Every several years the Seventh-day Adventist Church reassigns its pastoral team; however, the assignment of Kevin Bryan, pastor, for the position of senior pastor at New Hope Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was seemingly both unforeseen and unexpected. Following a pastoral stint in New York, the long-time resident of south Florida was thrilled to return home to sun, sand, and sea.
But, what makes this assignment different is exactly what his sermon focus was at his installation on June 27, 2026, a sermon marked by sobering Scriptural references, and a tear-jerking personal testimony of God’s faithfulness in restoring his health after a critical illness a few years back.
As the throng of family members, ministry colleagues, and former parishioners pressed into the sanctuary to witness the solemn occasion, Brent Waldon, Southeastern Conference vice president for pastoral and church development, read the installation charge: “I charge you, as Paul also charged Timothy: Preach the Word in season and out of season. Preach the Word when things go wrong, and problems arise. Preach the Word even when they don’t believe you; and preach the Word ’til the gates of hell fall at your feet — preach the Word ‘til you can’t preach any longer.”
Speaking from 1 Samuel 27:1-12 on the topic “God is With Us,” Bryan drew the congregation’s attention to four central points:
1. God is with us when our fears speak louder than our faith.
2. God is with us in unfamiliar places.
3. God is with us through shared community.
4. God is with us to lead us through the wilderness.
The sermon from the 25-year veteran pastor was a sobering reminder that, while God can protect and use us in any situation, our moral and spiritual health depends on our continual trust in Him.
“As I reflect on my return to south Florida, I am especially grateful to Michael Owusu, D.Min., Southeastern Conference president, for recognizing God’s call on my life, and for affirming the gifts God has entrusted to me .… I deeply appreciate the opportunity to not only serve as senior pastor of New Hope Church, but also to provide administrative oversight for the Elementary School and Early Childhood Center,” concluded Bryan.
A long-time member and church elder, Monica Manning, was thrilled about the possibilities for New Hope, journeying forward. “I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for New Hope as we rally around Pastor Bryan in the Work of the Lord.”
The church, nestled in urban Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and surrounded by exquisite homes, has a reputation for superb hospitality, and fittingly enjoys an idyllic, sprawling space complete with an onsite elementary school and early childhood center.
Southeastern | September 2026
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