NEW HAMPSHIRE – The Advent Christian Eastern Region held its 73rd annual convention on October 24–25, 2026, at the Alton Bay Christian Conference and Retreat Center. Approximately 100 people attended the event, which began with breakfast and a morning worship service. Mr. Jonathan Tymann, executive director of Alton Bay, opened with a devotion focused on our heritage and hope. Following congregational singing led by Rev. Roger Brown, accompanied by Rev. Clayton Blackstone on piano, Rev. Lou Going delivered a message from Romans 8:31–39 entitled “The Gospel: The Strength of the Believer’s Life and the Motive and Power to Fulfill Our Ministries.”
After lunch, ACGC Executive Director Justin Nash presented a report on the ministries of ACGC. The afternoon featured multiple workshops:
- Rev. Dr. Adrian Dixon, ACGC church planting coordinator, led a session on church replanting.
- Rev. Dr. Erik Reynolds, pastor of Oak Hill Bible Church in Oxford, Mass., taught on intentional mentorship in the local church.
- Rev. Dr. Doug Foss, senior pastor of Hope Church in Lenox, Mass., presented a workshop based on his book The Christian Choice: Humility or Hubris, examining fundamental differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.
- Rev. Nathaniel Bickford, pastor of Whitefield Christian Church in Whitefield, N.H., offered an overview of the Whitefield Declaration.
A banquet followed in the dining hall Friday evening, accompanied by a worship service led by Rev. Brown, his daughter Shara Jameson, her husband and three of Roger’s grandchildren — three generations leading the convention in joyful congregational singing.
During the banquet, Mr. Tom Zikan received the Lifetime Servant Award for more than 60 years of faithful service as treasurer or assistant treasurer at Hope Church in Lenox, Mass. He has also served as treasurer of the New Life Conference for 17 years and bursar of the Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies (BICS) for 24 years.
Rev. Steve Brown, Rev. Bruce Burks and Rev. Floyd McIntyre were recognized for 50 years of faithful and persevering service in gospel ministry. Dr. Dixon closed the evening with a message titled “How a Church Dies: A Deep Dive into the Church at Ephesus.”
Saturday morning, 72 delegates attended the annual business meeting. Rev. Andy Rice reported for the Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies (BICS), highlighting its mission to provide a unique learning experience for emerging adults. The program offers a year of spiritual formation and academic instruction for high school graduates — grounding students in God’s Word, nurturing growth through community and encouraging ordered living according to God’s wisdom. This year’s class of 14 is the largest in more than a decade, with several students being children or siblings of BICS alumni. BICS is also excited to resume its Bible Lands Trip to Israel after a two-year hiatus.
Rev. Darrel Young, pastor of Highland Cliff Advent Christian Church in Windham, Maine, was elected regional president. Mr. Larry Knowles, president of Advent Christian Retirement Communities (ACRC), reported on the ministry’s ongoing success at Vernon Homes (Vernon, Vt.) and Meetinghouse Village (Kittery, Maine) — award-winning and innovative elder-care communities providing a full continuum of care.
Mr. Dan Thorpe, executive director of Berkshire Christian, reported on recent initiatives, including an updated scholarship policy designed to better serve students pursuing ministry training in today’s evolving educational landscape. Berkshire is also partnering with ACGC to provide financial support for the church planting residency program.
Mr. Tymann shared encouraging updates from the Alton Bay Conference and Retreat Center, celebrating a successful summer season. Rev. Dr. John Jones, ERA treasurer, presented the 2025 financial report and the proposed 2026 budget.
Rev. Roger Brown was honored for his many years of service on the ERA board. A resolution of appreciation was also passed recognizing Mrs. Kathleen Irvine for her faithful work as office administrator during a season of transition. Finally, Rev. George Karl was honored for nine years of faithful service as regional president.
Rev. Tim Soucy, ERA regional superintendent, closed the convention with a message from Mark 6:50–52. He reminded attendees that believers in Jesus have no reason to fear because Jesus is the great “I Am” who is with us, providing all we need to fulfill his calling. He urged all to slow down, recognize his greatness and provision and trust the future fully to him.
Overall, the convention was a rich time of fellowship, worship, learning, encouragement and hearing from the Lord through the faithful preaching of his Word.
