads. With prayerful discernment, the Executive Committee and constituency called me to serve as President, joined by Dr. Nicardo Delahaye as Executive Secretary and Dr. Keith Albury as Associate Executive Secretary. I thank God for the caliber of leadership represented on this team and for the steady hands of our departmental directors and staff who carry forward the mission of the church. Our collective labor is but one strand in the great tapestry of God’s work in this Conference.

Honoring the Legacy of Former Presidents

During this quadrennium, the Northeastern Conference bid farewell to two of its distinguished leaders who have fallen asleep in Jesus: Dr. Daniel Honoré and Pastor Trevor H. C. Baker. Both men served this Conference with distinction, leaving indelible marks on its history.

Dr. Daniel Honoré, who served as President from 2012 to 2020, was a visionary leader whose administrative acumen, pastoral heart, and commitment to excellence elevated the Conference to new heights. In recognition of his life and legacy, the annex at the Conference headquarters was named in his honor, ensuring that future generations will remember his leadership and devotion to God’s work.

Pastor Trevor H. C. Baker, who guided the Conference with courage and conviction from 2002 to 2012, was known for his passion for evangelism, his fearless preaching, and his deep love for people. In 2022, the pavilion at Camp Victory Lake was renamed the Trevor H. C. Baker Youth Center, a fitting tribute to his enduring commitment to youth and evangelism.

We give thanks for these men of God, who carried the mantle of leadership with dignity and faith. Though they now rest, their influence continues to inspire us, and we await with hope the day when the trumpet will sound, and they will rise to meet the Lord.

Spiritual Renewal and Prayer

We have sought to keep the spiritual life of this Conference at the center of every decision and initiative. At the headquarters in Jamaica, New York, we established the rhythm of daily noontime worship. Work pauses, staff and leaders gather, and prayers ascend for our churches, schools, pastors, and members. This spiritual discipline has become a wellspring of encouragement.

Beyond headquarters, we called the field to corporate fasting and prayer each quarter. These gatherings, often livestreamed, became moments of spiritual revival, uniting thousands of members across our territory. Stories abound of answered prayers: broken relationships healed, physical ailments restored, churches infused with new spiritual vitality. We are reminded that the true power of this Conference lies not in its budgets or buildings, but in its connection to the living God.

Evangelism: “Each One, Reach One”

Evangelism has remained the lifeblood of our work.

• 2022: Fourteen regional campaigns ignited communities with the gospel, resulting in more than 3,000 baptisms.
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• 2023: Nineteen campaigns saw over 4,000 souls surrender to Christ. Membership climbed to 63,484.
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• 2024: Despite social and economic challenges, over 2,000 new believers joined the church family.
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• 2025: Pentecost 2025 mobilized our entire field. More than 200 campaigns were registered, signaling a movement of laypersons, pastors, and departments united in mission. Membership is now projected to surpass 66,000.

Behind these numbers are individual lives transformed: a young woman in Springfield who laid aside despair for the joy of Christ, a family in Bridgeport reconciled after years of separation, a retiree in Boston who found new purpose in baptism at age 79. These stories remind us that evangelism is not about statistics but about salvation. In addition, the Conference Evangelism Committee produced a comprehensive evangelism manual that will guide pastors and laity alike in implementing sustainable, Spirit-led evangelism strategies for years to come.

Christian Education

Our schools are vital centers of salvation. They nurture children, inspire excellence, and pass on the faith from one generation to the next. Yet early in this quadrennium, it became evident that our educational system faced unsustainable financial strain. After careful study and prayer, the Executive Committee voted to restructure governance, bringing the schools under the direct supervision of the Conference Education Department.

This restructuring has created alignment, accountability, and sustainability. It has not been without difficulty, but we are grateful that the doors of our schools remain open and that our teachers continue to minister to young minds. In classrooms from Queens to Springfield, children are learning math and science, but they are also learning to pray, to serve, and to hope in the blessed return of Christ.

Youth and Young Adults: Redemption, Retention, and Reclamation

We have emphasized three priorities for youth and young adults: redemption, retention, and reclamation.

• Redemption: Hundreds of young people made first-time decisions for Christ through summer camps, youth-led evangelistic campaigns, and prayer vigils. In 2023, 19 campers and counselors were baptized at Camp Victory Lake, setting a record in our history.
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• Retention: Thousands engaged in Pathfinder and Adventurer ministries, Bible Bowl, leadership conventions, and youth congresses. These ministries not only keep youth engaged but equip them as leaders of today, not just tomorrow.
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• Reclamation: Through compassion initiatives, mission trips, and innovative partnerships—including the distribution of over 500,000 sneakers donated by major retailers—our youth have taken their place as missionaries to their communities.

The youth of Northeastern are not standing idle; they are on fire for God. Their voices, creativity, and energy are central to our mission.

Leadership Development and Training

We have invested in equipping leaders at every level.

