Kinlock’s Korner
AEC THRIVE: Proclaim, Empower, Prepare
Last year was a banner year in Allegheny East for baptismal growth! We more than doubled our membership growth year over year! Because of the evangelistic efforts of AEC pastors and churches, total membership growth in 2025 was almost 2,000 new members conference wide---a 15 year high! To God be the glory!! AEC led the Columbia Union in Pentecost 2025 evangelistic meetings and led the Union in total baptisms in 2025! Last year Baltimore area pastors led a city-wide initiative to reach Baltimore residents resulting in many souls for the kingdom. Several pastors also held Compassion evangelistic meetings. Our ethnic-based churches also saw huge baptismal growth led by AEC's Hispanic, Haitian, African, Korean, and Asian pastors and churches. This year our conference is believing God for an even greater 2026 harvest!! Our theme is AEC Thrive: Proclaim, Empower, Prepare. We are believing God for Spirit-led church growth that allows our conference to thrive by proclaiming the everlasting gospel, empowering our communities through faith, love, justice, and service, and preparing the world for the second coming of Christ! Join us in this gospel mission work by praying for a loved one, witnessing to a neighbor or co-worker, starting or joining a small group Bible study, inviting someone to church, or sharing your testimony with an acquaintance—we all have work to do. May God bless our AEC family as we THRIVE by re-focusing on sharing Christ's love and light in these final troubling times!
President Kinlock preaches at MD Central Korean church
Dr. Kinlock and family recently worshipped with the Maryland Central Korean SDA family in Gaithersburg, MD. Led by Senior Pastor Kwang Kim and Associate Pastor Donwong Kang, the church is a vibrant multi-generational faith community. Dr. Kinlock joined Pastor Kim in the ordination of several new church elders. The worship service featured beautiful music by the church's young adult choir and the youth string ensemble. The congregation was teeming with children, youth, young adults, and seniors. Dr. Kinlock preached a message from Luke 22:31-32 inspiring members on how to have faith in seasons of crisis. After the service, the Kinlocks were treated to an authentic Korean lunch with the church family. The Allegheny East conference has seven Korean congregations across its territory with hundreds of Korean members--a vibrant picture of our diversity.
Elders Kinlock and Williams meet with Hispanic Ministerium
Elder Kinlock and incoming AEC Ministerial Director, Dr. Ron Williams met with AEC's Hispanic pastors. The Hispanic pastors had an opportunity to meet Dr. Williams and discuss how he will support their leadership and pastoral efforts. The pastors were excited for this support and collaboration and expressed their appreciation for the inclusive spirit within the Allegheny East Conference. Elder Kinlock shared the various evangelistic and educational initiatives within the conference, including IMPACT Philly Hispanic, a city-wide evangelistic effort to win souls for Christ in the city of Philadelphia this Fall. Kinlock and Williams prayed together with the pastors and then connected over a fellowship lunch
The Kinlocks join the Emmanuel Spanish family for worship
The work of gospel mission continues strongly at the Emmanuel Spanish SDA Church in Mt. Ranier, Maryland. Under the leadership of Pastor Ramon Escalante, the congregation consists predominantly of Hispanic members. Elder Kinlock joined the Emmanuel members for their worship service where he preached a message of inspiration and hope in dark and distressing times. He encouraged the members to hold on to their faith and trust God through the storms and challenges of life. Following the Sabbath service, the Kinlocks joined members for lunch and their weekly community distribution.
Kinlock joins Protests to support Immigrant communities
Dr. Kinlock joined many community members in DC who came together to speak out against the aggressive enforcement actions targeting immigrant communities. Kinlock shared, "In times like these, people of faith must use their voice to defend the vulnerable and marginalized".
Jesus El Camino members Pray for Forty Days
Elder Kinlock came together with the members of the Jesus el Camino church for their "40 Days of Prayer" services. Members of the church gathered online for 40 days to seek the power of God to move in their congregation.
President Kinlock represents AEC at Annual Conference President's Mtg
This year's North American Division Conference President's meeting was held in Corpus Christi, Texas. For several days the 59 conference presidents in the NAD met to discuss fiscal and growth challenges across the division that impact churches, colleges, and universities. Conference presidents shared different initiatives around evangelism and organizational change that were having a positive impact across the Division. Elder Kinlock remarked, "We're experiencing a great transition in the NAD where the Baby Boomer generation is moving into retirement and Generations X and Y are coming into church leadership. This transition requires flexibility, innovation, and strategic retention and partnership with the Baby Boomer generation to ensure critical institutional memory isn't lost. We have great challenges, but I see greater opportunities!"
Regional Presidents meet with new General Conference President
The presidents of the nine Regional conferences met with newly elected GC president, Erton Kohler at the General Conference headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. The meeting was an important opportunity for the presidents to introduce the ministry and history of Regional conferences. The chair of the Regional President's council, Dr. Carlton Byrd (Southwest Regional Conference president), led the conversation with a video https://youtu.be/8XFXg7oQNHw of the history of regional conference ministry. Dr. Kinlock shared that Regional conferences are incredibly diverse with members, pastors, and churches from Korea, Romania, the Philippines, India, Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. Dr. Kohler remarked that he was enlightened to learn of the tremendous impact and legacy of the regional work. The leaders discussed how they can continue advancing Christ's gospel mission both regionally and globally. Elder Kohler looks forward to meeting again with the regional leaders next year at our Adventist HBCU, Oakwood University.
Dr. Kinlock worships with the Maranatha Adventist Fellowship SDA church
The Kinlocks joined the members of the Maranatha Adventist Fellowship SDA Church in Bowie, MD for Sabbath worship. Led by Pastor Uzooma Erondu, this predominantly Nigerian congregation has ministered to the Bowie community for three decades. Members dressed in colorful Nigerian attire and worshipped the Lord with vibrancy. Filled with an array of gifted youth and young adults, the Kinlocks were blessed by the musical diversity of the church. The campus sits on several acres of land and church members shared their plans to renovate and expand their existing sanctuary. WIth the faith and vision of this congregation, Elder Kinlock assured the members that God will provide all they need to expand their kingdom impact!
