Speakers
Rear AdmiralBarry C. Black (Ret.)
On June 27, 2003, Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret.) was elected the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate. He began working in the Senate on July 7, 2003. Prior to coming to Capitol Hill, Chaplain Black served in the U.S. Navy for over twenty-seven years, ending his distinguished career as the Chief of Navy Chaplains.
Chaplain Black is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and an alumnus of Oakwood College, Andrews University, North Carolina Central University, Eastern Baptist Seminary, Salve Regina University, and United States International University. In addition to earning Master of Arts degrees in Divinity, Counseling, and Management, he has received a Doctorate degree in Ministry and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology.
Chaplain Black has been selected for many outstanding achievements. Of particular note, he was chosen from 127 nominees for the 1995 NAACP Renowned Service Award for his contribution to equal opportunity and civil rights. He also received the 2002 Benjamin Elijah Mays Distinguished Leadership Award from The Morehouse School of Religion.
In 2004, the Old Dominion University chapter of the NAACP conferred on him the Image Award, "Reaffirming the Dream — Realizing the Vision" for military excellence.
Dr. Hyveth WilliamsProfessor of Homiletics
Hyveth Williams, D. Min is a Professor of Homiletics at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Prior to moving to the seminary Dr. Williams was the Senior Pastor of the Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loma Linda, California from 1996 - 2009.
An internationally acclaimed preacher and prolific writer, Dr. Hyveth Williams, a native Jamaican who was raise in London, England, was a contributing author to three books published in 1995. In 1996, her autobiography, Will I Ever Learn?, was published and promoted world-wide by the Review and Herald. Her second book, Anticipation, was published in 2000 by Pacific Press. Her third book, Secrets of a Happy Heart, was published in 2004 by the Review and Herald. Articles by Pastor Williams have appeared in Adventist Review, Celebration, Insight, Message, Ministry, Signs of the Times and Women of Spirit magazines.
Pastor Williams is a recipient of several leadership awards including the North American Division Distinguished Service Award for Pastoral Ministry and the Women of the Year Award for Pastor/Chaplain from the North American Division Human Relations Department and the Association of Adventist Women.
Dr. Williams appreciates every opportunity to share the Gospel, approaching her role as a spokesperson for God as a sacred trust.
Dr. Derek MorrisSenior Pastor, Forest Lake Church
Derek Morris currently serves as senior pastor of the Forest Lake Church in Apopka, Florida. His sermons are viewed worldwide via streaming video at www.forestlakechurch.org and the Hope Channel. He teaches preaching courses for Andrews University and Southern Adventist University, and presents preaching workshops for pastors around the world. His greatest joy is found in helping people to experience a life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has completed a Doctor of Ministry in Practical Theology from Andrews University and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has published extensively in MINISTRY magazine, particularly in regards to effective biblical preaching. His book, Powerful Biblical Preaching h His book, Powerful Biblical Preaching has been translated in several languages. His most recent best-selling book, The Radical Prayer is available at www.theradicalprayer.com.
G. Earl KnightExecutive Secretary, Greater New York Conference
Pastor G. Earl Knight has been serving the Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 31 years in various capacities. He has traveled extensively to Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout North America proclaiming the Word of God. Several thousands of souls have been baptized and 10 Churches planted as a result of his ministry.
G. Earl Knight received his Bachelors Degree in Theology from West Indies College, now Northern Caribbean University and a Masters Degree in Religion from Andrews University. He is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry Degree in the area of Church Growth and Evangelism, with special emphasis on Disciple making.
Pastor Knight has pastored several churches in: Jamaica; Ontario, Canada and Greater New York Conference. In 1994 Elder Knight was elected to serve as the Director of Personal Ministry, Sabbath School, and Religious Liberty for Greater New York Conference. In 2001 Elder Knight was also elected to serve as the Executive Secretary of the Greater New York Conference, a position he has held since. Dr Knight has also been Adjunct Professor for Atlantic Union College and Andrews Theological Seminary.
Pastor Knight is recognized and has received numerous awards for his work at various levels of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For his work in the community, he has also received many awards, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award and a Proclamation from the City of New York.
Elder Knight has authored two books, Church Growth Made Easier and the Power of the Holy Spirit. He has also authored The Seven Steps to Eternal Life Bible Study Series.
Dr. Knight is happily married to Yvonne (Bailey) who is an Officer, at Emigrant Savings Bank and Women’s Ministries Director for Greater New York Conference. They are the parents of two young adults, Anthea and Michael, who are excelling in their areas of studies and maintaining their faith in Christ.
Elder Knight’s greatest desire is that he and his family along with all the people of God be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Sung KwonExecutive Director, NAD Adventist Community Services
Sung Kwon has served as the national executive director of the North American Division Adventist Community Services since 2001 and is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, having served in Ohio and Allegheny East Conferences. He studied business administration at the University of Maryland; received a bachelor's degree in theology from Columbia Union College in Maryland; earned a master's degree in public administration, concentrated in nonprofit management from Wright State University in Ohio; received a Milton Murray Fellowship for Harvard University Executive Education; and earned the designation of Certified Senior Advisor. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Leadership at Andrews University in Michigan.
