Eastern Regional Association

September 2026 Newsletter

Eastern Regional Association

PO Box 411

Rollinsford, NH 03869

ERA Office Cell Phone: 603-441-8191

Don't forget October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Pastor Spotlight and Devotional

Rev. Roger Brown

(He was honored at the 2026 ACGC Triennial for his over 50 years in ministry as an Advent Christian Pastor.)

Rev. Roger Brown

 Now a veteran Advent Christian pastor (57 years and counting), ministry continues at Calvary Bible Church in Meredith, New Hampshire. His family consists of his wife, Catherine, 6 children, 20 grandchildren, and presently 3 great-grandchildren.   He graduated from Berkshire Christian College in 1969, continued studies with Antioch School, and has invested time in many continuing education opportunities over the years. Roger is the President of Mechanic Falls AC Camp Meeting Association and serves on the Marantha Conference board.  His present pastorate has experienced 27 years of shepherding. He is semi-retired and serves in partnership with his son, Joshua, who is the full- time pastor of the church.  

 Being a visual person, word pictures and illustrations aid me in understanding biblical truths and concepts.  Over the years I have benefited from the vivid descriptions given us in the Hebrew language.  My BCC professor, Carl Ehle, ignited in me a love of the language and his infectious zeal teaching it.  Later I have enjoyed wonderful books by Lois Tverberg (such as Sitting At the Feet of Rabbi Jesus and Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus) that informed students of the Bible on the Jewish words and concepts that invigorated Jesus’ teaching.

  We certainly don’t want to imitate the errors of Judaizers in our day, but we neither should reject and ignore the richness of our “roots” as they inform and illustrate biblical teaching. At CBC we have on several occasions celebrated with a Passover Seder to connect the dots between Old Covenant and New Convent fulfillments in the Messiah. A couple of times we celebrated Purim: enjoying a multi-generational gathering to highlight the amazing account of Esther, Mordechai, and Haman. One of our Life Groups became involved in the meaning of Hannukah complete with Jewish foods, games, and teaching.  

  Those who are deeply interested in the Bible must use ‘BIBLE IN CONTEXT’ approaches in discovering the meaning of the text. This involves taking time to dig into language, culture, history, customs, etc.   When my children were asked to find something in their rooms they would return with the report that they couldn’t find it.  We then would proceed to their room and often would find it promptly.  Our title for them was “surface lookers”. It sure seems like that is how so many Christians treat Bible Study.

  It goes without saying, that my trip to the Holy Lands 18 years ago with BICS, added layers of rich understanding to the Bible. I wouldn’t trade that for a million dollars, or more!

   So, I would like to focus our attention on a biblical image that is illuminated by such observations and study. This summer at our VBS in Mechanic Falls we looked at Psalm 23 and the shepherd/ sheep theme. It was a Celtic oriented exploration and I was the Irish Sheepherder.  Many people have written books, preached sermons, and did Bible studies to discover the truths that wait to be learned. In our modern, technologically oriented world sheep, shepherds, and flocks seem so very distant.  It’s not easy for us to relate.

  What isn’t so obvious at first it the relentless vigil needed to protect the flock from predators. Also, scouting out good pastures, running water, and quiet, safe place to stop along the way is serious business for the shepherd. Sheep wander over and over again. They need guidance “big time”.  How we need someone to RESTORE OUR SOULS!  How we need someone to show us where its safe and where its not. How we need someone to redirect us when stubborn and selfish pursuits distract us. How we need an ON-DUTY shepherd to provide the right environment for us to eat in the “presence of our enemies”.

   The ultimate Shepherd is Jesus Himself. That goes without saying. Jesus saw that the people were like “sheep without a shepherd”.  So, He is the One who “lays down His life for the sheep” Literally!  God’s people are always targets of spiritual predators. Our best solution is to remain close to and in obedience to God’s Son.  A shepherd carefully uses his VOICE to lead, calm, and guide his sheep.  This listening involved intimacy with and loyalty to the shepherd.  Let that sink in for a while.

   Pastors and elders are called to be under-shepherds in the family of God. Peter in his letter states it clearly. 

“BE shepherds of God’s flock that is in your care, watching over them not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”  1 Peter 5: 1-4

Rev. David Young Jr. is compiling the Necrology Report honoring Advent Christians who have fallen asleep in Christ. The report will be presented at the 2026 ERA Convention in October. Please email the names of church members who passed away between October 2025 and October 2026 to Pastor David Young at pastor.dave.sacc@gmail.com, and a copy to acerasecretary@gmail.com.

