The Atlantic Union Conference Executive Committee, at its May 9, 2018, regular meeting, elected David McKenzie to serve as the union’s new Youth Ministries department director. His responsibilities include emphasis on youth and young adult ministries, including public campus ministries. He comes to the Atlantic Union from the Northeastern Conference, where he has been serving as youth ministries director since 2016.
McKenzie’s educational experience includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Caribbean Union College (currently University of the Southern Caribbean), a Master of Divinity degree (equiv.) from Andrews University, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Andrews University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership from Andrews University.
His professional experience includes serving as a pastor in the Northeastern Conference; pastor/minister of religion in the Guyana Conference in Georgetown, Guyana; a literature evangelist in the Northern New England area for the Review and Herald Publishing Association’s Home Health Education Services; a teacher for the Ministry of Education in Guyana; an intern counselor and mental health therapist for the Andrews University Community Counseling Center in Berrien Springs, Michigan; an intern probation counselor for the Berrien County District Court in St. Joseph, Michigan; and more.
McKenzie and his wife, Bernice (Quashie), Ph.D., are the parents of two children, Nathanael and Nyah.
He succeeds Andrés Peralta, who went on to serve as associate youth director for Junior Youth at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. As the Atlantic Union Conference Youth Ministries director, McKenzie will provide leadership, vision, and strategic planning in ministry to and support for youth and young adults in the Atlantic Union.
We pray that God will guide him and his family as he begins his ministry in the Atlantic Union territory.
Communication Department
Atlantic Union Conference