Salem and Canaan Unite for Three Weeks of Prayer, Service, and Evangelism
Captions:
Guest speaker Pastor Jean-Fritznel Appo called listeners to choose Christ and His kingdom.
The campaign reflected the combined work of pastoral leaders, ministry teams, volunteers, and members from both congregations.
Scenes from the July 10 baptismal service, when 19 candidates publicly committed their lives to Christ.
From June 27 through July 11, 2026, the Salem French and Canaan Seventh-day Adventist churches joined together for a 12-night biblical conference titled “Deux Trônes, Une Âme,” or “Two Thrones, One Soul.”
The conference followed a week of prayer, bringing the district through three weeks of concentrated prayer, worship, outreach, and evangelism. Following the Week of Prayer, the district began Sabbath, June 27, with Visitors’ Day during the morning worship service, and the biblical conference officially opened later that Saturday night. The journey came with challenges the churches expected and others they did not. Still, the Lord ordered each step, and the district answered His call: “We will go.”
The meetings took place at Salem French Seventh-day Adventist Church in East Orange, New Jersey. Under the leadership of district pastor Dr. Wilfrid Louis Jean, members of both churches worked side by side to welcome visitors and support the mission.
Guest speaker Pastor Jean-Fritznel Appo centered his messages on the image of two competing thrones, challenging listeners to consider who truly rules the heart: the world or Jesus Christ. Throughout the series, he preached on salvation, the conflict between good and evil, the return of Christ, and the promise of eternal life.
The conference took place during intense summer heat and major World Cup matches, both of which could have affected attendance. Yet members and visitors continued to gather, and the district remained focused.
That mission extended beyond the pulpit. Each evening, visitors received refreshments, food, and household provisions through the church pantry. Gift cards were also provided, including gas cards to help ease transportation costs. Those needing further support were connected with social services and other community resources.
During a difficult economic season, Salem and Canaan believed it was important to care for the whole person. The churches sought to reflect the compassion of Christ not only through preaching but also through practical service, dignity, and care.
Members invited family and friends, provided transportation, prayed with visitors, and served throughout the nightly programs. Elders, musicians, ushers, hospitality teams, prayer leaders, pantry volunteers, media personnel, Bible workers, and other ministry leaders all contributed to the effort.
The district also used Planning Center and the North American Division’s THRIVE Interest Management system, paired with homegrown analytics, to strengthen attendance tracking and follow-up. Salem and Canaan are pleased to be the first two churches in AEC to adopt the NAD THRIVE system.
Together, these tools gave leaders a clearer view of who was attending, who was returning, and where additional follow-up was needed. More importantly, they helped the district respond to people with greater care and consistency.
A Harvest for the Kingdom
The spiritual harvest was celebrated across two meaningful services. On Friday, July 10, 19 candidates from Salem and Canaan entered the waters of baptism, publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ before their families, church leaders, and the congregation.
On Sabbath morning, July 11, those same 19 newly baptized members shared in Communion for the first time as Seventh-day Adventists. The moment marked more than the end of an evangelistic campaign. It welcomed them into a new life of faith and fellowship within the church.
Those 19 souls were the purpose behind the prayer, preaching, planning, service, and sacrifice.
For three weeks, Salem and Canaan prayed, served, preached, and pressed forward. The challenges were real, but so was God’s faithfulness. At the close of the conference, the district rejoiced over 19 souls gained for the kingdom of God.
The meetings ended, but the work of discipleship, follow-up, and community service continues.
Submitted by Alker-Kelly Antoine