On Wednesday, June 9, 2020, the Executive Committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division appointed Ashir Illyas Khan as the new executive secretary of the Pakistan Union Section (PKU). He replaces Dr. Jose Dial who went on PR (permanent return) after over four years of service in the mission field.
Khan served in different capacities in several institutions both outside and inside our organization in recent years. His work experience in different private companies honed his skills in administration and leadership. He was Head of the Business Department of Pakistan Adventist Seminary and College from 2004 to 2017. He was its Business Manager prior to his appointment as executive secretary of the Pakistan Adventist Union Section (PKU).
Khan holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business from Pakistan Adventist Seminary and School. He then received his Master’s degree in Accounting and Marketing from the American International University in the year 2002.
“I am very thankful to my Almighty God that he has selected an ordinary person to serve in His vineyard. And I assure my family’s full commitment to fulfill His mission,” Khan said. “I am thankful for this great honor to work as an executive secretary. My prayer is to to uplift His work and win more souls for God. I am also praying to be humbled and to be able to show the character of Jesus Christ through my walk, talk, behavior, and work,” Khan continued.
Khan is blessed to have his family with him in his ministry: his wife Ruth Ashir, and his three children, Jordan Sammer, Aaron Jeremiah, and Ryan Canon.
The Pakistan Union Section headquarters oversees our church in Pakistan which has 12,633 members serving in 111 churches all across this country. The Pakistan Union Section also serves with sister institutions in the country like the Pakistan Adventist Seminary and College, the Qasid Publishing House, and the Karachi Adventist Hospital. Their mission is to help people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department
