Ohio Welcomes New Conference President Despite several delays due to travel and social distancing restrictions amid the COVID-19 crisis, members of the Ohio Conference Presidential Selection Committee voted overwhelmingly in April to extend a call to Bob Cundiff to be the next president of the conference. “I’m excited for Ohio in calling Bob Cundiff. He brings with him a deep passion for soul-winning and engaging young adults in the mission of the church,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president and chairman of the selection committee. For the past seven years, Cundiff has served as the president of the Northern New England Conference (NNEC), where he helped stabilize finances, strengthen relationships within conference constituency and personnel, and renew evangelism and church planting programs throughout the territory. Born in Los Angeles, Cundiff moved to Louisville, Ky., at the age of six. Raised in the South, his mother was a loyal Seventh-day Adventist and his father an atheist. At the age of 17, he experienced a radical conversion that later led him into the ministry. Speaking of his humble origins to the committee via Zoom, Cundiff shared, “It’s important to me to remember my roots, remember where I came from.” Testifying he “loves the pulpit,” Cundiff has decades of ministry experience and continues to enjoy preaching up to 30 times a year and is a frequent speaker at summer camps, camp meetings, weeks of prayer and college chapel services. His passion for Adventist Education and young adults was evident during the virtual gathering, as he told the selection committee about a church planting initiative in NNEC focusing on native New England young adults, “Young adults have the power to change this church.” Many selection committee members smiled during the virtual gathering with Cundiff, as he shared how he revived tithe and helped build reserves in the NNEC, and as he spoke about his work with diverse people and churches within his territory. The committee was pleased that, although he keeps very busy, Cundiff makes sure to prioritize his schedule to include time with his family.
Bob Cundiff, pictured with his wife, Tanique, is the new Ohio Conference president.
“Tanique and I are so touched to be invited to serve in the Ohio Conference. These recent weeks of prayer and searching for God’s heart in this matter have led us to a strong conviction that God is indeed calling,” says Cundiff. “Our experience during the presidential search committee interview demonstrates that Ohio is anxious to move forward in growth, unity and discovery of the next phase of God’s will for this great territory. Join us now in praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as we seek to press together and share Christ with a world that is confused and hurting by the COVID-19 crisis. We move forward, remembering that the Bible says in Romans 8:31, ‘If God is for us who can be against us?’” Cundiff is married to the bride of his youth, Tanique, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, and they have three young adult children, Joshua, Lauren and Rachel. He began the transition to Ohio in midApril, utilizing videoconferencing and other technology to remain connected until the pandemic abates and social restrictions are lifted. Cundiff replaces Ron Halvorsen Jr., who left Ohio in December 2019 to return to pastoral ministry.
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