Dr Kirk Thomas has been elected President of the British Union Conference, bringing more than 30 years of pastoral experience and a vision centred on biblical discipleship, evangelism, and mission.
On Thursday 2 July 2026, delegates at the Tenth Quinquennial Session of the British Union Conference (BUC), held at the Atrium Hotel, Heathrow, elected Dr Kirk Thomas as President of the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Dr Thomas assumes the role following his service as President of the South England Conference (SEC) in September 2023. He is a seasoned pastor with more than 30 years of pastoral experience, having previously served in the Inter-American Division before pastoring in the Willesden district of churches in West London. He was then called to serve as the Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director in the SEC, where he set up the School of Evangelism before taking up varied roles in the British Union Conference, including Evangelism, Personal Ministries, Publishing, Sabbath School, Adventist Mission, Church Growth, and Discipleship.
Speaking shortly after his election, Dr Thomas expressed his gratitude to the Nominating Committee and the delegates, outlining the priorities that will shape his leadership over the next five years. Echoing the sentiments of the General Conference President, Dr Erton Köhler, Dr Thomas said:
"It is a humble privilege to be elected as the new BUC President. We want to be grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission. I'm sure that God will bless the British Union Conference with the power and presence of His Holy Spirit as we embark on His mission."
An ordained minister with more than 30 years of pastoral ministry, Dr Thomas is widely recognised for his commitment to evangelism, leadership development and equipping church members for effective mission. His vision is to empower every member with practical tools to share the gospel while strengthening the Church's commitment to biblical discipleship and community impact.
Dr Thomas holds degrees from the University of Southern Caribbean, Inter-American Theological Seminary and Andrews University. He is also a board-certified Clinical Pastoral Chaplain and a Level 3 trained counsellor.
He has been married to his wife, Carol, a radiographer, for 31 years. Together they have four children.
The British Union Conference congratulates Dr Thomas on his election and prays that God will richly bless his ministry as he leads the Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland through its next quinquennium.
Watch the first words from our new BUC President here.