Allegheny West Conference Says Goodbye to Five Workers

This summer five Allegheny West Conference (AWC) staff members left their posts or retired. William T. Cox, conference president, says, “Their contributions and service have been invaluable and we will miss the impact of their ministry.”

Irene Hale
Photograph by Bryant Taylor

Irene Hale worked for the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 41 years. She served as executive assistant to Calvin Rock, when he served as president of Oakwood University (Ala.), before transferring to the AWC where she served for more than 38 years as executive assistant to five presidents: Harold Cleveland, Willie Lewis, Hector Mouzon, James Lewis and Fredrick Russell. She also served as administrative assistant for various departments within the conference office.

Hale looks forward to spending time with her husband, Frank Hale, III, son and grandchild.

Joseph Grider
Photograph by Bryant Taylor

Joseph Grider has pastored for 34 years, including the last three as senior pastor of Ethan Temple in Dayton, Ohio. Grider recently accepted a call to the South Central Conference to pastor in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He will also serve as assistant ministerial director for the conference.

Allen Baldwin
Photograph by Bryant Taylor

Allen Baldwin worked in the AWC for 23 years. He pastored in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio and served as director for the Sabbath School, Children’s and Men’s ministries departments. Baldwin accepted a call to the South Atlantic Conference where he will pastor the Milledgeville and Dublin (Ga) church district.

Yvette Cooper
Photograph by Bryant Taylor

Yvette Cooper worked in Adventist education for 33 years. She spent 16 of those years in Allegheny West during two separate stints. While at the AWC, she served in several roles: education superintendent, Pathfinder director, conference Pathfinder coordinator, Deaf Ministries coordinator, Health Ministries coordinator and Singles Ministries coordinator. Cooper is moving to the South Atlantic Conference to serve as principal of Decatur Adventist Junior Academy in Georgia.

Bryant Taylor

Bryant Taylor served 25 of his 27 years in denominational ministry in the AWC. He pastored in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio, and served as communication director for the last nine years. Taylor accepted a call to the Southeastern Conference in Florida to serve as director of communication/technology.