By Toni Harvey
At 72, Roosevelt Franklin is one of the oldest delegates at the Fourth (Third Quinquennial) Session of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU). His presence is more than symbolic. It is a reminder that as the Church plans its future, it must honour the faith that built its foundation.
In a Session marked by digital voting, video reports, and strategic initiatives to engage a new generation, Franklin represents a living bridge between tradition and transformation. This year marks 60 years since his baptism in 1966 in Spring Gardens, Trelawny, the beginning of a Christian journey defined by steadiness, service, and commitment to mission.
A Lifetime of Service
After his early years in Trelawny, Franklin moved to Montego Bay and joined the Granville Seventh-day Adventist Church. There, he served in Personal Ministries and as First Elder for 20 consecutive years, a testament to the trust placed in his leadership.
His ministry extended beyond one congregation. He was instrumental in the start-up of a church in Pitfour, where he also served as First Elder. Over the decades, he has held leadership roles in at least three congregations. Today, he resides in Trelawny and worships at the Falmouth Seventh-day Adventist Church.
For Franklin, service has never been about position.
“In terms of our message, it is biblically based. It is God’s church,” he said. “The fundamental beliefs that we have are Bible-based. We are on a mission to serve the church… preparing people for the kingdom of God. It is a great opportunity to serve in God’s vineyard.”
Progress Without Losing Principle
Having attended at least three Union Sessions, Franklin has witnessed the Church’s evolution firsthand, from earlier administrations to the present leadership landscape. He notes that while the methods have changed, the core remains intact.
“The primary difference is the technology,” he observed.
From digital voting systems to multimedia reports, the Church has embraced modern tools. Franklin welcomes the advancement but cautions that progress must never replace principle.
“It is good to embrace the technologies,” he said. “But the policies remain the same.”
Guarding the Identity
While hopeful about the future, Franklin believes the Church must guard its distinctiveness.
“We need to refocus more on our messaging,” he said. “In many ways, we are drifting and becoming more assimilated with worldly influences in terms of music, dress, and our whole deportment.”
He worries that the Church’s “shine of distinctiveness” may be fading and calls for intentional re-engagement with its identity.
Central to that effort, he believes, is youth education and discipleship.
“Education of our young people to appreciate Adventism, not just having a nice church service,” he said. “The attrition of our youth from the church is concerningly high.”
His voice reflects a generation shaped when evangelism was at the forefront of church life, and doctrinal clarity was emphasized.
Faith Beyond the Vote
Franklin also urged members to remain spiritually grounded amid leadership changes.
“This is part of how leadership is selected for the Church,” he said. “But what is most important for the members is their relationship with Christ.”
He stressed that no administrative vote determines one’s salvation.
“No officer or pastor can vote that. They can’t vote you into heaven. That must be your personal relationship with God. Secure that, and don’t be distracted by the noise around you.”
As the Union moves into a new quinquennium under the new leadership of President Pastor Glen Samuels, Franklin’s steady presence serves as a reminder: the future of the Church is strongest when every generation has a voice, and when mission remains anchored in faith.
The Union Conference Session was held on February 17-18, 2026, at the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Manchester. It was called to: 1. Receive reports from the officers and various departments. 2. Elect administrators and departmental directors to serve for the Quinquennium ending December 2030. 3. Consider revisions and changes in the Union Conference’s constitution and bylaws. 4. Transact such other business as may be properly placed before the delegates.
Delegates are selected by the conferences and institutions of the Union, in accordance with the terms of the constitution and by-laws of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
