Carolina Conference Camp Meeting

Elder Leslie D. Louis was born to missionary parents from India on the island of Ceylon (today known as Sri Lanka) where he spent most of his boyhood days. He holds a B.A. degree in religion from Southern Missionary College (1973), along with an M.A. in education from Andrews University (1982). He has served in five conferences in North America including Florida, Ohio, Kentucky-Tennessee, Gulf States, and Carolina.The past fifty years of his service for the Seventh-day Adventist church include that of being a classroom teacher, elementary school and academy principal, superintendent of education, pastor, vice president of a conference and currently as the president of the Carolina Conference.Elder Louis was elected to serve as the 37th president of the Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 2011, was re-elected in 2016 for a second term and again in 2022 for his third term ending in August 2027.Leslie is married to Carole who is truly the love of his life. They met while they were both students at S

Shawn Boonstra, a native of British Columbia, is the speaker/director for the Voice of Prophecy. He hosts Authentic, a weekly broadcast exploring life’s big questions through history and Scripture. Known for global evangelistic meetings like Revelation Speaks Peace, he equips churches through initiatives such as the Discover Bible School and Discovering Revelation. His ministry spans continents, including outreach in Myanmar, the Arctic, and India. Before joining Voice of Prophecy in 2013, he served as associate ministerial director at the North American Division. Shawn lives in Loveland, Colorado, and enjoys the outdoors with his wife, Jean. 

Shawn Boonstra, a native of British Columbia, is the speaker/director for the Voice of Prophecy. He hosts Authentic, a weekly broadcast exploring life’s big questions through history and Scripture. Known for global evangelistic meetings like Revelation Speaks Peace, he equips churches through initiatives such as the Discover Bible School and Discovering Revelation. His ministry spans continents, including outreach in Myanmar, the Arctic, and India. Before joining Voice of Prophecy in 2013, he served as associate ministerial director at the North American Division. Shawn lives in Loveland, Colorado, and enjoys the outdoors with his wife, Jean. 

Mike Ortel retired for the third time on January 1, 2025, after pastoringtwo churches in Arizona. He previously served as president of the Northern New England Conference and later as executive secretary and ministerial director for the Arizona Conference. Over his decades of service, he has been a pastor, department director, and administrator. He also chaired the board of Parkview Adventist Medical Center for ten years. Mike is deeply engaged in community outreach and currently serves as chaplain for the Paradise Valley Police Department. He recently authored Max the Cat: The Seven A's of Healthy Relationships.

Pastor Tony LaPorte currently serves as the pastor of the Charleston Adventist Church in South Carolina and as the Men’s Ministries Director for the Carolina Conference. He and his wife, Nereida, have been happily married for 38 years and are the proud parents of four sons. His greatest passion is sharing the love of Jesus with every soul he encounters.

Friday Morning

Stone Chapel — Connect with the power of prayer at the Stone Chapel during camp meeting. The daily morning prayer group provides a peaceful and uplifting space to connect with others and lift your concerns to the Lord. All are welcome to attend.

Richie Halversen is the Director of Church Growth and Revitalization for the Southern Union, where he equips church revitalizers and lay leaders to maximize their impact in evangelism and church renewal. He has been married to his wife, Britney, for 25 years. They have four children: Kaleb, Hayley, Tristen, and Taylor. The Halversens live in the Chattanooga area and enjoy spending time together hiking, disc golfing, and playing games.

Brad Cauley, originally from South Carolina, is married to Nellie and father to Alexandra and Bradford, both students at Pine Tree Academy in Freeport, Maine. He holds a B.A. in Theology from Southern Adventist University, and an M.Div. and D.Min. from Andrews University. Brad is the author of Steps to a Vibrant Church and ReGenerate! A Strategy to Revitalize Seventh-day Adventist Churches. His upcoming book, In God I Trust? Examining Evidence for a Faith Relationship, will be published later this year. 

Rudy and Janet Salazar are a passionate husband-and & wife team dedicated to inspiring others in both faith and finances. Rudy serves as associate director for Stewardship Ministries at the North American Division and holds a doctoral degree from Andrews University. He has served as a pastor and stewardship leader in several conferences. Janet holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from La Sierra University and shares practical tools for connecting with God through her speaking and writing ministry. Together, the Salazars encourage individuals and families to grow spiritually and live with purpose.

