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 Southern Missionary College and will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2023. They have two adult children: Christopher and Catherine and three treasured granddaughters: Isla, Rosalind, and Eloise. Leslie enjoys traveling, photography, camping, biking, and reading as his leisure activities. He has had the opportunity to travel and visit countries in six of the world’s seven continents. Preaching and sharing Christ through the truths of God’s Word by evangelism, prayer and witnessing are the greatest passions of his heart.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Friday Morning

Mike Ortel retired for the third time on January 1, 2025, after pastoring two 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Mike Ortel retired for the third time on January 1, 2025, after pastoring two 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.

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.

Mike Ortel retired for the third time on January 1, 2025, after pastoring two 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.