On October 4, Dr. Paula Olivier was elected the Chairperson of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA). This group plans the collective events for Regional Conference young people-such as United Youth Congress and the National Bible Bowl tournament.
Previous BAYDA individuals who served as BAYDA Chairs are individuals such as Dr. G. Alexander Bryant, current North American Division President, Elder James Black, former NAD Youth Ministries Director, Elder Willie L. Taylor, former President, Southeastern Conference, Dr. Vandeon Griffin, Associate Youth Director, NAD, and others. Dr. Olivier is the first female elected to this position.
She is a native of Brooklyn, New York, who spent the early years of her life in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, before moving to Miami. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Oakwood University, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary.
She began her ministry in the Allegheny East Conference at what is now known as the Miracle City SDA Church in Baltimore, Maryland. She also served at the Church of the Oranges in Orange, New Jersey and at the Montclair First Church, in Montclair, New Jersey.
She then accepted a call to the Ebenezer SDA Church in Freeport, New York, in the Northeastern Conference, where she served prior to her election as Youth/Young Adult Director in September of 2021.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, certificates, recognition, etc.-including one from President Joe Biden, for Northeastern’s Youth Department becoming a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
She is married to Dr. Smith Olivier, who serves as a Pastor in the Northeastern Conference. We pray God’s blessing on her as she assumes leadership of those who lead our young people.
