Central States Conference of Seventh Day Adventists

Central States Conference of Seventh Day Adventists Official Central States Fan & News Page The Central States Conference was officially established on Sunday November 9, 1952. Rowe as its President. Pastor C.E.

However its true origins date back to early 1946. That year the Central Union Mission submitted a request to the General Conference to establish the Central States Mission. The request was approved and the mission was organized on January 1, 1947 in St. Louis Missouri with 789 members and Pastor T.M. Two years after the mission had been established Pastor F.L. Bland was asked to lead the six state

mission territory. Under Bland’s visionary leadership, the mission grew and flourished to over 2000 members in the next three years. Bradford was brought in to be the Central States evangelist and he continued to help grow the field baptizing people from Missouri to Colorado. Elder G.E. Peters from the General Conference offered great support and counsel to the new mission and was instrumental in helping it move from mission to conference status. At the time of its establishment the Central States Conference was comprised of six states. Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and Wyoming. In 1952 the African American population of those six states was 423,565. The task and goal of Central States was to tell these people of the love of God. At its organization Central States had 17 churches and two companies and employed 20 full time pastors, bible workers, teachers, and office personnel. The conference continued to grow and develop in the following years and it became clear that God was leading and guiding its mission. Walter W. Fordham was elected president in 1959 and brought a fresh emphasis to evangelism. Under his leadership, new churches were established in Wichita, Kansas and Pueblo, Colorado and a school was established in St. Louis. In 1964 Elder E.E. Cleveland from the General Conference Ministerial Association conducted an evangelist field school in St. Louis where over 150 people were baptized resulting in the organization of the Shreve Avenue Church. William S. Lee became the fourth president of Central States in 1966, he continued to encourage evangelism and also led the construction of a new office complex. Donald L. Crowder became the fifth president and the conference experienced a huge tithe increase under his leadership. Bye the end of 1974 the membership had grown to 4,246. Samuel Meyers from California became the next president and oversaw a huge renovation of Camp Shady hill. Meyers put a new roof on the camp pavilion, built a two story book store, a snack bar and a registration complex in an effort to enhance the camp. Sherman H. Cox the seventh president of Central States emphasized big city evangelism. One of the sadder times for many Central States members was when the conference had to sell Camp Shady Hill. Camp Shady Hill was a big youth camp where the entire conference gathered every summer for a two-week convocation. There they would worship and play together and enjoy the many outdoor activities that the camp had to offer. However when the financial cost of upkeep became too much to bear, the
conference had to sell the camp. Be that as it may, a few years later under the leadership of President Paul Monk, the conference purchased its current office location. This purchase enabled Central States to not only have administrative offices but to also establish a Church School and house a Youth Center for the community. The membership and field continued to grow and each of the Presidents brought something special to advance the work in the region. Under the leadership of President J Alfred Johnson II the conference started the project 100 for 1, a project to get every member personally involved in the ministry of the church. Elder G. Alexander Bryant served Central States as president for over 11 years and brought tremendous stability and growth to the conference. Dr. Charles Drake III served as Conference President from 2009 to 2012. He initiated a theme of “Share the Hope” and encouraged growth through Evangelism, Stewardship and Nurture. In June of 2012 Elder Maurice Valentine II was elected president of Central States Conference. Elder Valentine has established four core values for Central States Conference. Accountability Integrity, Honesty and Excellence. Central States Conference currently has over 50 employees and oversees almost 40 churches in the nine state region of Mid America. Its membership has now grown to sixteen thousand members.

09/07/2026

Yesterday Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church in KCK, highlighted and celebrated their Deacons & Deaconesses. It was a blessing.
We appreciate the dedicated leadership of Sis Andréa Parks.

A general word to all our Deacons & Deaconesses throughout Central States Conference of Seventh Day Adventists -
thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus…serving the sick, visiting the shut-in, comforting the grieving, encouraging the hurting, and extending love to those who need it most.

Whether preparing a meal, offering a prayer, sharing a kind word, helping around the church, or ensuring that God's house remains in order and ready for worship, your work makes a lasting difference. You help carry burdens, bring peace in difficult seasons, and lighten the load on the Pastor's hands through your faithfulness and dedication.

Your compassion, commitment, and care reflect the heart of Christ in powerful ways. Never underestimate the impact of your service. Every visit, every prayer, every act of kindness, and every sacrifice matters.

We see you, we honor you, and we deeply appreciate you. Keep serving with passion, purpose, and perseverance, knowing that God is using your faithful service to touch lives, strengthen His church, and advance His Kingdom. You are a treasured blessing, and your role truly matters. ❤️🙏🏽✨

09/02/2026

Happy 50th Birthday, Pastor Joseph Ikner!

Today, we celebrate 50 years of God’s faithfulness reflected through your life as an exceptional administrator, visionary Vice President, dynamic preacher, compassionate pastor, mentor and a steady leader.

Thank you for leading Central States Conference with strength, humility, wisdom, and a heart for people. May this new decade bring greater joy, deeper impact, renewed strength, and immeasurably more of God’s favor than you could ask or imagine.

Here’s to 50 years of purpose and so much more ahead. Happy Birthday, Pastor Ikner!

08/30/2026
August 30, 2026We are excited to announce that the Central States Conference Executive Committee voted the following act...
08/30/2026

August 30, 2026

We are excited to announce that the Central States Conference Executive Committee voted the following actions. Please pray for our pastors and their families as they begin this new phase in ministry.

We praise God for CAY Youths under the leadership of Pastor Byron Wright. Awesome Day🙌🏾🙌🏾
08/30/2026

We praise God for CAY Youths under the leadership of Pastor Byron Wright. Awesome Day🙌🏾🙌🏾

08/28/2026

Join us TOMORROW for the Central Area Youth Federation!

Come experience a powerful day of worship, inspiring messages, great fellowship, and fun as our youth and young adults answer the call to STAND OUT for Christ!

Worship begins at 11:30 AM
Lunch at 1:45 PM
Prayer & Popsicles Community Outreach at 3PM
AYS Bible Quiz-A-Rama immediately afterward

New Beginnings SDA Church
209 W. 21st Street N., Wichita, KS 67203

Bring your family, invite a friend, and spend the entire day with us! We can’t wait to worship with you!

08/26/2026

Join the Central States Conference Family as we enter into the UPPER ROOM EXPERIENCE through our monthly corporate Prayer Meeting at the end of each month!

Host:
PR LUCKSON EMMANUEL
CSC Prayer Ministry Leader
Covenant SDA Church
Calvary SDA Church

Speaker:
ED DONNA BROW
MAU Women’s Ministries Leader

Copyright License: 11676202
Steaming Plus License: 11676219

What happens when a church asks, “What does our community actually need?”For five days, Bethesda Temple in Omaha opened ...
08/26/2026

What happens when a church asks, “What does our community actually need?”

For five days, Bethesda Temple in Omaha opened its doors and welcomed more than 500 people from the community.

There were diapers and sneakers.
Gas and food cards.
Health screenings and school supplies.
Food, family activities and fellowship.

But there was also prayer, worship, encouragement and opportunities to respond to Jesus.

This is what living the gospel can look like—meeting practical needs while building relationships that point people to Christ.

Read how Bethesda Temple turned five days of giving into something much bigger: connection, hope and community.

Central States Conference of Seventh Day Adventists

Address

3301 Parallel Pkwy
Kansas City, KS
66104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19133711071

Website

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