- Please click on the words “mid-week announcement” to see the latest announcements!
- Please click on the words “attached flyer” to see the letter from Oakwood University
- Please click on the words “attached flyer” to see the South Central Conference Office & Riverside Chapel 80th Anniversary Celebration flyer
- Pastor Furman Fordham Selected as South Central Conference President
For Immediate Release
Date: September 14, 2025
South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Welcomes Pastor Furman Fordham as President-elect
Nashville, TN — The South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is proud to announce the election of Pastor Furman Fordham, Director of Church Ministries and Mission Development, as the next President of the Conference. Pastor Fordham will begin to serve on January 1, 2026. Until that time, he will participate in a mentorship period under the guidance of President Elder Benjamin Jones, Jr., to ensure a smooth transition into this sacred leadership role.
An advocate for mission-focused leadership, Pastor Fordham has spent his career empowering congregations, building impactful ministries, and fostering meaningful community engagements. As Director of Church Ministries and Mission Development, his innovative approach to enhancing spiritual growth and outreach has left a lasting impact across the Conference.
“Pastor Fordham exemplifies the values of Christ-centered leadership and has a passion for both spiritual development and mission-driven engagement,” stated Elder Benjamin Jones, Jr. “I believe that God is leading South Central into its future, and I have complete confidence that the Holy Spirit will guide Elder Fordham and our leadership team to continue the great legacy of mission and growth that characterizes the South Central Conference,” Jones continued.
“Simultaneously humbled and honored, honored and humbled, I don’t know which one to put first because they’re both equally the same, and I’m relying on our conference’s prayers,” said Pastor Fordham.
During the transition period, Pastor Fordham will engage directly with congregations, pastors, and communities across the Conference, listening to their perspectives and building a shared vision for the future of the Conference.
The South Central Conference, based in Nashville, Tennessee, functions as the regional office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida counties west of the Apalachicola River. It has over 30,000 members across 143 congregations and is one of eight conferences within the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
###
For additional information, please contact:
Roger R. Wade, Communications Director
South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
615.226.6500 x136
rrwade@scc-sda.org
Blessings! - Official Statement from the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
In these difficult times, our hearts are heavy as we witness acts of political violence and the tragic assassinations of individuals, such as Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, the violence against the husband of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, other government members, and the devastating events surrounding the death of Charlie Kirk. We offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and communities who are grieving during this time.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we are called to live by the principles of love, peace, and justice as revealed in the life of Jesus Christ. Our Fundamental Beliefs affirm the sacredness of human life, the dignity and worth of each individual, and our responsibility to treat all people with respect and compassion (Fundamental Beliefs #1 and #14).
We at the South Central Conference strongly condemn all acts of violence, whether motivated by political, racial, or ideological reasons. Such actions contradict the teachings of Christ, who calls us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). The increasing rhetoric and division we see in society today do not reflect God’s vision of reconciliation and harmony among His children.
We encourage our members and the wider community to prayerfully oppose violence in all its forms. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). This starts with how we speak, listen, and interact with each other, even when we disagree.
Remember that our ultimate loyalty is not to a political party or leader but to Jesus Christ. As His disciples, we must resist being drawn into the spirit of the world that divides, hates, and destroys. Instead, we are called to be ambassadors of His kingdom, sharing the gospel of peace (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) and living out His command to love one another (John 13:34-35).
Finally, we encourage leaders at all levels to demonstrate civility and unity through their words and actions. As a church, we pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit guides us all toward healing and peace. May the light of Christ’s love fill our hearts and motivate us to be sources of hope in a troubled world.
In this solemn moment, let us reaffirm our commitment to being a people of peace, a community that reflects God’s character, and a voice of hope.
Yours in Christ,
Elder Benjamin Jones, Jr.
President,
South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Blessings! - Thank You from Pastor Furman F. Fordham II – SCC President Elect
Please review the vision document that I presented to our Executive Committee, made available for your perusal:
Vision Link: My Vision for the SCC – Mission First