Two new union presidents were among a number of leadership appointments made during the morning session of the Division Executive Committee (DEC) meetings, being held this week at the South Pacific Division (SPD) headquarters in Wahroonga, Sydney.
Pastor Charlie Jimmy, president of the Vanuatu Mission, has been appointed president of the Trans Pacific Union Mission, He replaces Pastor Maveni Kaufononga, who was elected SPD vice president during the recent General Conference Session. At the Papua New Guinea Union Mission, Pastor Danny Philip has been appointed president, replacing Pastor Malachi Yani. Pastor Philip has been serving as SPD discipleship strategy leader since 2021.
Quinquennial appointments for the Australian Union Conference and New Zealand Pacific Union Conference will be voted on at their sessions in the coming weeks.
The day began with worship, which featured a uniquely Pacific welcome for special guest, General Conference undersecretary Pastor Hensley Moorooven, who serves as liaison officer to the SPD. Pastor Kaufononga and newly appointed SPD associate secretary David Potter were also acknowledged. Pastor Kaufononga presented the worship message before DEC members divided into small groups for discussion and prayer.
The committee, comprising members from across the South Pacific, also voted through a number of other key leadership appointments that will help shape the mission of the Church over the next quinquennium.
Union Mission officers
Trans Pacific Union Mission
President: Pastor Charlie Jimmy
Secretary: pending
CFO: Fraser Alekevu
Papua New Guinea Union Mission
President: Pastor Danny Philip
Secretary: Pastor Leonard Sumatau
CFO: Kenton Ghona
SPD Ministry and Strategy Team
Director of Ministry and Strategy/Director of Youth Ministries: Pastor Terry Johnson
Director of Family Ministries: Dr Edyta Jankiewicz
Director of Children’s Ministries: Ruth Batu
Director of Discipleship, Personal Ministries and Sabbath School: Pastor Obed Yamasombi
Director of Adventist Health Ministries: Dr Geraldine Przybylko
Director of Stewardship Ministries: Julian Archer
Director of ADRA and Community Development: Matthew Siliga
Adventist Mission
Director of Adventist Mission: Pastor Wayne Boehm
Associate Director of Adventist Mission, Global Mission, Church Planting, Mission to the Cities: Dr Wayne Krause
Directors of Departments
Director of Communication: Tracey Bridcutt
Director of Education: Dr Elisapesi Manson
Field and Ministerial Associate Secretary: Dr Darius Jankiewicz
Associate Ministerial Association Secretary/Women in Ministry: pending
Directors of Institutes
Director, Institute of Public Evangelism: Pastor Lyle Southwell
Director, Institute for Discipleship: pending
Heads of SPD Institutions
CEO, Adventist Media: Dr Brad Kemp
Vice Chancellor, Pacific Adventist University: Professor Lohi Matainaho
Director, Health Food Department, CEO Australian Health and Nutrition Association Ltd, CEO New Zealand Health Association Ltd: Kevin Jackson
CEO, Adventist Healthcare Ltd: Brett Goods
The meetings conclude on Thursday. Last night a special welcome dinner, organised by SPD administration assistants, set the tone for the week of planning, strategy and fellowship.
