Delegates at the British Union Conference’s 10th Quinquennial Session, held at the Atrium Hotel, Heathrow, from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 July 2026 also voted on leadership roles in Education, Health Ministries and the Irish Mission.
Among those re-elected to serve during the next quinquennium were Lorraine McDonald as Education Director of the British Union Conference (BUC), Sharon Platt-McDonald for Health Ministries, and Pastor Ben Pontanar as Executive Secretary of the Irish Mission.
Lorraine McDonald re-elected as BUC Director of Education
Following her re-election as Education Director for the British Union Conference, Lorraine McDonald begins a new five-year term with a renewed commitment to strengthening Adventist education across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
A highly respected educational leader, Lorraine brings more than 35 years of experience across primary, secondary, further and higher education. Throughout her career, she has served in a range of leadership roles, including Initial Teacher Training, senior school governance and as an Assistant Principal Examiner for AQA. Her breadth of experience continues to equip her to lead Adventist education with professional excellence and a deep understanding of the changing educational landscape.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lorraine is a committed disciple of Christ with a passion for sharing the gospel. Before her appointment as Education Director, she was an active member of Handsworth Seventh-day Adventist Church in Birmingham, where she served in several ministries, particularly Personal Ministries. She also continues to teach the ‘It’s Biblical’ Sabbath School programme on Hope FM radio.
Lorraine’s vision for Adventist education is rooted in the belief that education is about far more than academic achievement. She is committed to ensuring that every BUC school provides high-quality, Christ-centred education that is firmly rooted in Scripture, informed by strong teaching and learning, and intentionally develops young people with a biblical worldview.
During the next five years, Lorraine will continue to focus on raising the profile of Seventh-day Adventist education, widening access through innovative learning models, strengthening the financial sustainability of Adventist schools, supporting families with more flexible educational pathways, and developing structures that secure the long-term growth and mission of Adventist education while preserving its distinctive Christian identity.
Reflecting on her re-election, Lorraine said: “Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of serving for another five years. There is so much still to accomplish, and I look forward to working alongside our schools, churches, leaders and members as we continue to invest in the education and spiritual development of the next generation.”
Sharon Platt-McDonald re-elected to serve in Health Ministries
Sharon Platt-McDonald has been re-elected to continue serving as Director in Health Ministries at the British Union Conference, bringing to the role a wealth of professional healthcare experience, spiritual commitment and a long-standing passion for health, hope and healing.
Sharon has served as Director for Health at the BUC since 2006. A registered nurse, midwife and health visitor, she also has experience in health service management and is a certified health coach. Over the years, her ministry has combined professional expertise with a deep commitment to supporting churches and communities in practical, compassionate and spiritually grounded ways.
As a motivational speaker, mentor, editor and author of more than 30 books and publications, Sharon has developed a wide range of resources for churches and communities, including health DVDs, manuals, booklets, leaflets, health series, video resources and initiatives focused on bereavement care and emotional resilience.
Her work has also had an impact beyond the British Union Conference. Three of her initiatives – the Woman of Virtue Programme, the Forgiveness as Healing course and Ministry Boxes have been embraced by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and rolled out globally for the world Church.
Now entering her fifth term at the BUC, Sharon gives thanks for God’s leading over the past 20 years and celebrates the testimonies of healing and transformation that have come through Health Ministries programmes and resources. She also expresses appreciation for the support of her current part-time secretary, Jackie Ramharacksingh.
In the coming term, Sharon’s Health Ministries focus will include mental wellness, physical fitness, nutrition, child health, older adults’ wellbeing, natural therapies and lifestyle, sexual health, and the continued development of Health Ministries guidelines.
Her aspirations include developing a ‘Caring for Carers’ intervention framework to safeguard the wellbeing of those caring for others, finalising a Terminal Care and End of Life publication, creating tools to assess the impact of health initiatives, and reinstating a project to celebrate and report on the ‘Adventist Advantage’ and the positive outcomes of the Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle in the UK.
As she looks ahead to this new term of office, Sharon solicits the prayers of members across the British Union Conference for God’s continued leading in the work of Health Ministries.
Pastor Ben Pontanar re-elected as Irish Mission Executive Secretary
Pastor Ben Pontanar has been re-elected to continue serving as Executive Secretary of the Irish Mission, bringing to the role a deep commitment to mission, pastoral ministry and the administrative life of the Church.
Pastor Pontanar is a dedicated and experienced minister whose journey in ministry began at a young age. A fourth-generation Adventist, he was born in General Santos, a fishing port city in the southernmost part of the Philippines. His family’s active involvement in local ministry shaped his early years, leading him to participate in evangelistic events as a Bible reader, child preacher and youth evangelist.
These formative experiences helped prepare him for a life of ministry. He later completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from South Philippine Adventist College and went on to serve in a range of ministry roles, including Literature Evangelist group leader, Bible Worker, Bible Instructor, College Dean of Men, Theology Instructor and Head of Theology in Mindanao.
Pastor Pontanar was called to serve in the Irish Mission in 2008 and has now served there for almost 16 years, ministering in churches and districts across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
At the heart of his ministry is a deep commitment to what he describes as “the heart of Christianity and Adventism: grace and hope.” He believes these are among the most powerful forces for transforming lives and having “the most practical and positive influence on the people around us while we wait for Jesus’ Second Coming.”
Pastor Pontanar is married to Joy, and together they have two sons: Ron, who is studying Linguistics and Social Anthropology at university, and Luke, who is home-schooled.
The British Union Conference congratulates Lorraine McDonald, Sharon Platt-McDonald and Pastor Ben Pontanar on their re-elections and prays that God will continue to guide, strengthen and bless their ministry during the next quinquennium.