Thank you. 

2026 Eastern Regional Convention

Walk In A Manner Worthy Of Your Calling

October 30 & 31

at

The Emmanuel Advent Christian Church

Rochester, NH 03869

How many delegates does my church get for the

2026 ERA Convention?

ARTICLE IV.    MEMBERS

The Corporation shall be composed of annual members representing the various constituencies of the Region.

Section 1.    Each member Conference shall be entitled to four delegates. Conferences shall be represented by members of their Executive Board whenever possible. The Board of Directors shall define member Conference boundaries for the purpose of recognition of delegates. Any change in Conference boundaries shall be discussed with the Conference in question prior to making such change and the Conference shall reserve the right of appeal to the Regional Judiciary Committee for redress of any grievances.

Section 2. Each church in good standing in a member Conference shall be entitled to one delegate, plus one additional delegate for every thirty members or major fraction thereof.

Section 3.    Each ordained minister in good standing within a member Conference and residing in the Region and each pastor serving an Advent Christian Church, recognized mission, or new church plant, and holding credentials in good standing shall be an annual member of the Corporation and shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 4.       Each affiliated Advent Christian organization or institution shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 5.    Advent Christian organizations located within the boundaries of the Eastern Region and serving a constituency within the Eastern Region may apply for annual membership in the Corporation as an associate member by officially requesting such membership in writing to the Board of Directors. Upon favorable recommendation by the Board of Directors and vote of acceptance by the delegate body, they shall be entitled to one vote. Once recognized as an annual member, an organization shall be entitled to such recognition indefinitely or until written request for withdrawal be made to the Board of Directors or until the Board of Directors suspends such recognition.

Suspension of recognition and therefore membership by the Board of Directors shall require a two-thirds vote of the Board and written notification shall be given to the organization within thirty days of the action.

Section 6.    Each officer shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 7.    No member shall represent more than one Church, Conference, institution or organization at the same time.

Section 8.    Annual membership shall expire at the beginning of the next annual meeting of the Corporation or at a special meeting in lieu thereof. An annual member may resign at any time in the interim by submitting a written notice of resignation to the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The resignation shall take effect when accepted by the Board. 

Section 9.    All delegates must have membership in good standing in an Advent Christian Church within the boundaries of the Eastern Region.

What Happened at the 2026 Advent Christian General Conference Triennial Convention

August 25, 2026, By: Thomas Loghry

(ACGC Executive Counsel Recording Secretary)

The following summary highlights the actions taken by the Advent Christian General Conference delegate body at the 2026 Triennial Convention. A total of 211 delegates and 70 guests participated in the meetings:

• Special voting rule for the 2026 Declaration of Principles ruled unnecessary; amendments out of order.
• Entering the Triennial convention, it was anticipated that a vote would be taken on adopting a special rule that would make the vote on the 2026 Declaration of Principles an up/down measure. This was ultimately set aside as the parliamentarians determined that our bylaws indicate that making amendments at that stage would not have been in keeping with the prescribed process for making changes to the Declaration of Principles, found in Article XII of the ACGC bylaws.
• Amendment to the Enduring Resolution on Human Dignity
• The Executive Council’s proposed amendment (authored by Karen Hall and Tom Loghry) to the Enduring Resolution on Human Dignity was adopted by the delegate body after the addition of the word “such”. See final updated version here.
• The 2026 Declaration of Principles failed to garner sufficient support.

Click link below to see full aticle

We had a time of prayer for the staff of ACGC.

(left to right}

---------------------------------------------------------------

ACGC's Board President- John Gallagher

Church Plant Coordinator- Adrian Dixon

Leadership Development Director- Michael Alix

Finance Director- Dawn Rutan

Communications Director- Meredith Broadway

International Missions Director- Jeff Walsh

Africa/Europe Area Director- Bryce Whiting

Mission's Engagement-Catherine Rybicki

And

The ACGC Executive Director- Justin Nash

not on stage:

Nancy Brooks-Administrative Assistant

Faye Richards- WHFMs Coordinator

Cara Brock- Publishing and Design

Craig Libby- Latin America Area Director

Continue to remember these folks in your prayers on a regular basis

Rev. Tim Soucy, ERA Superintendent brought us a Devotional on

Tuesday, August 18th. Below are various pictures taken throughout

the week in the main sessions, parents introducing their sons, celebration of 50 or more years in ministry, standing if you were serving on various boards, WHFMs Meeting, Business Meetings, Missionaries and the last three pictures are behind The Ridgecrest Convention Center... up, up, up to the lookout pavilion.

