Church members from across the South England Conference gathered at Newbold College on 12 January for the SEC Evangelism Expo 2025. The event featured workshops, opportunities to connect with departmental leaders, and a powerful testimony from keynote speaker Dr. Aaron Chancy, who shared his journey from despair to faith. SEC President Dr. Kirk Thomas encouraged attendees to embrace the mission of Christ in their homes, churches, streets, and hearts.
Hundreds of members from across the South England Conference (SEC) packed the Newbold College gymnasium during the SEC Evangelism Expo 2025 held in Bracknell on Sunday 12th January. The SEC Evangelism Expo, which was also live-streamed on the SEC Media YouTube channel, gave insight into the strategic focus for the year ahead. Local church officers and members in attendance were also provided with an opportunity to meet with SEC Leadership and attend workshops which would equip them for effective evangelism and community outreach.
After a rousing song service, Pastor Heli Otamo-Cszmadia set the tone of the meeting with a devotional which encouraged members to work in partnership with God so as to be active in the winning of souls for the Heavenly Kingdom. Musical items by the Reading SDA Community Choir (Why I Sing) and two young people from the Southampton SDA Church (The Prayer) further reinforced the Gospel Commission to go and tell the world of a risen saviour who is soon to return to this earth to take home those who have been long waiting for Him.
Judy Clement, OBE, spoke of the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, as mandated by the United Nations, from all forms of abuse with training provided for all Pastors and Elders in attendance on the day. Newbold College Principal, Dr. Stephen Currow welcomed everyone to the venue while also highlighting some of the courses they have on offer to those who have an interest in studying Biblical based subjects to equip them in ministry to those needing to know about Christ.
SEC President, Dr. Kirk Thomas revealed that this year’s Camp Meeting would be taking place at Newbold College during the first week of the school summer holidays (21st-27th July 2025) and that all are invited to come to what promises to be an uplifting atmosphere of worship and spiritual revival for those attending. The strategic plan and vision set out for 2025 is for a membership to be inspired for mission in their homes, churches, on their streets and in their hearts with Christ at the centre of all that they do. SEC Leadership will provide support through in person and online training while also identifying congregations across the SEC that exemplify best practice which other churches can visit, learn from and model.
Joined by his wife, Shackarah, special guest speaker, Dr. Aaron Chancy, testified of growing up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church but being lured away from the faith as a teenager down a path of criminality, drug addiction and prison. In 2008, he found himself at rock bottom and suicidal. Out of his despair, he sent a text message to his father saying that he “felt lost and friendless.” 5 minutes later, he received a reply to his text from his father which read, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” From that moment, Dr. Chancy did not look back – he was baptized before later achieving a PhD having previously dropped out of school.
He and his wife currently reside in Philadelphia, USA, with their young children, where they take the message of Christ to the streets, as living testimonies of the good God can do in the lives of those desiring a change.
“As you return to your homes, let people know that Jesus Christ is alive and coming back again,“ said SEC President, Dr. Kirk Thomas, who then added: “We know that Christ is alive and not dead because He lives in you and me – so Go SEC and Be Inspired for Mission.”
By: Darell J. Philip