• Pastors: Ongoing training in pulpit excellence, pastoral care, and community engagement has raised the bar in ministerial practice. The Chaplaincy Department, under the leadership of Dr. Joshua Deonarine, has opened new doors for specialized ministry.
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• Lay Leaders: Training in discipleship, health ministries, personal evangelism, and family ministries has empowered members to serve more effectively.
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• Language Ministries: Our diversity is our strength. Franco-Haitian, Hispanic, and Portuguese ministries have flourished, contributing more than $52 million in tithe during the past quadrennium. We pause to honor Pastor Héctor Ramos, who retires after 42 years of outstanding leadership in Hispanic Ministries.
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• Women’s Ministries: Under Dr. Donnette Blake, women have not only been nurtured but mobilized for service. In 2024, the first women-led evangelistic series at Mamre Church in Brooklyn bore powerful fruit, demonstrating that the Spirit equips women and men alike for ministry.

Stewardship and Financial Strength

The financial health of the Northeastern Conference stands today as one of the clearest signs of God’s favor and the faithfulness of His people. Throughout this quadrennium, our members have demonstrated remarkable fidelity in returning a faithful tithe and supporting the mission of the church through their generous offerings. Year after year, we have recorded increases in tithe, culminating in the highest tithe totals in the history of the Conference.

Partnering with careful, watchful, and disciplined stewardship under the guidance of our financial officers, we have placed the Northeastern Conference in its strongest financial position since its founding. With strategic planning, accountability, and prudent financial management, we have been able not only to sustain operations and expand ministry but also to secure the future stability of this institution.

For the first time in our eighty-year history, we can boldly and truthfully declare that the Northeastern Conference is operating with no long-term debt. This achievement is more than a financial milestone; it is a spiritual testimony. It represents the collective faithfulness of tens of thousands of believers and the determination of leadership to steward God’s resources with transparency and integrity.

We give glory to God for this achievement, and we honor every member whose sacrificial giving has made this possible. Truly, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).

Innovation and Bold Initiatives

The quadrennium has also been marked by bold, forward-looking initiatives.

• Media Center: A state-of-the-art media center is nearing completion. This facility will allow the Conference to expand its digital footprint through livestreaming, podcasts, webinars, and evangelistic content. In an era where digital platforms are the new mission fields, this investment is essential.
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• Camp Victory Lake: In 2022, we rededicated the pavilion as the Trevor H. C. Baker Youth Center, honoring the legacy of our late leader. In 2023, we broke ground on a 4,000-seat Adult Worship Center. While delays and challenges have tested our patience, we remain resolute in our determination to complete this project as a visible testimony of faith.
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• Reorganization: Recognizing the vastness of our territory, we advanced the proposal for a North Atlantic Conference, focused on New England. Currently under review by the North American Division, this step holds promise for greater administrative efficiency and evangelistic focus in Boston, Hartford, Providence, and beyond.

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Emerging Opportunities

We are actively studying the establishment of a Center of Influence in the form of an urgent care facility. Such a ministry would unite health and mission, providing tangible care to our communities while bearing witness to the compassion of Christ. This initiative embodies our desire to meet people where they are—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

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Conclusion: Faithful in Duty, Courageous in Mission

As I bring this report to a close, my heart overflows with gratitude. No leader travels alone, and no vision comes to life without the sacrifice, prayers, and devotion of many hands and hearts.

I pause first to thank Sister Dawn Levy, my Executive Assistant and friend, whose tireless labor, wise counsel, and resolute support have been a gift to this office and to me personally. To our Conference office staff, you have borne the weight of your roles with diligence and grace, often unseen, but never unnoticed by heaven.

I extend heartfelt thanks to our Executive Committee for their careful deliberations, spiritual insight, and commitment to the mission entrusted to us. To my fellow officers, I count it a privilege to labor shoulder to shoulder with you in this vineyard. Together, we have prayed, planned, and persevered.

We acknowledge with deep respect our Atlantic Union leadership, especially Dr. Abraham Jules, whose counsel and support have fortified our hands in the work.

Special thanks are due to the Camp Victory Lake staff, whose unbending dedication ensures that our camp remains a place where children, youth, and adults encounter God in transformative ways. I also extend gratitude to Mrs. Robin Venters, whose service and commitment have enriched the ministry of this Conference in quiet but powerful ways.

To my beloved family, words cannot capture the depth of my gratitude. To my wife, Lorraine, whose love, wisdom, and partnership are the greatest blessing of my life; to my sons and my daughters-in-law, whose love and support strengthen the fabric of our family; and to my grandchildren, who remind me daily of God’s goodness and the hope of the generations to come—I thank you, and I love you.

To our churches and pastors, thank you for your relentless labor in the harvest fields of this great Conference. To our schools and educators, you are shaping minds and hearts for eternity, and your work is no less evangelism than the pulpit. 

And to the constituency of Northeastern, your faithfulness in prayer, in service, and in stewardship makes all that we celebrate possible.

Together, we are not merely an organization; we are a family, bound by mission and united by hope. May our collective efforts rise as a sweet-smelling offering before the throne of God.

As we look back on eighty years, we see the hand of God guiding, correcting, and sustaining this Conference. As we look forward, we see unfinished work, yet also fields white unto harvest. We are called to proclaim the everlasting gospel, to build up families, to plant new congregations, to educate children, and to reclaim the lost.

The task before us is immense, but our God is greater. With confidence in His promises, we will press forward—faithful in duty, courageous in mission, and steadfast in hope!

May the same God who has led us these eighty years continue to lead us until that great day when we shall gather, not in session halls or campgrounds, but around the throne of the Lamb.

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