The Board of Directors of Adventist World Radio (AWR) has elected James (Jim) Howard as the new president of AWR. He brings decades of ministry, leadership, and a deep passion for global mission. Howard transitions to this new role effective immediately.
Howard succeeds Duane McKey, who has served since January 2017. McKey announced his retirement during the 2025 GC Session held in St. Louis, Missouri.
Since 2018, Howard has served as the director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries (SSPM) for the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists. He was elected to serve in the same role for a second term during the 2025 GC Session held in St. Louis, Missouri.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to be asked to serve as president of Adventist World Radio,” Howard said. “For over 50 years, this ministry has been using radio and digital media to reach every corner of the world with the Three Angels’ Messages, and it has only expanded its evangelistic vision in recent years."
He added, “I am humbled to have the opportunity of building on this foundation, which has been laid by many prayers and sacrificial donations from AWR supporters around the world, and by the strong leadership and faithful efforts of the AWR ministry team.”
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Howard worked as a corporate accountant before sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he shared during an ANN Profiles interview.
He served as a bi-vocational pastor in Ohio, later entering full-time ministry in the Michigan Conference, where he pastored multiple congregations, coordinated evangelism efforts, and eventually joined the GC leadership team.
Known for his creativity, strategic vision, and heart for discipleship, Howard has led various projects impacting the global Adventist church.
Among these are the development of Alive in Jesus, the Sabbath School quarterly curriculum for babies through youth launched in January 2025; and the Global Total Member Involvement and Grow Your Church disciple-making resources.
Erton Köhler, GC president said, “Jim has consistently empowered lay members to share their faith. He is a strong leader who is consistent in Adventist theology, focused on the mission, and is passionate about evangelism. [Howard] is a man of God.”
AWR seeks to expand its digital reach to unreached people groups around the world through radio, digital platforms, and innovative media strategies. With Howard’s leadership, AWR looks forward to advancing its mission of bringing the gospel to hard-to-reach regions.
AWR board chair Leonard Johnson, who also serves as a GC vice president, affirmed the appointment.
“I am pleased that Jim has accepted the decision of the AWR Board to serve as president,” Johnson said. “He brings to this ministry a wealth of experience, having worked at most levels of the church. As an ordained pastor, great promoter, organizer, and a gifted communicator with a passion for mission, he will do well in the position.”
Howard has called for prayers, sharing, “I feel insufficient, but I take comfort in the conviction that the Lord Himself has called me to take on this new challenge. Please pray with me that God will bless AWR as we aim to broadcast truth to the world, find and develop spiritually interested people, and lead them to become active disciples of Jesus.”
About Adventist World Radio
Adventist World Radio is the international radio broadcast ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, transmitting programs in more than 100 languages via shortwave, AM/FM, on-demand, and digital platforms. Since its founding in 1971, AWR has sought to share the hope of the gospel with people across cultural, political, and geographic barriers.