Lake Union President Ken Denslow served in the Lake Union territory for several decades. [PC: Katie Fellows]
“After 47 years of full-time ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and 30 years in administration I have decided to retire at the end of April 2025, the month I turn 70,” he wrote.
In the letter, also sent to the North American Division President Alexander Bryant, Denslow further elaborated that when he accepted the position it was his intention to serve to the end of the quinquennium, in 2026, but will fall short of that goal by one year.
Denslow has served within the Lake Union territory for decades. He received his bachelor’s and MDiv degrees from Andrews University and started his ministry as Boys Dean at Cedar Lake Academy. After pastoring for a few years in the Michigan Conference, he left to serve in the Chesapeake Conference. Denslow returned to the Lake Union area to assume the role of associate director of the North American Evangelism Institute (NADEI). He then moved on to the Illinois Conference and between 1993 to 2011 served in various roles including ministerial director, executive secretary and ultimately president, a position he held for nine years. He became assistant to the president of the NAD in March 2011, and was elected to serve as president of the Lake Union in June 2021.
“It has been a great privilege to serve the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Denslow, “God has certainly been very good to me and my family. Pat and I will retire right here in Berrien Springs and I look forward to continuing to be active in ministry in retirement, just at a slower pace.”
Bryant is expected to lead the executive committee in a choosing of Denslow’s successor at the regularly scheduled March 5, 2025 meeting. This should allow ample time for the next president to prepare adequately to represent the union at the July 2025 General Conference session.
Lake Union Herald staff
