The Advent Christian General Conference (ACGC) Executive Council gathered in Charlotte, N.C., February 9-12 for its first meeting of 2026. The council meets twice a year to provide leadership and oversight for the work of ACGC staff, while seeking the Lord’s direction for our worldwide family of churches.
President Rev. John Gallagher presided over the sessions, which began each day with Scripture and prayer. The council received reports and updates from staff and superintendents, as well as recommendations from two previously appointed task forces.
Declaration of Principles
The first item of business, a proposed new Declaration of Principles, initially presented by Rev. Tom Loghry in September 2025, seeks to serve as a clarifying and catalytic resource for denominational identity and unity.
In keeping with the denomination’s by-laws, the council appointed a task force to review the proposed Declaration of Principles. The council received the task force report, and following discussion and one minor edit, the Executive Council finalized the proposed Declaration of Principles and voted unanimously to forward it to the delegate body for consideration at the next regular General Conference session (Triennial 2026), initiating the formal notification process required for any change to the Declaration of Principles.
Notification of the proposed change has been mailed to churches, conferences and associate members, and will be mailed again three months and one month prior to the triennial convention. Adoption of the new Declaration of Principles would require a 75% affirmative vote from convention delegates.
Organizational Task Force
The council also received and reviewed the final report from the organizational structure task force, which began its work in 2024. The task force concluded that the current denominational structure has limited unity, accountability and coordinated mission, and made recommendations to clarify shared beliefs, strengthen accountability and create a more sustainable and unified framework for ministry. You can read the report by clicking HERE.
Minimum Ordination Standard
Lastly, the Executive Council adopted updated Recommended Minimum Ordination Standards for conference ministerial committees to bring greater unity and consistency to the ordination of ministers across the denomination. Rooted in ACGC’s bylaw responsibility to provide minimum criteria for ordination, these standards establish a shared baseline while allowing each conference to determine its own processes. The goal is to strengthen accountability, reduce variation among conferences and promote greater cohesion in the licensing and ordaining of clergy.
Leadership Transitions
We give thanks for new Executive Council member Rev. Darrell Young, who now serves as the regional president for the Eastern Region. We also honor Mr. C.J. Nicely, Appalachian region representative, who completed nine years of faithful service on the council. Please join us in thanking the Lord for both Darrell and C.J., along with every member who sacrifices time and energy to serve the denomination.
Executive Council Members
President – Rev. John Gallagher
Recording Secretary – Rev. Tom Loghry
Appalachian Region – Rev. Travis Hutcheson (President), Mr. C.J. Nicely (Representative)
Central Region – Rev. Ray Bezanson (President), Mrs. Judy Stone (Representative)
Eastern Region – Rev. Darrell Young (President), Mrs. Debbie Reed (Representative)
Southern Region – Rev. Paul Dean (President), Mrs. Penny Batten (Representative)
Western Region – Mr. Dave Crimi (President), Rev. Schad Russell (Representative)
Members-At-Large – Rev. Josh Cheney, Rev. Steve Epting, Rev. Johnson Raju
Regional Superintendents
Appalachian – Rev. Matt Broadway
Central – Dr. Bill Norwood
Eastern – Rev. Tim Soucy
Southern – Rev. Joe Pritchett
*Please remember that you may contact anyone on the Executive Council for needs, questions or concerns related to our denomination.
