The Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee elected Marilyn Scott as executive secretary of the Chesapeake Conference on Jan. 20. Scott fills the vacancy created when Andre Hastick became president on Jan. 1, following Jerry Lutz’s retirement.
Scott has served since 2024 as associate pastor for Children’s and Family Ministries at Bell Branch Church in Gambrills, Md., and as a Children’s Ministries specialist for Chesapeake Conference, providing training and resources for children’s ministries around the conference. Scott has pastored in the Chesapeake Conference for 16 years, serving previously as the Children’s Ministries associate pastor at Spencerville Church (2010–2016) and New Hope Church (2016–2024).
“The Executive Committee members, who represent all four regions of our conference, engaged in prayerful discussion, and the Lord graciously led us forward,” said Andre Hastick, Chesapeake Conference president. “After a season of prayer and a secret ballot process, in accordance with our bylaws, the committee felt led and voted to call Marilyn Scott to serve as our executive secretary. Pastor Scott brings a diligent, detail-oriented approach to ministry, combined with a people-centered heart, that makes her uniquely suited to advance the mission in this role.”
Before entering pastoral ministry, Scott served in the Human Resources department at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for five years as a senior Human Resources specialist. Over the years, she has served on numerous committees at the conference and division levels, including the Chesapeake Conference’s Executive Committee, Personnel Committee, and Mission and Church Growth Council. Her committee work at the North American Division (NAD) includes serving on the Retirement Board, Human Relations Advisory Board, and Children’s Ministries Creative Team.
In 2025, Scott authored the official devotional book for the NAD’s Vacation Bible School program and is also authoring the devotional book for 2026’s VBS program, helping families implement habits of family worship at home.
“We prayed and made a list of the qualities that we thought that we needed for the executive secretary, and we felt like God was calling us to Marilyn because she had every quality that we wanted in an executive secretary,” said Keith Blair, New Hope Church member and member of the Executive Committee.
“Marilyn’s experience in multiple churches in the conference and her experience in multiple committees in the conference and at the NAD made her stand out as an exemplary candidate,” said Sarah Celestin from West Wilmington Church.
Geoff Crowley, lead pastor of Bell Branch Church, said Scott’s combination of skills uniquely qualifies her for the role. “Marilyn connects with people, she has a gift for organization and administration, and she has a pastoral heart,” said Crowley.
Scott is joined in ministry by her husband, Greg. She has one daughter, Kaiya, who is married to William and has blessed Scott with three grandchildren: Carter, Eleanor, and Summer.
“I am overwhelmed by God’s call to this position,” Scott said. “I’m humbled by the confidence bestowed upon me by the Executive Committee. As I step into this role, I want to serve God and the Chesapeake Conference to the best of my ability.”