BUC Session delegates elect and re-elect Mission Presidents for Ireland, Scotland and Wales

BUC Session delegates elect and re-elect Mission Presidents for Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Delegates at the British Union Conference Session 10th Quinquennial Session, held at the Atrium Hotel, Heathrow from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 July 2026, voted on the leadership of three Mission fields, electing new Presidents for the Scottish and Welsh Missions and re-electing Pastor Adam Keough as President of the Irish Mission.

Pastor Adam Keough began his term of office serving as Irish Mission President on 1 September 2024, replacing Pastor Dan Serb, who accepted a call to serve as Vice-Principal of Newbold College.

A people-orientated and mission-driven leader, Pastor Keough brings more than 24 years of ministry experience spanning pastoral leadership, youth ministry, executive administration and organisational governance. Throughout his ministry he has been committed to developing leaders, strengthening local churches and helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

A graduate of Newbold College, Adam holds both a BA (Hons) in Biblical and Pastoral Studies and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies. He has also completed a Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management through University College Dublin, together with professional certifications in Compassionate Leadership and Conflict Resolution. He is currently completing a Level 5 EQF Diploma in Corporate Governance, reflecting his passion for combining effective organisational leadership with mission-focused ministry.

Adam has served in the Irish Mission for the past 22 years as a pastor, Youth Sponsor, Executive Secretary and, since September 2024, President. His ministry has taken him across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, having also spent part of his childhood in both jurisdictions. During his years of service he has pastored congregations in Belfast, Larne, Banbridge, Ranelagh and Drumcondra, while also providing leadership for youth ministries across the island of Ireland.

As Executive Secretary, Adam helped strengthen the Mission’s administrative systems, organised Mission-wide leadership conferences and worked alongside fellow officers to develop the Mission’s vision, purpose and values. Since becoming President, he has focused on providing strategic, pastoral and organisational leadership, supporting pastors and local church leaders, strengthening governance and safeguarding, and continuing the Irish Mission’s journey towards Conference status.

Following his re-election as President of the Irish Mission, Pastor Keough reaffirmed his vision for the Church, saying: “Our mission is to make disciples who are rooted in Christ, connected in love, and sent in mission. As the Holy Spirit shapes His Church, our many backgrounds, cultures and nationalities become a living witness to the uniting power of Jesus Christ.”

One of Adam’s greatest motivations is seeing others flourish, both spiritually and personally. He is particularly passionate about developing leaders, empowering church members and creating healthy organisational cultures where mission can thrive.

Adam is fascinated by the books of Genesis and Exodus and enjoys exploring the biblical narrative within its historical context. Outside of ministry he enjoys historical fiction, walking in nature, leadership podcasts and emerging technology. A lifelong Liverpool supporter, he also enjoys following football. Adam is married to Heather and together they have two children, Olivia and Jacob.

Pastor Obinnaya Iheoma elected as new President of the Scottish Mission

Pastor Obinnaya (Obi) Iheoma is a dedicated minister, educator, and chaplain whose leadership is shaped by deep faith, academic rigour, and a heart for people. As the newly elected President of the

Scottish Mission, voted by the British Union Conference delegates at their 10th Quinquennium Session held at the Atrium Hotel, Heathrow, he brings a wealth of pastoral experience, strategic leadership, and community engagement. His return to Scotland marks a new chapter of mission, growth, and spiritual renewal for the churches and communities he now serves.

Originally trained as a Petroleum Engineer (BEng, University of Port Harcourt), he transitioned into education and later into full-time ministry, following what he describes as a clear call from God.

He holds two master’s degrees: an MA in Theology (Pastoral) from Newbold College/University of Wales Lampeter, with research focused on pastoral care in multicultural Britain, and an MA in Management and Leadership in Education from the University of Wolverhampton, complemented by postgraduate qualifications in mentoring, adult education, and teacher training.

Since 2010, Pastor Iheoma has served across the British Union Conference in both the Scottish Mission and the North and South England Conferences. His ministry includes serving as a district pastor for multiple congregations across Scotland, Birmingham, and the West Midlands. He also served as an Area 5 Field Secretary, supporting pastors and more than 30 churches.

