KINGSTON, Jamaica — Pastor Melvin Howard Francis is the newly elected president of the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and will serve in the position for the next quadrennium.
His election took place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during the Seventh Quadrennial Session of the East Jamaica Conference, held at the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston.
The two-day Session, which runs from July 8 to 9, brings together delegates from across the Conference to receive reports from officers and departmental directors, elect leaders for the next quadrennium, consider proposed amendments to the Conference’s Constitution and Bylaws, and conduct other official business.
Pastor Francis succeeds Dr Meric Walker and assumes the presidency after serving as Executive Secretary of the East Jamaica Conference since 2022. In that role, he also carried responsibility for the Human Resource portfolio.
Following his election, Pastor Francis received a congratulatory embrace and handshake from Dr Walker before addressing the delegates.
In his acceptance remarks, Pastor Francis acknowledged what he described as the leading of the Holy Spirit and expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him.
“It is the Holy Spirit who chooses leaders for the Church, and we have been engaged in a series of prayer meetings for about five weeks now. If God chooses to work this way, I have fully accepted the will of Almighty God,” he said.
“I want to express gratitude to each one of you for your love, your prayers and your support. Please remember that, as we work together, the Church is in good hands—not my hands, but God’s hands.”
He continued: “Together, we will work, pray and go until the Church militant becomes the Church triumphant. God bless you. Thank you for your support and your vote of confidence. By the grace of God, we will continue to move the mission forward.”
A Journey of Faith, Service and Leadership
Pastor Francis’s election marks another significant chapter in a life of ministry shaped by faith, perseverance and dedicated service.
He was raised by his parents, Lester and Linette Francis, in Point Hill, St Catherine. Following the death of his father in 1991, the family relocated to Temple Hall in St Andrew. It was there that he was baptised during a Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic series, an experience that significantly influenced the direction of his life.
Pastor Francis attended Golden Spring Primary School and Oberlin High School. Although he initially hoped to pursue a career in agriculture, he later responded to what he believed was God’s call to gospel ministry and enrolled at Northern Caribbean University.
While pursuing his studies, he worked as a plumber in the university’s Plant Services Department to help finance his education. Despite the demands of balancing work and study, he remained committed to completing his ministerial training.
After graduating from NCU in August 2008, Pastor Francis began his ministry as an intern pastor, serving the New Haven, Half Way Tree and Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist churches.
Following 11 months as a ministerial intern, he was appointed pastor of the Florence Hill Circuit of Churches. He later served in several other pastoral districts, including Everton Park, Macedonia, Morant Bay and Meadowvale.
Over the years, Pastor Francis has served in several leadership capacities, including Zone Leader and Executive Committee Member. He also served as President of the Ministerial Professional Association in 2018 and again in 2022.
His ministry has been marked by extensive evangelistic work and recognition from the Conference, Union and Division for outstanding pastoral service.
He was raised by his parents, Lester and Linette Francis, in Point Hill, St Catherine. Following the death of his father in 1991, the family relocated to Temple Hall in St Andrew. It was there that he was baptised during a Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic series, an experience that significantly influenced the direction of his life.
Pastor Francis attended Golden Spring Primary School and Oberlin High School. Although he initially hoped to pursue a career in agriculture, he later responded to what he believed was God’s call to gospel ministry and enrolled at Northern Caribbean University.
While pursuing his studies, he worked as a plumber in the university’s Plant Services Department to help finance his education. Despite the demands of balancing work and study, he remained committed to completing his ministerial training.
After graduating from NCU in August 2008, Pastor Francis began his ministry as an intern pastor, serving the New Haven, Half Way Tree and Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist churches.
Beyond his denominational responsibilities, Pastor Francis also serves as a volunteer chaplain with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, extending his ministry of spiritual care and support to members of the organisation.
In 2022, he was elected Executive Secretary of the East Jamaica Conference, a position he held until his election as president.
Pastor Francis is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree through the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling and Social Work from The Mico University College and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, with a concentration in Pastoral Ministry, from Northern Caribbean University.
He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from NCU and a Train the Trainer certificate of competence from HEART Trust.
Pastor Francis is married to the former Christine Curtis, and they are the parents of two sons, Samuel and Jadon.
As he assumes leadership of the East Jamaica Conference, Pastor Francis brings to the presidency years of pastoral, evangelistic and administrative experience. His life and ministry have been guided by the biblical principle, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength,” a philosophy that has become a hallmark of his leadership journey.
His election places him at the helm of the East Jamaica Conference as the organization begins another four years of mission,