Governor Bryan highlights the church’s health and community efforts, encouraging members to keep spreading love and making a difference.
September 8, 2025 | Frederiksted, St. Croix | Royston Philbert and IAD News Staff
U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., speaking at the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Croix, congratulated Seventh-day Adventists for their efforts and commended church leaders and members for making a positive difference in society. His remarks came during the opening ceremony of the North Caribbean Conference’s (NCC) 15th Session on August 20, 2025, where delegates gathered to review mission progress, and set priorities for the next four years.
He extended his gratitude to Adventist members. “Every day you are doing it. Keep spreading love, I thank you. Love is so important in the world today. People need love,” said Governor Bryan.
Reflecting on the church’s influence, he added, “You don’t get credit for what you stop doing. You are stopping a lot from happening. When you think of the kinds of people you are turning out from this church, you are doing a lot.”
Governor Bryan praised Adventists for their efforts to enhance the territory’s quality of life, highlighting the church’s health message. “You are making fewer trips to the hospital, no trips to the police station—you are doing a lot,” he stated. “Even when you think you are not doing enough, you might be doing enough to save one person. Do not be weary of doing good.”
The 15th Session of the North Caribbean Conference brought together delegates from across the ten-island territory to review the past term, elect leadership, and plan future mission initiatives and activities.
The Governor’s words of encouragement highlighted the church’s impact on spiritual growth, education, health, and community service throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond, church leaders said.
Pastor Kern Tobias, president of the Caribbean Union, which oversees the work of the church in the NCC, welcomed the governor’s remarks, emphasizing that strong partnerships between civic leaders and faith communities are essential to promoting moral values and improving the lives of residents.
Delegates at the session also elected a new administrative team: Wilmoth James as president, Howard Simon as executive secretary, and Sanida McKenie as treasurer.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North Caribbean Conference oversees the work in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands—including Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda—the United States Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, as well as the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The conference serves more than 15,000 members across 33 congregations and operates eight primary and secondary schools.