His leadership style is marked by strategic thinking, collaborative ministry, and a commitment to nurturing members’ spiritual gifts. He has led initiatives in family ministries, youth development, Pathfinders, marriage enrichment, and community evangelism. One such community evangelism activity is his weekly free online mathematics classes. Over the last six years, he has helped hundreds of children improve their mathematical skills, with some achieving exceptional results in their GCSE and A Level examinations.

Pastor Iheoma is also widely known for his chaplaincy ministry, serving as a Seventh-day Adventist Chaplain at the University of Birmingham, Police Chaplain with West Midlands Police, and as a Commonwealth Games Chaplain (Birmingham 2022). During the Commonwealth Games, he was part of the chaplaincy team supporting athletes and spectators, and his contribution earned him the Spirit of Birmingham Award. His chaplaincy work is characterised by compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a gift for connecting with people of all backgrounds. His ministry at the University of Birmingham has been featured publicly, including a story highlighting his creative act of baking 125 loaves of bread to celebrate the university’s 125th anniversary – an example of his warm, community-centred approach to chaplaincy.

Speaking following his election, Pastor Iheoma said: “It is with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the call to serve as president. I want to take a moment to extend my gratitude to the BUC leadership, to the nominating committee, to the members and to the pastors. In this season I am hoping that we will focus on just three things: prayer, people and mission. Let us be like the city on the hill. Let us be a mission that has been commissioned by God Himself. Let’s walk together as one.”

Pastor Iheoma enjoys table tennis, chess, bird watching, baking bread, balloon modelling, and spending quality time with his wife and two adult sons. His warm personality and ability to connect through humour, creativity, and hospitality make him a beloved pastor and chaplain.

Pastor Jeremy Johnson elected as new President of the Welsh Mission

Following the retirement of Pastor Graham Allcock in March of this year, and the interim three-month term of Pastor Max McKenzie-Cook, delegates at the British Union Conference (BUC) Session voted Pastor Jeremy Johnson as the new President of the Welsh Mission.

Reflecting on his appointment, Pastor Johnson said: “Being called to serve as the newest Mission President is an honour and a privilege afforded to me by the BUC Session delegates 2026.”

Johnson brings to his new role a lifetime of faith and service deep-rooted in his Adventist heritage. His story is one of spiritual legacy, personal calling and a ministry shaped not only by preaching, but by genuine care for people from every walk of life.

Jeremy’s Adventist heritage stretches back through generations and can be traced to the early missionary work in Jamaica, where the Adventist message first took root through the efforts of pioneers sent out in the early years of the Church.

Although ministry was not the most obvious path at the outset of his adult life, Jeremy came to recognise God’s leading and responded faithfully to the call to pastoral service. Before entering ministry, he worked in logistics, but God had other plans, and over the years Jeremy has devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving the Church and its communities. Alongside his wife Sharon, a constant source of strength and support, he has sought to follow wherever God has led, embracing both the joys and the challenges of ministry with humility and commitment.

A graduate of Newbold College, where he undertook his theological studies, Jeremy has served congregations in the Midlands, London, the Home Counties and Wales, including churches in Shrewsbury, Telford and Coventry. In each setting he has been known not simply as a preacher of the Word, but as a pastor with a warm heart for people. His ministry has consistently been marked by approachability, compassion and an ability to connect across generations and cultures. He has a particular gift for engaging young people and supporting those from diverse backgrounds, including members from African and Eastern European communities, helping many to feel seen, valued and spiritually at home within the Church.

Speaking about the mission ahead, Pastor Johnson added: “To lead in the Welsh Mission, where I’ve spent the last 13 years learning about God’s will and purpose for this part of His vineyard, has shaped my objectives for making disciples within our unique and diverse landscape.”

At the heart of Jeremy’s ministry is a sincere desire to make the love of Christ visible not only in sermons and leadership, but in relationships and service. He is a devoted husband to Sharon, a father of two and a proud grandfather, and these family roles sit naturally alongside his pastoral calling.

Looking ahead, Pastor Johnson said: “By God’s grace, I can only ask that we as a mission field utilise our many talents and skills to make God known. I look forward to working with my many ministerial colleagues and members of our churches as we spread the good news of God’s amazing grace throughout the regions of Wales.”