Pastor Glen Octavious Samuels was elected as President of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists during its Third Quinquennial Session held on February 17, 2026, at the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist Church.
After being recommended by the nominating committee, his election was ratified by a vote of 113 to 40 by delegates. When called to the podium, Samuels, in a gesture of humility, stooped to wipe dust from the shoes of his predecessor, Pastor Everett Brown, who in turn laid his hands on Samuel’s head in blessing.
“I am just my mother’s son,” said Pastor Samuels, who often hails his mother’s strong, godly influence on his life.
He acknowledged that the work ahead is great, but that God is leading.“God has his work in his hands. He is in charge of all of us. We commit ourselves to Him to lead a church in a nation that is yearning for more than what is,” he said.
He also expressed his need for divine guidance and the church’s support. “I’d like to thank you for your prayers. If you used to pray for Pastor Brown 7 times a day, pray for me 21 times,” he requested.
He was congratulated by the President of the Inter-American Division (IAD), Pastor Abner De Los Santos, who committed to working directly with him as he adjusted to his role as union president.
Samuels comes to the role having served as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Jamaica since 2014. During his decades-long pastoral ministry, he has also served as District Pastor, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director, Executive Secretary,Ministerial Secretary, and Personal Ministries Director of the West Indies Union Conference, among many other notable roles and achievements.
He is the evangelist for the long-running ‘Footprints of Hope’ Series, which he has presented locally and internationally. Notably, the Series was conducted as an evangelistic effort for the Inter-American Division from January 15 to February 25, 2022, resulting in the baptism of 4, 213 persons.
On October 19, 2017, he was recognized by the Government of Jamaica and conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) for outstanding contribution to Religion and Community Service.
Samuels holds a Bachelor of Theology from West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University), and a Master’s in Theology from Andrews University, Michigan, USA. He is supported in ministry by his wife Durcella, and their three beautiful daughters: Gleneika (Faith), Glenadene (Hope), and Glenella (Charity).