Shawn Boonstra, a native of British Columbia, is the speaker/director for the Voice of Prophecy. He hosts Authentic, a weekly broadcast exploring life’s big questions through history and Scripture. Known for global evangelistic meetings like Revelation Speaks Peace, he equips churches through initiatives such as the Discover Bible School and Discovering Revelation. His ministry spans continents, including outreach in Myanmar, the Arctic, and India. Before joining Voice of Prophecy in 2013, he served as associate ministerial director at the North American Division. Shawn lives in Loveland, Colorado, and enjoys the outdoors with his wife, Jean. 

Roy E. Gane is professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages at the Theological Seminary at Andrews University, where he has served since 1994. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in biblical Hebrew from the University of California, Berkeley, and served as president of the Adventist Theological Society (2009–10). Gane has published extensively in scholarly journals and authored several books, including Leviticus, Numbers (NIV Application Commentary), Old Testament Law for Christians, and The Sanctuary and Salvation. He was also the primary translator for Leviticus in the Common English Bible.

Brad Cauley, originally from South Carolina, is married to Nellie and father to Alexandra and Bradford, both students at Pine Tree Academy in Freeport, Maine. He holds a B.A. in Theology from Southern Adventist University, and an M.Div. and D.Min. from Andrews University. Brad is the author of Steps to a Vibrant Church and ReGenerate! A Strategy to Revitalize Seventh-day Adventist Churches. His upcoming book, In God I Trust? Examining Evidence for a Faith Relationship, will be published later this year. 

Mike Ortel retired for the third time on January 1, 2025, after pastoringtwo churches in Arizona. He previously served as president of the Northern New England Conference and later as executive secretary and ministerial director for the Arizona Conference. Over his decades of service, he has been a pastor, department director, and administrator. He also chaired the board of Parkview Adventist Medical Center for ten years. Mike is deeply engaged in community outreach and currently serves as chaplain for the Paradise Valley Police Department. He recently authored Max the Cat: The Seven A's of Healthy Relationships.

Roman Pawlak is a professor of nutrition at East Carolina University in North Carolina. He holds a doctorate in nutrition from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.S. in human nutrition from Andrews University. A registered dietitian nutritionist, he is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. With expertise in vegan and vegetarian nutrition, he has published around 50 peer-reviewed articles, several books, and numerous popular articles, and has lectured on five continents. He lives with his wife, Jinsun, and their two dogs.

Rudy and Janet Salazar are a passionate husband-and & wife team dedicated to inspiring others in both faith and finances. Rudy serves as associate director for Stewardship Ministries at the North American Division and holds a doctoral degree from Andrews University. He has served as a pastor and stewardship leader in several conferences. Janet holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from La Sierra University and shares practical tools for connecting with God through her speaking and writing ministry. Together, the Salazars encourage individuals and families to grow spiritually and live with purpose.

Pastor Tony LaPorte currently serves as the pastor of the Charleston Adventist Church in South Carolina and as the Men’s Ministries Director for the Carolina Conference. He and his wife, Nereida, have been happily married for 38 years and are the proud parents of four sons. His greatest passion is sharing the love of Jesus with every soul he encounters.

Pastor Tony LaPorte currently serves as the pastor of the Charleston Adventist Church in South Carolina and as the Men’s Ministries Director for the Carolina Conference. He and his wife, Nereida, have been happily married for 38 years and are the proud parents of four sons. His greatest passion is sharing the love of Jesus with every soul he encounters.

Richie Halversen is the Director of Church Growth and Revitalization for the Southern Union, where he equips church revitalizers and lay leaders to maximize their impact in evangelism and church renewal. He has been married to his wife, Britney, for 25 years. They have four children: Kaleb, Hayley, Tristen, and Taylor. The Halversens live in the Chattanooga area and enjoy spending time together hiking, disc golfing, and playing games.

Pastor Tony LaPorte currently serves as the pastor of the Charleston Adventist Church in South Carolina and as the Men’s Ministries Director for the Carolina Conference. He and his wife, Nereida, have been happily married for 38 years and are the proud parents of four sons. His greatest passion is sharing the love of Jesus with every soul he encounters.