Pastor Glenn Townend has been elected president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s South Pacific Division (SPD).

The announcement comes after the SPD Caucus met in San Antonio, Texas, at 7 pm on Sunday (CST) to recommend a new division president to replace Dr Barry Oliver, who is retiring after nine years in the role.

After a thorough discussion, the Caucus voted to recommend to the General Conference (GC) Nominating Committee Pastor Townend, who currently serves as president of the Trans-Pacific Union Mission (TPUM), based in Suva, Fiji.

The GC Nominating Committee put Pastor Townend’s name to the gathered delegates of the 60th GC Session on Monday. He was voted into the position overwhelmingly, along with the 12 other world division presidents.

Pastor Townend spent years of his youth in Papua New Guinea as the son of missionaries and speaks Melanesian Pidgin.

During his decade as president of the West Australian Conference, he emphasised church planting.

Pastor Townend was elected president of the TPUM in May 2013. He is respected for his visionary leadership and interpersonal skills.

Published by Record staff at Record.net.  Photo Credit: Record Staff.  Article can be accessed at http://record.net.au/items/glenn-townend-elected-spd-president