GC Vice President Maurice Valentine Passes Away

October 21, 2023 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Adventist News Network and IAD News Staff

On October 20, 2023, Maurice R. Valentine II, a dedicated servant of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, passed away, leaving a legacy of unwavering commitment to his faith and an impressive career of leadership within the Adventist Church, top church leaders said. He was 63. 
Valentine was serving as general vice president of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists at the time of his death. Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the GC shared, “Pastor Maurice Valentine’s death is a tragedy for the World Church. He was a very godly leader and an important part of our world church leadership team. Our hearts are broken with this tragic news.

Maurice R. Valentine II, general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists passed to his rest on Oct. 20, 2023. [Photo: Brent Hardinge/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)]

Valentine’s journey in ministry began in 1985, serving as a pastor in various churches across Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska in the United States over 28 years. Valentine’s life of servant leadership led him to become the ministerial director of the Mid-America Union Conference from 2006 to 2012. He was later called to the Central States Conference, as assistant to the president, vice president for administration (executive secretary), and president.

Pastor G Alexander “Alex” Bryant, president of the North American Division, reflected on his relationship with Valentine. “Maurice and I knew each other for over 40 years through our college life and ministry. He always had a passion for God, his family, and for ministry.” Bryant and Valentine attended Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) together, where they became friends. Later, they served the Central States Conference. “He [Valentine] executed his responsibility with a high degree of excellence and professionalism. He would always find encouraging words to speak to those he met and took the time to listen to them, especially in the darkest moments.”

In September 2017, Valentine was called to the Lake Union Conference, where he served as executive secretary and later as president. Kenneth Denslow, president of the Lake Union Conference shared, “In whatever roles Valentine served, he was always loyal to Christ, the church, and its mission. Our hearts are aching over this loss. Our prayers are with Sharon and the family.”  

In April 2021, Valentine transitioned to the North American Division (NAD) to serve as vice president for media ministries, where he furthered the Church’s mission in a rapidly changing media landscape, church leaders said. Richard Stephenson, associate treasurer of the GC, served with Valentine both at the NAD and the GC, and recalled him as a true visionary for digital media and online evangelism. Stephenson expressed, “I have had the great privilege to work closely with Maurice and he was a mentor to me in seeking new and creative ways to share Jesus. He shared with me many times his belief that the Church must better utilize media and technology to connect and engage with those looking for Jesus.”

One of the Committees that he chaired at the General Conference was Digital Innovation which seeks to use new and emerging technologies to advance the Gospel. Calling Valentine a spiritual giant, Stephenson continued, “More than all this, he loved his Lord, and his passion was for the Church to utilize every method to tell others about Jesus and His life-changing power. A spiritual giant of a man has passed to his rest.”

Maurice R. Valentine II’s was known for his cordiality, integrity, and deep-seated missional consciousness. His election as vice president of the GC at the 2022 GC Session was a testament to his exceptional gifts, leaders said.

Audrey Andersson, also elected to serve as vice president at the 2022 session, reflected, “Having been elected at the same time, I felt a special bond with Maurice. He was a giant of faith. Always kind, courteous, and considerate. He would stop by my office to talk and pray. No one could meet Maurice and not be touched by his warm Christian demeanor,” she said. “The Church has lost a wonderful leader. His family has lost a loving father and husband. Those of us who were privileged to work with him have lost a valued friend and colleague,” Andersson said.

Pastor Wilson, encourages the global church to earnestly pray for his wife, Sharon, and the entire Valentine family. “Our hearts are encouraged by the reassuring fact that Jesus is coming soon” Wilson said.

Valentine is survived by his wife Sharon (Livingston) Valentine, and their three adult children.