News Articles

Debleaire Snell Named Speaker/Director Elect of Breath of Life Ministries

July 30, 2021 | Columbia, Md. | North American Division

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, the North American Division Adventist Media Ministries board voted to accept the name of Debleaire Snell for the position of speaker/director of Breath of Life Ministries. Snell is set to replace Carlton P. Byrd, who accepted a call to serve as president of the Southwest Region Conference this past May.

“Pastor Snell is a gifted communicator of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president. “God has called him to build on the great legacy of the Breath of Life Ministries forged by those who have gone before. I believe God has brought him to this ministry for such a time as this.”

Since 2010, BOL speaker/director elect Snell has served as senior pastor of the three campuses of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church (First Church, Abundant Life, and “The Bridge”) in Huntsville, Alabama. He has conducted several major evangelistic meetings for the church; and throughout his time at First Church, there have been a total of 878 baptisms. In 2020, Snell launched a local television ministry with the Huntsville CBS affiliate.

Before serving in Huntsville, Snell was senior pastor at the Lima Drive Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, from 2006-2010. In two years, Snell and his team conducted three evangelistic series, baptizing more than 100. Snell also served as senior pastor of the Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church in Columbus, Mississippi, and the Lee Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Point, Mississippi.

Snell has taught at Oakwood University as an adjunct professor since 2010. In addition to starting a devotional column in a local newspaper while in Kentucky, Snell has authored six books. He graduated from Oakwood University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in theology. In 2001, Snell earned his Master of Divinity from Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

“I am humbled for the opportunity to serve my Lord and Savior in this capacity. It is my goal to zealously make Christ known through the preaching of the gospel,” said Snell. "I look forward with God’s help to adding to the rich legacy established by Pastor [C.D.] Brooks, Walter Pearson, and Dr. Byrd. I would like to thank the leadership of the North American Division, along with members of the Breath of Life board, and Adventist Media Ministries for entrusting me with this sacred responsibility.”

Seeing the Mission Field as It Actually Is

Kyoshin Ahn, executive secretary for the North American Division, presented his report to kick off day three of the division’s 2024 year-end meeting. To begin, he read the list of everyone in the departments of the secretariat, thanking the team for their service and their contributions to the report.

To the West, the North, the East, and the South: A Report on the Early Mission Work in the North American Division

Kyoshin Ahn, secretary for the North American Division, presented his report during the third day of the 2024 year-end meeting (YEM). The first part of his report was summarized in a separate article. The second part of Ahn’s report was focused on missions within the NAD, in honor of the 150th anniversary of Adventist missions.

Preparing for Pentecost: NAD President G. Alexander Bryant’s 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting Report is a Call to Higher Service

The 2024 North American Division Year-End Meeting began at 1 p.m. on November 1 at the NAD headquarters in Columbia, Maryland, following a two-day administrators’ conference — the first in 10 years — at the same location. One hundred and fifty executive committee members (of 302) gathered for day one of business meetings where, until Monday, November 3, they will receive reports, vote on business items, strategize, and fellowship with fellow Adventist church leaders and friends.

Sabbath Worship at Year-End Meeting: A Sacred Pause

For attendees at the North American Division (NAD) Year-End Meeting, the Sabbath arrived as a welcome sacred pause, offering divine rest amid the intensive days of church business. All who gathered enjoyed worship, praise, and fellowship through three avenues: Sabbath School, worship service, and afternoon concert.

NAD Year-End Meeting Vespers: An Upper Room Experience

This year’s Friday evening vespers program during the North American Division Year-End Meeting delivered a unique and spirit-filled experience. It began with an agape feast followed by an upper room biblical dramatization, congregational singing, special prayer time, ordinance of humility, and communion.