“For the first time in the 47-year history of Jamaica, a Seventh-day Adventist will hold the nation’s highest office,” Mark Kellener, Editor of Adventist Review wrote in the latest issue of the publication. “Patrick Allen, President of the Church’s West Indies Union, is expected to take office as Jamaica’s sixth Governor General in late February. Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, announced his appointment in a Parliament session on January 13, 2009.”

Dr. Patrick Allen

Dr. Allen was quoted as saying: “It is astounding and I don’t think I can wrap my head around it, and I’m not sure what the Lord is doing here, but He has some Joseph and Daniel role for me to perform. I am just praying about it and making myself available for God to use me in whatever way he chooses best.”
He will resign his present position as West Indies [SDA] Union President and a special executive session was scheduled for Tuesday this week to name a successor.

Dr. Allen, who turned 58 on February 7, replaces Sir Kenneth Hall, who was appointed Governor General in February 2006, and who reportedly resigned for health reasons. “Ironically, Sir Kenneth presented Allen with the Order of Distinction on the country’s 2006 Heroes Day for his contribution to the a Church and religion in Jamaica,” the article in The Adventist Review stated.

Israel Leito, President of the Inter-American SDA Division, was quoted as saying: “The Church serves the community and we can do this from within the church organisation or as individuals in other activities.”

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