20 September 2024| Hinckley, UK [Jonathan Holder and BUC News]
The North England Conference (NEC) Session, held from 11 to 13 September 2024 at the Leonardo Hotel in Hinckley, Leicestershire, was a powerful gathering filled with reflection and decision-making. The three days of the session culminated in two deeply moving services: the Consecration and Ordination services on Sabbath 14 September.
The incumbent president, George Kumi, steered the opening moments of the Session towards Isaiah 1:12-16, from which he urged delegates to integrate their worship with daily living, emphasising that true Christianity must be lived out consistently.
When business began, the session moved into a series of motions, including accepting newly formed churches, voting systems, time limits on comments, and other procedural matters. Discussions then turned to the proposed budgets for elected positions, with suggestions for increasing director roles in certain departments.
The second day of the Session was focused on departmental reports and the critical task of nominating and electing the NEC’s key leadership roles. Questions arose about how the church could provide more consistent and permanent community service beyond one-off events. The Education report, led by Lorraine McDonald (BUC Education Director), reassured delegates of the strength of Adventist schools, while Family Ministries focused on the need to support young married couples and maintain a robust safeguarding framework.
Elected – Dr Steve Palmer
A highlight of the day came when the Nominating Committee presented their first partial report. Pastor Steve Palmer was nominated and elected as the new NEC President, succeeding Pastor George Kumi. Pastor Palmer humbly accepted the position, expressing his gratitude for the trust placed in him.
Dr Steve Palmer was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to a Cuban mother and a Jamaican father and emigrated to England in 1978. Baptised at the age of 16, he joined the Birmingham Handsworth and credits his faith stability to the church because of the nurture he received in that congregation. On becoming an Adventist, he felt a call to pastoral ministry, beginning his ministerial training at Newbold College in 1985 which culminated in 2023 following a long and diverse academic journey with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University in Pastoral Expectations in a Multicultural Congregation (Cultural Intelligence).
Palmer has been in full-time pastoral ministry for over 32 years, during which time he has ministered in 25 churches. This includes pastoring the Nottingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Coventry, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, and Birmingham churches. He also served as NEC Youth Director and Student Chaplain for eight years.
Palmer says he enjoys preaching and teaching and has had the privilege of preaching in the USA, Jamaica, Canada, Bermuda, Ghana, Holland, Barbados, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Croatia, Cyprus, Norway, and the British Isles – and sometimes preaches in the Baptist Church.
Re-elected – Emanuel Bran and Michael Agyei Asare
The Nominating Committee returned with further reports for the Executive Secretary and Treasurer roles. Pastor Emanuel Bran was re-elected as Executive Secretary, while Elder Michael Agyei-Asare was re-elected as Treasurer. The delegation approved both appointments with overwhelming support.
The third and final day of the Session began with a powerful devotion led by Pastor Daniel Duda (TED President), focusing on the theme “Forward We Go.” Pastor Duda challenged delegates to consider the implications of this motto, urging them to adapt to the times, while staying true to the mission of becoming more like Jesus and extending His love to others.
Towards the end of the Session, the Plans Committee, the largest committee of Session, presented proposals across six key areas: Reflecting Christ, Asset Management, People, Education, Communication, and Safeguarding. These proposals generated passionate discussions, and the plans were voted through after some suggestions.
As the day concluded, the Nominating Committee returned with partial reports for the remaining directors and Executive Committee members, which were eventually approved.
After these final votes, the session was adjourned with prayer, closing a successful NEC Session.
Consecration & Ordination Service
The Consecration Service, held at Leicester Central church was led by pastors Daniel Duda (Trans-European Division president), Eglan Brooks (BUC President), and Jacques Venter (BUC Executive Secretary). In a sermon focussing on the the necessity of seeing value in people, Duda reminded the congregation that “The ability to see value and potential in people is one of the rarest and greatest gifts in the world.” Following the sermon, Eglan Brooks charged the newly elected NEC officers and directors. These leaders and their families were prayed over as they committed themselves to the service of God and His people. An Ordination Service followed to recognise the ministry of Neville Taylor and Sergio De Sousa.
Pastors Taylor and De Sousa knelt before the congregation as fellow pastors gathered around to pray over them, committing their ministries and families to God. Pastor Neville Taylor, speaking on behalf of both ordinands, expressed gratitude to their families and the church community for their unwavering support.
The 2024 NEC Session was a week of significant decisions, spiritual reflection, and heartfelt dedication. From the election of new leaders to the powerful moments of consecration and ordination, the Spirit of God moved throughout the event, guiding the church into its next chapter. As the newly elected officers and pastors take up their roles, they do so with the prayers and support of the entire NEC family, ready to lead and serve with humility, faith, and love.
[Photos: North England Conference Featured image: Steve Palmer (left) and George Kumi (right) head to embrace each other as the leadership baton is passed from one to the other].
Read more about Pastor Steve Palmer. Read more about the NEC Session. The 12,764 NEC members meet in 110 churches and 35 Companies.* Visit the North England Conference website to discover more about the church’s work in this area of the world.