The Advent Christian 12th National WHFMs Triennial Conference

August 18, 2026

Karen Hall, Former President of the National WHFM's

The 12^th National WHFMs Triennial Conference opened with a warm welcome from Mrs. Karen Hall, who introduced this year’s theme: “A Tiny Seed, A Powerful Deed: The Story Continues.” Rev. Justin Nash, Executive Director of ACGC, then offered greetings and heartfelt thanks for the funds raised in an effort to bring Pastor Johnson and Amos to the conference. Music leader Rev. Heath Simpson began with “Little Is Much” and later performed “Dream Small,” a powerful new song Karen had asked him to learn for the event. Jeff Walsh, International Missions Director, also brought greetings and thanked Karen for her many years of faithful service as WHFMs President.

Jeff then shared a story from a recent trip to India. He explained that about 120 years ago, WHFMs member Ella Louise Jones arrived there and became the longest-serving female missionary in India, serving for 47 years from 1906 to 1953. Among her many contributions, she supervised the construction of a well that initially produced no water. Rather than becoming discouraged, she gathered several believers to pray around it, and the well filled with water. A marker remains there today in her memory: “In loving memory of Ella L. Jones,” along with Colossians 3:4: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Jeff also named the past year’s Bread of Life recipients: three churches in India; Oro Bible College; two churches in Myanmar; Agape House and St. Carlos in the Philippines; a homeless shelter in Japan; ministries in Mexico; and Agape House in Papua New Guinea. He then introduced Rowena Cabrizos, a missionary to the Philippines.

Rowena began by thanking everyone for their loving support. She affirmed that their labor is not in vain and expressed gratitude for their continued prayers. Marking Agape House’s 25th year, she shared several updates: “Four people have graduated from MTI, and another four will be attending. One of the first four helped plant a church.” Rowena then used pottery as an analogy. She explained that while Americans may discard broken pottery, her friends in Japan carefully gather every piece, including the smallest fragments. Using a special tree-based adhesive, they painstakingly reassemble the pottery, allow it to be cured in a safe place, and decorate the repaired seams with gold. The restored piece becomes stronger and more beautiful at its broken places. In the same way, God gathers our broken parts, restores us, makes us stronger, and creates an even more beautiful story.

Jeff returned to introduce the mission’s speaker, Kristi Ellis Libby. Kristi, originally from Ashland, Maine, is a missionary nurse in Mexico; her husband, Craig Libby, serves as ACGC’s Latin America Area Director. When called to missionary nursing, Kristi told God she would go anywhere except Tijuana. She has now served as a missionary nurse for 30 years—29 of them in Tijuana, Mexico. Kristi organized her message around “Three Seeds.”

Seed #1: Showing Up

When the Holy Spirit nudges you to go—often at an inconvenient time—and you are unsure what to do, ask, “What is the right thing to do?” His answer is, “I want you there.” Isaiah 43:1 says, “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Hospital visits, parties, funerals, coffee meetings, supporting a divorced friend, and listening to familiar stories all provide opportunities to be present. We may not know what to say or do, but what matters is showing up. It is a tiny seed with a powerful impact, so do not neglect it.

Seed #2: Service

One of Kristi’s outreach efforts involves setting up medical tents in parks for dental care, general medicine, consultations, vision services, and other specialties, depending on the volunteers available. A boy who uses a wheelchair often attends with his mother. He receives medical care and encourages others as they wait in line. His quiet mother always covered her face, and the team assumed she was protecting herself from illness so she could care for her son. At one event, a dentist who specialized in bridges volunteered. Although he expected to make bridges throughout the day, the team had limited supplies. Craig spent most of the morning searching through the other tents and his office for the materials the dentist needed. Once enough supplies were gathered, the dentist spent about an hour or two creating a bridge for his first patient. When Kristi and Craig entered the tent for the presentation, they were surprised to see the boy’s mother in the dental chair. She was the only person that day to receive a bridge, and the Lord knew how much she needed it. Her eyes lit up as she smiled brightly and showed them her new teeth.