Kwon served as the executive director of the Good Neighbor House, an ACS agency in Dayton, Ohio, for eight years. He also was the president and vice president of the North American Association of Community Services Directors (NAACSD) during that time. He was recognized in the "40 Under 40 - Dayton's Brightest Young Business Leaders" by the Business News of Dayton, Ohio in April, 2000. He had the privilege of planting the Korean congregation as a company, serving as its interim pastor, under the favoring influence of the Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dayton, Ohio. In addition, He has served as youth pastor for Stillwater Adventist Church in Ohio Conference and administration pastor for Miracle Temple Adventist Church in Allegheny East Conference. He has served on the board of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) and currently serves on the board of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, and National Interfaith Coalition of Aging (NICA).
Sung Kwon is married to Me, his childhood sweetheart, and together they have two children, Teresa and Joshua.
Bill McClendonVice President, Oklahoma Conference
Bill McClendon became an Adventist in 1983 through a public evangelistic campaign in Tulsa OK. Over the next seventeen years, he served the local church in numerous capacities while operating a computer software consulting company.
In 1999, he and his wife, Shirlene, were given the opportunity to plant a new church in the Oklahoma Conference. In 2000, Bill sold his consulting company and entered into full-time ministry as pastor of South Tulsa Adventist Fellowship.
With a membership now of 800, Adventist Fellowship remains one of the fastest growing Adventist churches in North America. Their tremendous growth is attributed almost exclusively to an aggressive public evangelism strategy.
In addition to being pastor of Adventist Fellowship, Bill serves as Ministerial Director and Vice President of the Oklahoma Conference.
Clifton Davis
Dr. Davis served two years as Associate Pastor at the Loma Linda University Church in California, and he is the co-founder and former co-pastor of Welcome Christian Center in Huntington Beach, CA. His ministry spans more than 20 years.
Frederick A. RussellPresident, Allegheny West Conference
Frederick Russell is currently the president of the Allegheny West Conference, and was previously Senior Pastor of the Miracle Temple church in Baltimore, Maryland. Russell has a passion for developing leaders in all types of settings and has started a company called the True North Leadership Group. He also serves as a columnist for the Adventist Review. Pastor Russell has a B.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Management. Pastor Russell is happily married to his wife Brenda, the proud father of two young adults, Ashley and Andy, and most recently a new grandfather.
Mansfield Edwards
President, Ontario Conference
Edwards, who holds a Doctorate in Ministry degree, comes to the presidency after serving as pastor of the 1,000-member Apple Creek Adventist Church in North York, Ontario.
Born in Jamaica, Edwards attended Northern Caribbean University and began pastoral work in the East Jamaica Conference. He later served as a conference departmental director in Jamaica before moving to the Quebec Conference, pastoring in Montreal. In Quebec, he also served as co-chair for the English-speaking sector of the conference evangelism council.
In 2002, Edwards joined the Ontario Conference as pastor of the Apple Creek Church, where he founded the Discover the Power TV ministry, which airs on Hope TV and Vision TV. Edwards is also very active in the local community and was appointed as a police chaplain.
Edwards and his wife, Sharon, have two sons, Matthew and Craig.
The delegates also elected Daniel Linrud as executive secretary of the conference, replacing Antonio Bueno. Linrud comes to the position from the Living Word Christian Fellowship Church in Hamilton, Ontario.
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Dr. Emil D. PeelerPastor
Emil Dean Peeler was born and reared in Sacramento, California, the third son of Arlie and Thomasina Peeler. He attended Oakwood College andis a graduate of Loma Linda University (Bachelor of Arts), Andrews University (Master of Divinity), and Claremont School of Theology (Doctor of Ministry). He shares his life with his wife, Brenda, and three daughters; La Donna, Nicole, and Alisha and one grandson, Jeremiah Emil.
For over twenty-six years, Dr. Peeler has served in various positions of leadership in the SDA Church most notably as pastor, evangelist, associate ministerial director, and college professor, and author. Notably, he led with distinction four congregations as senior pastor: Compton Community Church in Compton, CA and the 16th Street Church in San Bernardino, CA.
After those assignments, he served for nearly four years as an Associate Ministerial Director for Church Growth and Evangelism in the North Pacific Union Conference where he successfully planted three new churches. Upon returning to local church ministry, Dr. Peeler served as senior pastor of the Maranatha Church in San Diego; CA. where he began the weekly television broadcast entitled Journey to Joy.
For nearly five years Dr. Peeler served as the senior pastor of the historic Dupont Park SDA Church in Washington D.C. While there, he spearheaded a major renovation project and significantly increased and strengthened the membership by promoting greater lay participation in relevant evangelism initiatives, and by broadening their rich music tradition to reach a greater mass of the community.
