The Iowa-Missouri Conference Executive Committee recently appointed Pastor Bryan Gallant as the new ministerial director. This decision came as Pastor Lee Rochholz stepped into the role of conference president on July 1, creating an opening for the ministerial director position on the conference’s leadership team.
Pastor Gallant, who assumed his new responsibilities on August 1, brings a wealth of diverse experiences that uniquely positioned him for this role. His journey with the Iowa-Missouri Conference began in 2015 when he and his wife, Penny, arrived to serve as refugee coordinators. This initial position laid the groundwork for a multifaceted ministry within the conference.
Following his time as refugee coordinator, Pastor Gallant went on to pastor the Kirksville and Macon churches, demonstrating his ability to connect with and guide diverse congregations. In 2020, he moved to the Rolla, Bourbon and Sullivan district, further broadening his impact within the conference.
Pastor Gallant’s journey in ministry spans not only decades but also continents. After serving as student missionaries in Micronesia, he and Penny embarked on a diverse career path. His roles included teaching at a K-12 school in Yap, Micronesia, serving as mathematics chair at Wisconsin Academy, and working as a missionary with Adventist Frontier Missions in Cambodia. Pastor Gallant’s expertise in Adventist-Muslim relations led to positions with The Quiet Hour and the North American Division, culminating in his role as director of an Interfaith Study Center in Indonesia. This rich tapestry of experiences, coupled with his degrees in Mathematics Education and Islamic Studies, has uniquely prepared him for his new role as ministerial director.
“What I’m looking forward to most is just walking closely with the pastors and their families and ministering with them,”
Pastor Gallant shared when asked about his new role. He emphasized his belief in the importance of nurturing healthy, whole individuals who can naturally be a blessing to those around them.
As Pastor Gallant embarks on this new chapter, he carries with him not only his professional experiences but also the support of his family. Married to Penny for 35 years, they have weathered personal tragedies and joys together, including the loss of two children and the blessing of four living children, two of whom are now adults.
