August 1, 2019
Release Date: July 25, 2019
SASKATOON, SK- On July 14, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference elected Michael Collins as the next conference president after David Ripley’s decision to begin retirement. Collins officially began his duties as president on July 15, 2019.
Michael Collins has a vast amount of experience at both the local and conference levels. He recently served as senior pastor for the Pinehouse Drive Adventist church in Saskatoon. In addition to pastoral work at several churches in the United States, Collins has served as general vice-president for the Middle East and North Africa Union in Lebanon from 2013 to 2017. During his time as vice-president, Collins held additional responsibilities, including security and crisis management coordinator, ministerial and stewardship director, acting director of the Lebanon Section, and acting treasurer of the union.
“I feel very humbled to be asked to take on the responsibility of leading this conference, but am gratified to know I’ll be working together with a committed team. Evelyn and I ask for your prayers, and pledge to serve God’s cause and His people to the best of our abilities,” Collins shared.
From 2010 to 2013, Collins held the position of president of Gulf Field in the United Arab Emirates and president of the South Sudan Field in Uganda from 2006 to 2011.
Pastor Michael Collins was born in Connecticut, U.S., and has been married to his wife, Evelyn, for 44 years. They have one son, Henry.
“I know Michael and am aware of his service to the church throughout the world. I believe that he will provide good, effective service to the church in a timely fashion. I think the committee made an excellent choice,” remarks Mark Johnson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Manitoba and Saskatchewan comprises approximately 4069 members, 42 churches, and four schools. Their mission is to carry out the commission of Christ to lead people to salvation in Jesus, teach them Biblical faith and the Christian lifestyle, equip them to serve their churches and communities with their God-given abilities, and prepare them to meet their soon-coming Lord.
For more information, contact:
Stan Jensen, Communication Director
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
905 433 0011