Currently, Pastor R. Vincent Dehm II serves as Associate Pastor for Youth and Diversity Ministries at Miracle Temple Worship Center in Baltimore, MD. In addition to his responsibilities at the local church level, Pastor Dehm is a much sought after presenter, consultant and subject matter expert on various topics including cultural diversity, conflict management, and assimilation of youth in the church. He has the God given ability to reach all people regardless of age, gender, culture or race. He is the founder of The Diversified Church an organization dedicated to the demolition of the walls that separate different cultures in the Church. Pastor Dehm’s dream is that one day the walls of separation that exist between different races and cultures will be removed and God's church can become what He desires it to be...a Diversified Church.
Pastor Dehm is an internationally recognized communicator, consultant, motivator, preacher, teacher and youth worker.
He has not always been a pastor!
In 1995, Vincent enlisted in the United States Army. Upon entering into the military, he began to follow God’s plan for his life. Being a military instructor for the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute gave him the experience of speaking and teaching. In just under four years, Pastor Dehm was awarded two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, a Joint Service Medal, and a good conduct medal. During his service, Pastor Dehm was awarded the distinction of being named the battalion and brigade Soldier of the Year.
 After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Vincent attended Southwestern Adventist University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology with a Minor in Biblical Languages. While attending Southwestern Adventist University, he served on staff at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church for two years. There he started the New Life Sabbath School for college students. Under his leadership, this ministry grew from 10 regular attenders to around 150 each Sabbath morning.
Pastor Dehm also served as the Chaplain for Los Angeles Adventist Academy in Los Angeles, California. This unique experience allowed Pastor Dehm to reach many young people for Jesus in the South Central area of LA.
In addition to serving as the Chaplain at LAAA, Pastor Dehm served as a Youth Pastor for Dr. J. Kendall Guy at the Berean SDA Church in Los Angeles. Under his direction, the “Friday Night Experiment” was developed and implemented. This event (the only one of its kind in L A) gave the young people of the Los Angeles area an opportunity to enjoy positive Christian fellowship on Friday Evening.
Prior to accepting the call to come to the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day-Adventists, Pastor Dehm held the distinction of being the first and only Caucasian to pastor in the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day-Adventists. Along with this privilege, