Linda Koh on the platform of Session shortly before being re-elected as the Adventist world church's Children's Ministries department director. She was one of eight department directors re-elected, Tuesday, June 29. [photo: Robert East]
Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership voted to retain five mid-level officials in their current position as field secretaries at a June 29 business meeting.
Delegates meeting in Atlanta's Georgia Dome for the Adventist World Session also voted to retain eight department directors.
The general field secretaries will continue to be:
Paul S. Brantley, director, Office of Assessment and Program Effectiveness. A former university professor, Brantley has headed the office since 2007.
Gary D. Krause, who has held the post since 2004. Krause also serves as the director of the Office of Adventist Mission.
Angel Manuel Rodriguez, who as a field secretary has been director of the Biblical Research Institute since 2002. He previously served in Inter-America.
Charles Sandefur, who has been president of ADRA since 2002 and also is a former union president.
Brad Thorp, who has served as field secretary since 2005. He is director of the Hope Channel, and a former evangelist in Europe, Africa and North America.
The five names, recommended by the Nominating Committee, prompted one complaint at the microphone at the floor of the Georgia Dome. A delegate from Europe expressed disappointment that the candidates, "again," are all men.
In response, committee Chairman Robert Kyte said the body that he heads, which has more than 200 members and meets in private, is attempting to fill positions with women "whenever possible."
The eight department directors re-appointed to their positions are:
Heather-Dawn Small, director of Women's Ministries since 2005. She previously served as children's ministries director, and in women's ministry roles in Inter-America.
Jonathan Kuntaraf, director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries since 2005. Kuntaraf previously served in the former Asia-Pacific Division as associate director for church ministries.
Linda Koh, director of Children's Ministries since 2003. She has served as Far Eastern Division associate director of children's ministries, and also in the same capacity in the Asia-Pacific Division.
Dr. Allan Hanysides, director of Health Ministries since 1998. Hanysides previously served as health and temperance director in Euro-Africa and as hospital medical director.
John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty since 1995. He previously served as Euro-Africa Division communication director.
Howard Faigao, director of Publishing since 2005. Faigao formerly worked in publishing in Southeast Asia.
Erika Puni, director of Stewardship since 2005. Puni, formerly a professor at Avondale College, was also division director of stewardship before moving to Maryland to work in the General Conference.
Gary Councell, director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. Councell served 36 years as a United States Military Chaplain while simultaneously pastoring 11 churches.