In August of 2008, Dr. Peeler returned back to California as the Director of Church Growth and Discipleship for the Southeastern California Conference. He is also engaged as an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University as well as being director/speaker for Open Bible Ministries, INC.
Beyond the pulpit, as a motivational therapist and a certified mediator, Dr. Peeler has also actively been a part of many organizations that have sought to relieve many of the social ills that have impacted the communities in which he has been assigned. Dr. Peeler has received many awards and citations from churches, political dignitaries, and community organizations. In the fall of 2001, he was chosen to be National Adventist Man of the Year by the Frank Loris Peterson Men's Society in Columbus, Ohio.
He is in constant demand as a preacher, mentor, motivational speaker and evangelist around the world. His other passions include mentoring young ministers, sports, producing music, and writing. His ministry motto is: “When you build people you build the Kingdom.”
After those assignments, he served for nearly four years as an Associate Ministerial Director for Church Growth and Evangelism in the North Pacific Union Conference where he successfully planted three new churches. Upon returning to local church ministry, Dr. Peeler served as senior pastor of the Maranatha Church in San Diego; CA. where he began the weekly television broadcast entitled Journey to Joy.
For nearly five years Dr. Peeler served as the senior pastor of the historic Dupont Park SDA Church in Washington D.C. While there, he spearheaded a major renovation project and significantly increased and strengthened the membership by promoting greater lay participation in relevant evangelism initiatives, and by broadening their rich music tradition to reach a greater mass of the community.
In August of 2008, Dr. Peeler returned back to California as the Director of Church Growth and Discipleship for the Southeastern California Conference. He is also engaged as an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University as well as being director/speaker for Open Bible Ministries, INC.
Beyond the pulpit, as a motivational therapist and a certified mediator, Dr. Peeler has also actively been a part of many organizations that have sought to relieve many of the social ills that have impacted the communities in which he has been assigned. Dr. Peeler has received many awards and citations from churches, political dignitaries, and community organizations. In the fall of 2001, he was chosen to be National Adventist Man of the Year by the Frank Loris Peterson Men's Society in Columbus, Ohio.
He is in constant demand as a preacher, mentor, motivational speaker and evangelist around the world. His other passions include mentoring young ministers, sports, producing music, and writing. His ministry motto is: “When you build people you build the Kingdom.”
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd Pastor
As pastor of the fastest growing local church in the North American Division, Dr. Byrd is a well-spring of innovative information on church growth. He is a man of action who will share what has and has not worked at his explosive church.
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is a graduate of Oakwood University (formerly Oakwood College) in Huntsville, AL with dual degrees, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. He is also a graduate of Andrews University (SDA Theological Seminary) in Berrien Springs, MI, where he earned both the Master of Divinity Degree and the Doctor of Ministry Degree, and a graduate of Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, where he earned the Master of Business Administration Degree.
Roger Hernandez
As pastor of the fastest growing local church in the North American Division, Dr. Byrd is a well-spring of innovative information on church growth. He is a man of action who will share what has and has not worked at his explosive church.
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is a graduate of Oakwood University (formerly Oakwood College) in Huntsville, AL with dual degrees, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. He is also a graduate of Andrews University (SDA Theological Seminary) in Berrien Springs, MI, where he earned both the Master of Divinity Degree and the Doctor of Ministry Degree, and a graduate of Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, where he earned the Master of Business Administration Degree.
Roger HernandezSenior Pastor, Hillsboro SDA Church
Roger Hernandez is the Hispanic Ministries Director of the Oregon Conference. He is currently in the D-Min program and has served in the ministry for 17 years.
He is a motivational speaker and writer, and has spoken at division, union and conference events as well as at INNOVATIVE IMPACT, SEEDS, the church planting conference run by NADEI (North American Division Evangelism Institute) in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Pastor Hernandez is fully bi-lingual and has presented to many youth and young adult groups as well as evangelism training. He was born in Cuba and is married with four children.
Roger Hernandez is the Hispanic Ministries Director of the Oregon Conference. He is currently in the D-Min program and has served in the ministry for 17 years.
He is a motivational speaker and writer, and has spoken at division, union and conference events as well as at INNOVATIVE IMPACT, SEEDS, the church planting conference run by NADEI (North American Division Evangelism Institute) in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Pastor Hernandez is fully bi-lingual and has presented to many youth and young adult groups as well as evangelism training. He was born in Cuba and is married with four children.
Dr. Jesse WilsonAssociate Professor, Oakwood University
Dr. Jesse Wilson is an Associate Professor of Religion in Practical Theology at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabaman. He also coordinates the Doctor of Ministry concentration in Urban Ministries for Andrews University in Berrin Springs, Michigan. He is a sough-after speaker and teacher with a passion for church growth and leadership development.
