Presenters

• Ahkeem Darden

  As the oldest of seven children, Ahkeem grew up in a family with a strong heritage and history in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His father served as a missionary across Africa, Europe and the Caribbean building churches before he passed away when Ahkeem was eleven. With a mother who served her family as a homemaker Ahkeem and his six siblings had a challenging upbringing. However, the children grew up to be very successful personally, professionally and spiritually.
  
  Transitioning into the workforce after his educational pursuits was the next phase of Ahkeem’s life journey. Ahkeem spent fifteen years working in corporate America as a marketing coordinator and direct mail manager before he transitioned to become a VP of sales and marketing. He is currently a marketing consultant to the some of the world’s largest organizations to validate, automate and optimize marketing efforts.
  
  Ahkeem was the first in his family to get a college education with degrees in International Business and Marketing. After his college career, Ahkeem went on to receive his Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration Marketing.
  
  Ahkeem is actively involved in his church community serving as an elder at Plantation SDA Church and the music ministry leader.
  
  Ahkeem travels locally and internationally ministering and singing for the glory of God, and for the edification of those who need an encouraging message from the Lord.

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• Joseph Salajan

  Pastor Joe was born in the little town of Crasna (Romania). Ever since he was a child, he has been fascinated by the unique connection between pastors and their special book, the Bible. When at the age of 7 he received his first little Bible from a brave pastor who was able to procure it for him in spite of the interdictions of the communist regime, he felt special and decided one day he would become a pastor.
  
  After serving as a Pastor for 8 years in Romania, in 2013 he immigrated to the USA. He currently serves as Lead Pastor of Plantation Seventh-day Adventist Church. Along with his wonderful wife Anda and their gorgeous daughter Alessandra, he enjoys proclaiming God’s grace and ministering to his fellows.
  
  By God's grace, in February 2020 he completed my doctoral program obtaining a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching/Homiletics from Andrews University. His hobbies are languages, music, and poetry.