Chesapeake Conference Delegates Re-elect Officers at Constituency Meeting

Story by Evan Knott

On May 22, 2022, delegates to the Fifth Quinquennial Constituency Meeting of the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-day Adventists re-elected President Jerry Lutz, Executive Secretary Andre Hastick, and Treasurer Eduardo Munoz. 

The meeting was conducted virtually through Zoom due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It is a humbling experience and a privilege to serve the Lord and the people of this conference in this leadership role," Lutz said. "Seeing how the Lord has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined during the past five years, despite the pandemic, it is exciting to anticipate what greater blessings He has in store for us in this new term."

Five new churches--Aberdeen Spanish, Baltimore Centro Spanish, Waldorf Spanish, Seaford Spanish, and Washington Ghanian--were accepted into the Chesapeake Conference sisterhood of churches during the session. During the last quinquennium, 2,063 people joined Chesapeake Conference churches through baptism or profession of faith, and conference membership approached 17,000.

"While we have seen the church grow in numbers these past five years, strengthening the footprint and reach of our congregations in their various communities, what is of even greater importance in this new term is strengthening our individual relationships with Jesus," Lutz said. "As we are individually strong in the Lord, the greater will be our witness to those around us who do not know Jesus."

Munoz stated during the treasury report that the Chesapeake Conference remained in a steady and healthy financial condition over the past five years. Munoz reported that between 2017 and 2021, Chesapeake Conference maintained the highest tithe per capita in the Columbia Union and the fifth-highest tithe per capita in the North American Division.  

"For 42 years, tithe has increased in the Chesapeake Conference each year," Munoz said. "This is an amazing story to tell." 

Lutz has served as president since January 5, 2021, when the Executive Committee elected him to fill the vacancy left by Rick Remmers, who accepted a call to the Columbia Union. Lutz served as executive secretary from 2014 to 2021. Before joining conference administration, Lutz served as the senior pastor of the Spencerville Church in Silver Spring, Md., from 1996 to 2014.

Hastick has served as executive secretary since February 22, 2021. He joined the Chesapeake Conference as a pastor in 2011 before accepting a call to serve as communication director in 2017. 

Munoz has served as the Chesapeake Conference treasurer since 2008. Before coming to the conference as an associate treasurer in 2000, Munoz served as an associate treasurer in the Texas Conference. 

"There is much to be done to spread the Three Angels Messages in our neighborhoods and communities," Lutz said. "With the presence of the Holy Spirit to equip us for ministry and the commitment of His people to live for Jesus, we may, by faith, anticipate that in this new term, should time last, many thousands of people will join us, as we seek to do His will."