The North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has voted to formally receive the Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE) as an official entity of the division, effective May 1, 2025.

The decision, made on March 26, 2025, follows a vote by the Andrews University board on March 24 to transfer the non-profit entity—formerly part of the university since 1979—to the NAD. Established initially as the Youth Resource Center and renamed in 1996, the CYE has played a major role in youth-focused outreach and events across the continent and beyond.

With the transfer, the corporate membership of the Andrews University board of trustees will be moved to the North American Division, which will now be responsible for forming a new board for the organization.

Leadership Transition

The transition also coincides with a major leadership shift. On March 5, longtime CYE Executive Director Pastor Ron Whitehead was voted by the Lake Union Conference committee into a full-time role as director of Youth, Young Adult, and Children’s Ministries. Whitehead served in the Lake Union in a volunteer capacity for 29 years while also directing CYE.

Both Ron and his wife, Betty, have decided to step away from their roles with CYE and will begin their new chapter in ministry on May 1.

Whitehead’s contributions span decades of service, most notably through the International Pathfinder Camporees, Cruise with a Mission, We Care mission trips, and the 180° Symposium. He has led six international camporees between 1999 and 2024, five of which were hosted within the Lake Union territory, and one—his most recent—in 2024 in the Mid-America Union. His first major camporee coordination dates back to 1994, when he was with the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church in general, and the North American Division in particular, owe Ron and Betty a debt of gratitude for the tremendous leadership they have rendered through the years,” said G. Alexander Bryant, president of the NAD. “Ron has shown us how to run big events successfully with maximum impact that have been transformative to our youth.”

Bryant confirmed that Whitehead will stay on in a consulting role during the transition period.

“As we recognize the impact CYE has had on countless lives over the years, we are grateful for the service Ron and Betty have provided since 1996,” Bryant added. “We believe we can continue CYE’s ministry and expand that impact across the North American Division.”

Looking Ahead

Wendy Eberhardt, NAD vice president for ministries and a longtime leader in youth and camp ministries, welcomed the transfer.

“We are delighted to welcome CYE to the NAD family,” she said. “With its rich history of providing outstanding research, relevant resources, innovative learning laboratories, and transformative evangelistic events such as the international camporees, I believe that God will continue to guide CYE as it takes this next step forward in serving youth ministry professionals and youth evangelism in the future.”

The original article was published on the North American Division news site. Follow ANN on social media and join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news updates.