The Northern New England Conference Executive Committee met on Sunday, May 15, and elected Gary Blanchard as the newest president of the conference, effective immediately. He succeeds Ted Huskins, who now serves as executive secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference.

Blanchard has served as the Youth and Young Adult Ministries director for the General Conference for the past five years. He has led division youth directors, created resources for youth leaders, and preached around the world at countless youth rallies, camporees, and churches.

Blanchard was born in Portland, Maine, attended Pine Tree Academy, and spent many summers at Camp Lawroweld. His father and mother (Gary and Karen) have been serving in the Northern New England Conference for many years. Blanchard has also served in the conference for two years as the Freeport church pastor and Pine Tree Academy Bible teacher from 2000 to 2002.

Blanchard graduated from Southern Adventist University with a degree in Religion and received a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University. He has more than 20 years of experience working for the church, serving as a pastor, church planting coordinator, and youth ministries director. Territories in which he has served include Maine, New York, Northern California, Texas, and Washington.

Blanchard and his wife, Erica, have three young adult children who are married and living in various places throughout the United States.

“I enjoy leading leaders, training the laity in ministry, and creating mission initiatives. I get excited when others become successful in ministry! I also enjoy inspiring young people with the Three Angels’ Messages and organizing initiatives that ‘rightly train’ them in local church and conference ministry,” Blanchard said.

As president, Blanchard will lead the Northern New England Conference administrative team, directors, and staff overseeing the work in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The membership of the Northern New England Conference stands at 5,320, and the territory currently includes 57 churches, six companies, nine elementary schools, one secondary school, and numerous community-based ministries (Atlantic Union Conference First Quarter 2022 Secretary’s Statistical Report).

The Northern New England Conference invites you to join them in praying for Gary Blanchard as he and his family make the transition to Maine to lead the conference in the Lord’s work.