Roger R. Wade has accepted the invitation of the Mid-America Union Conference to join their team as director of Church Ministries. Beginning in April, he will fill the position that has been open since Hubert Cisneros’ retirement last September.
Elder Wade, who currently serves as associate youth ministries and communication director for the South Central Conference headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, will oversee the MAUC ministries for youth, young adults, families and children, including Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs.
“Mid-America is so blessed to welcome Roger Wade to our union. He is one of the most experienced and gifted youth leaders in North America. The passion he brings to ministry is contagious and our children through young adults will be touched by his leadership,” said Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union Conference.
Born on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies, Wade graduated from Oakwood College (now University) in Huntsville, Alabama, and has worked with youth for the past 38 years as an AY leader, Pathfinder leader, conference Youth Federation officer, youth camp assistant director, conference youth director, and the first director of the National Black Youth Resource Center.
“I have a passion for the church’s most precious resource—the youth,” said Wade.
Wade has also pastored congregations in multiple conferences and was ordained to gospel ministry in 2003. He has written numerous articles for youth ministry publications and conducts seminars and workshops for youth and their leaders. In addition, he serves as a consultant to the North American Division Youth Ministries Department and the Black Adventist Youth Directors’ Association. He has volunteered at the Oshkosh International Camporee in Wisconsin and served as camporee director for the BAYDA’s Knowin’ Him Pathfinder Camporee, along with coordinating other large events.
Wade is married to the former Lorraine Lawrence of Neptune, New Jersey. They have a college-age son, Anthony.
