Our Church
The First SDA Church of Teaneck is part of a world-wide organization with more than 15 million members in countries around the world. We would be happy to have you join us in worship or at one of the church events listed on our calendar. To learn more about us, please contact us. More >>
We are a part of The Allegheny Conference that was established September 26, 1945. This was a historical year for Blacks in the Columbia Union Conference. The Allegheny Conference was organized in the rear of a bookstore near Howard University with 4,000 members. Elder J. H. Wagner was elected the first president and by the beginning of 1967, the conference was divided into two conferences, Allegheny East and West. More >>
Meet our Senior Pastor
Dr. Abdele F. George
Dr. Abdele F. George is an anointed minister who loves the Lord and has a passion for seeking the lost. Since the tender age of four, he would often stand in front of the mirror with a broomstick in one hand and a Bible in another, imitating his childhood Pastor. He was unaware that God was orchestrating a transformative plan for his life. During his undergraduate studies in New York, with two semesters until his graduation, with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, the Lord instructed him to relocate to Oakwood University to pursue a degree in Theology. God's plan had finally become clear.
During his matriculation at Oakwood University, he served in several leadership roles including director of the Power Hour Prayer ministry, Master Guide instructor, and President of the Religion and Theology Forum. Dr. George holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from Oakwood University, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University, a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Alfred University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary.
Dr. George’s ministry began in Northeastern Conference where he was the pastor of Friendship SDA Church in Western, NY, associate pastor of the Ephesus SDA Church in Harlem, NY, pastor of Norwalk and Breath of life churches in Connecticut, and most recently the South Ozone Park SDA church in Queens, NY.
Dr. George is married to Dr. Shonelle George who recently completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Shonelle loves people and is a fierce advocate for empowering women and girls, supporting pastoral spouses, and providing spaces for individuals and their families to grow and thrive communally. Shonelle is an educator, advocate, international workshop presenter, empowerment speaker and former board member of 4 Real Women International, a non-profit organization created by women for women to bring awareness, voice, and potential solutions to the issues of inequality that impact women and girls around the world. Professionally Shonelle works as a counselor at the City University of New York, she is also a professor in the graduate mental health counseling program at NYU. Shonelle believes that everyone can become agents of social change in their spaces of influence.
Drs Abdele and Shonelle are blessed with a daughter, Amelia, who is articulate, intelligent, conscientious, and loving. Amelia enjoys creating science experiments, reading books, singing, and traveling. She loves the Lord, she is an Adventurer, national bible bowl champion, honor student, anointed preacher with her own preaching schedule, and budding comedian who provides her family with free comedic entertainment.
Dr. George and his family’s personal ministry centers on the gospel for the mind, heart, and soul. They are committed to serving the Lord, leading with compassion, and walking in God’s anointing.
About Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere and to let people know that Jesus is coming again soon.
Adventists believe a Trinity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—make up one God. They made salvation possible when Jesus, the Son, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem and lived a sinless life in accordance with the Father's will. When Jesus was crucified for the sins of the people of the world and arose from the dead on the third day, victory was won for everyone.
When He returned to heaven following the resurrection, Jesus left the Holy Spirit to serve as our Comforter and Counselor. He promised to return to earth a second time to complete His plan of salvation and take His people to heaven. Adventists are among the believers who look forward to that day.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.
A Worldwide Church Family
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America.
The Adventist Church operates 173 hospitals and sanitariums and more than 7,500 schools around the world. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) works within communities in more than 130 countries to provide community development and disaster relief.
Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Millennialist Protestant Christian denomination that was founded in the 1860s in the USA.
The name Seventh-day Adventist is based on the Church's observance of the "biblical Sabbath" on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. "Advent" means coming and refers to their belief that Jesus Christ will soon return to this earth.
Seventh-day Adventists differ in only four areas of beliefs from the mainstream Trinitarian Christian denominations. These are the Sabbath day, the doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary, the status of the writings of Ellen White, and their doctrine of the second coming and millennium.
