Monday, July 6, 2009.  In a surprise move yesterday, the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists   elected Dr. Mansfield Edwards as president.

 The vote was taken late on the closing day of the two-day constituency meeting, held at the International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario, after hours of deliberation and uncertainty.

 Shortly after the meeting began on Sunday morning the name of the incumbent, Derrick Nichols, was nominated to serve a fourth term as president. Before the vote was called, however, a delegate referred the report to the nominating committee for further consideration.  The committee did not return with a report until close to the end of the scheduled time, necessitating an extended meeting.

 After a short break the report was finally given and Dr. Mansfield Edwards was nominated as president.  The vote resulted in a 75% confidence vote of the delegation and Edwards was declared to be the new president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ontario, succeeding Pastor Derrick Nichols.

 Until his election yesterday, Edwards was the senior pastor of the thousand-member Apple Creek Adventist Church in North York.

 The constituency also chose to elect a new executive secretary, and the delegation accepted the nomination of Dr. Daniel Linrud, former pastor of Living Word Fellowship, in Hamilton, Ontario.  Linrud replaces Pastor Antonio Bueno, who served one term in the position.

 The re-election of Mr. Ulysses Guarin as treasurer, completed the election of the officers of the church in Ontario.

 Even later in the day, departmental directors were also voted:

 ADRA Representative /Community Services/

 Adult and Youth Sabbath School                Theodore Sargeant

 Children Ministries/Health Ministries           Maria McClean

 Communications/

 Public Affairs & Religious Liberty                Halsey Peat

 Education Superintendent                          Janice Maitland

 Associate Education Superintendent           Frances Schander

 Information Technology                              Raveen Pal

 Ministerial Association/Evangelism              Errol Lawrence

 Personal Ministries                                     Eustace Williams

 Transportation/Property Management/

 Risk Management Services                         Birthe Chan

 Associate Treasurer                                    Virene Joseph

 Trust Services/Kingsway Pioneer Home       Alvin Ram

 Women Ministries/Family Ministries              Donna Jackson

 Youth Ministries/AMiCUS                             Cyril Millett

 Associate Youth Ministries/

 Adventurers/Pathfinders                              Edwin Martin

 Associate Youth Ministries/

 Camp Ministries/Men Ministries                    Glenn DeSilva