Serving others shows them that they matter, are worthy, and are seen.

Seed #3: Sharing the Gospel

Kristi explained that every park outreach also includes prayer tents. After receiving medical care, people are invited to a prayer tent to hear the gospel. Outside those tents, one can hear tears of brokenness, healing, and forgiveness. Without this spiritual focus, their efforts would be humanitarian work alone.

Her final challenge was: “If everyone around you is already a believer, find an outlet where you can…”

Show up.       Serve.       Share the gospel.

This portion of the conference concluded, and the WHFMs delegates were asked to register out in the hallway to go into another conference room to take part in the Business Session.

Submitted by: Deanna L Davis

The Eastern Region WH&FMS held its first annual meeting in Alton Bay, New Hampshire, on August 10, 1948. Annual meetings continued until June 2015, when the organization ceased operations. The WH&FMS was founded in Friendship, Maine, in 1897 by Sarah K. Taylor and initially included both men and women. Because Maine state WH&FMS leaders did not want to disband, the organization has continued. Today, four local groups report to the Maine State Conference at the following churches:

1.     Ashland, ME

2.     Goodwins Mills, ME

3.     Simonds, New Brunswick, Canada

4.     South Eliot, ME

The four groups have 31 members and have contributed $40,000 to four major collections: Penny Crusade; Bread of Life, which supports about 10 ministries; Christmas in October; and United Ministries. This total does not include funds spent on local or special projects. Contributions to these ministries may also be made through the national WH&FMS at

Donate - Advent Christian General Conference.

Each year, the groups complete reports on finances, meetings, use of devotionals provided by our women, special projects, and potential meeting speakers. Many groups use Zoom to receive current mission updates from our area directors and Jeff Walsh.

At our triennial meeting at Ridgecrest in August, we learned that we were missing the names of former WH&FMS members who had died because their churches no longer had active groups and we had not been notified. If your church once had an active group and any former members have died, please send their names to me or to frichards@acgc.us.

For questions, contact me at ruthssmith@roadrunner.com or 207-468-1361.

Thank you.

Ruth Smith

Eastern Region Liaison to the National WH&FMS Advisory Board

**Any of the Zoom groups would love to have you join them, just reach out and I will connect you to these groups.  

Penny Crusade 2026

Agape House Ministries

Penny Crusade is the largest fundraising mechanism for Advent Christian missions. Last year, North American Advent Christians raised more than $540,000 to sustain ministry works in more than 20 countries.

We invite you to use these promotional materials not only to fundraise, but to help cultivate a mission-minded culture within your church. 

Have you ordered your churches materials?

2026

Penny Crusade Totals

Annual giving as of

August 31, 2026:

$351,173.96

$371,300.44- 2025

$371,183.62 - 2024

Goal is $570,000.00

What is United Ministries?

United Ministries Totals for August

Where in the World is

Superintendent Tim Soucy...

Please click below to complete the Ministerial Report for Pastors and also the Annual Church Report. Conferences also need to submit a yearly report as well.

New England AC Camp Directory

The New England AC Camp Directory gives a quick summary of Advent Christian Camps, including dates, speakers, bible teachers, worship leaders, and camp weeks for teens, kids, and VBS. It also provides links to websites for schedules, registration, and more info. Contact us if you have updates for this directory.

Up Coming...

Concerts in New England

Please send us pictures if you attend one of these concerts

Ministry Training Institute

For those who feel called to church leadership but find the traditional seminary path challenging, MTI offers a compelling alternative. Our 2-3 year online training program provides college-level education with a flexible schedule and affordable tuition. Participants develop essential skills for church leadership and receive comprehensive training in all aspects of Christian growth and development.

ANTIOCH BASED LEADERSHIP TRAINING FUNDS AVAILABLE

The ERA has available funds to aid our churches in their Antioch Based Leadership Training. These funds are available for attending the BILD International in Ames, Iowa, purchase BILD curriculum, and First Principles. If these funds can be of help to your church please send a request for funds to the ERA Treasurer, John Jones. His email address is: pastorjoj@gmail.com.

Eastern Regional Association

P.O. Box 411 Rollinsford, NH 03869

Office Cell Phone: 603-441-8191