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Lake Union Herald
  • About Us
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Our History
    • Our Beliefs
    • Policies
    • Contact Us
  • Directory
    • Administration
    • Departments
    • Office Personnel
    • Executive Committee
    • Conferences
    • Lake Union Entities
  • Services
    • Treasury
    • Revolving Fund
    • Public Affairs and Religious Liberty
  • Events
  • Vimeo
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
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Meet Our Team

  • Akram Khan

    Akram Khan

    Finance Manager

    View Bio: Akram Khan

  • Allison Payne

    Allison Payne

    Assistant Youth Director

    View Bio: Allison Payne

  • Ariel Padron

    Ariel Padron

    Lake Region Conference Associate Youth Director for Multicultural Ministries

    Pastor Ariel Padron is currently pastor of Chicago Logan Square Spanish Church. A native of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Pastor Padron began denominational service in June, 1994 and graduated from the Adventist Seminary in Cuba in 1998. He is married to the former Mileydis Rodriguez and they are proud parents of an adult son, Moses…

    View Bio: Ariel Padron

  • Brianna Kittleson

    Brianna Kittleson

    Assistant to the Michigan Public Campus Ministries Director

    arodriguez@misda.org

    View Bio: Brianna Kittleson

  • Chad Bernard

    Chad Bernard

    Michigan Conference Youth Director

    cbernard@misda.org

    Chad originally grew up in Flint, Michigan and graduated from Great Lakes Adventist Academy. His master’s degree in curriculum and instruction is also from Andrews, and eventually, his Ph.D. in leadership will be, too. As dedicated as he is to impacting young people, no one else on earth holds a more special place in his…

    View Bio: Chad Bernard

  • Charles Thompson

    Charles Thompson

    Indiana Conference Youth Director

    pastorcharliet@gmail.com

    Pastor Charlie is the proud father of three daughters, and devoted husband to Trish. His greatest desire is to model the life of Jesus. There is no greater joy than to see youth and young adults fall in love with Jesus; and become His disciples.  URL 1/departments/youth-ministries/

    View Bio: Charles Thompson

  • Craig Harris

    Craig Harris

    Michigan Conference Club Ministries Director and Lake Union Club Ministry Coordinator

    charris@misda.org

    View Bio: Craig Harris

  • Cynthia Baskin

    Cynthia Baskin

    Administrative Assistant

    cynthia.baskin@lakeunion.org

    (269) 473-8225

    View Bio: Cynthia Baskin

  • Earl Baldwin

    Earl Baldwin

    Lake Region Associate Youth Director

    Pastor Earl Baldwin is currently the pastor of Elkhart Bethany Chapel and South Bend Praise Fellowship. God has used Pastor Baldwin and his family as agents of change to bring healing and hope back to the lives of many through evangelistic meetings, counseling, personal Bible study and small group studies. He is married to Jennikka…

    View Bio: Earl Baldwin

  • Joi  McClellan

    Joi McClellan

    Lake Union Young Adult Representative to serve on the NAD Executive Committee

    View Bio: Joi McClellan

  • Josant Barrientos, Jr.

    Josant Barrientos, Jr.

    Illinois Conference Youth Director

    View Bio: Josant Barrientos, Jr.

  • Joshua  Guerrero

    Joshua Guerrero

    Appointed by Wisconsin Conference | Public Campus Ministries Coordinator

    jdguerrero95@gmail.com

    View Bio: Joshua Guerrero

  • Kara Shephard

    Kara Shephard

    View Bio: Kara Shephard

  • Latita Thomas

    Latita Thomas

    Lake Region Conference Youth Department Administrative Assistant

    lthomas@lrcsda.com

    Latita has served in youth ministries for more than 20 years. First as Adventist Youth Leader at her local church (Independence SDA Church in Chicago), and then Vice President for CYF (Chicagoland Youth President). in 2006, she was voted as president in 2007 and served until 2017. During my time as CYF President. She was…

    View Bio: Latita Thomas

  • Leeroy Hernandez

    Leeroy Hernandez

    CAMPUS Missionary Training Program Director

    lhernandez@misda.org

    View Bio: Leeroy Hernandez

  • Ron Whitehead

    Ron Whitehead

    Lake Union Children’s, Youth & Young Adult Ministries Director

    ron.whitehead@lakeunion.org

    Ron Whitehead has served in four NAD unions as a local pastor, conference youth, and church ministries director. He has also served the NAD as associate youth director and directed seven International Pathfinder Camporees. At Andrews University, Ron has served as Assistant to the President for Spiritual Life. Currently, he serves the Seventh-day Adventist Theological…

    View Bio: Ron Whitehead

  • Sandrew King

    Sandrew King

    Lake Region Conference Youth Executive Coordinator

    URL 1/directory/departments/youth-ministries

    View Bio: Sandrew King

  • Stacey-Ann DePluzer

    Stacey-Ann DePluzer

    Illinois Conference Camp Ministry & Children Ministry Director

    sdepluzer@ilcsda.org

    URL 1/departments/youth-ministries/

    View Bio: Stacey-Ann DePluzer

  • Trish  Thompson

    Trish Thompson

    Indiana Conference Assistant Youth Director

    View Bio: Trish Thompson

  • Valeria  Cruz-Gonzalez

    Valeria Cruz-Gonzalez

    Interim Admin. Assistant to Executive Director Ron Whitehead

    Valeria@cye.org

    WorkPhone269-362-1596

    View Bio: Valeria Cruz-Gonzalez

  • Zack Payne

    Zack Payne

    Wisconsin Conference Youth Director

    zpaynem@gmail.com

    Zack Payne earned his BA in Theology from Southern Adventist University (2011) and his MDiv from the Andrews University Theological Seminary (2017). He and his wife, Allison live in the Oxford, WI with their three children: Arthur, Eleanor, and Walter. His hobbies include exploring the outdoors, photography, creative and journalistic writing, and playing music. His…

    View Bio: Zack Payne

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  • Meet Our Team
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Lake Union Conference

8450 M 139, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103
269.473.8200
contact@lakeunion.org
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