Derek Bignall, former secretary for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica was elected president for the church in the region and replacing Patrick Allen. Allen recently accepted the position of Governor General and will take office in February.

The Jamaica Observer quoted Bignall calling Allen “a transformational leader,” someone who has “... taken Adventism in Jamaica from the middle page to the front page.”

Bignal also said he is honored that church leaders chose him to lead the church in Jamaica with its 260,000 members.

A graduate of West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University) and Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, Pastor Bignall holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and a master’s degree in education.  He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in education at Northern Caribbean University.