Allegheny East Conference Elects Leadership Team

During the Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) 21st Regular Constituency Meeting, delegates celebrated the conference’s accomplishments and also elected a new officer to the leadership team. Celebrating 50 years of existence, the day incorporated the conference’s yearlong theme, “Standing on the Promises.” Reaching Hearts International church in Laurel, Md., located in one of the conference’s newest buildings, hosted the event, which was streamed live on the conference’s website.

During the Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) 21st Regular Constituency Meeting, delegates celebrated the conference’s accomplishments during and also elected a new officer to the leadership team. Celebrating 50 years of existence, the day incorporated the conference’s yearlong theme, “Standing on the Promises.” Reaching Hearts International church in Laurel, Md., located in one of the conference’s newest buildings, hosted the event, which was streamed live on the conference’s website.

During the session, delegates re-elected Henry J. Fordham III for president and Lawrance E. Martin, vice president for finance. New to the leadership team, Pete Palmer was elected as vice president for administration. Palmer has served AEC for more than 25 years as an educator and pastor, most recently pastoring at the Germantown church in Philadelphia.

New departmental leaders also joined the team, including Gene Donaldson, Ministerial director; John Alberty, Education superintendent; and Robert Smith, Adventist Community Services director. Smith will follow the leadership of Minnie McNeil, who recently retired after serving AEC for 20 years.

Benjamin Jones, president of South Central Conference, delivered the devotional message. Each department gave a video report sharing ministry highlights from the previous term. The president noted the vibrant ministry of the young pastors, as well as the conference’s growth in diversity, speaking to the conference’s mission to spread the gospel “ta ethne,” to all people groups. (Visit visitaec.org/constituency to view these presentations.)

Some of the highlights included membership growth from 35,121 to 40,426, a significant increase in the amount of churches actively using the e-Adventist.net membership program, and the rise in enrollment of students within AEC schools. Leaders also highlighted the addition of a new school, Ivy Hill Christian Academy in Philadelphia.

Nicole Hughes, headmistress of Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa., shared the status of the academy’s strategic plan and accomplishments, such as the resurgence of their work/study program for students, renovation of campus facilities and the establishment of a school garden.

Delegates voted minor changes to the bylaws and elected a new executive committee.

Photo caption: Pete Palmer, VP for Admin; Patrick Graham, Youth Ministries; Gene Donaldson, Ministerial; LaTasha Hewitt, Communication; Henry J. Fordham, III, president, Leah Scott, Health; Robert Smith, Adventist Community Services; John Alberty, Education superintendent; Lawrance Martin, VP for Finance.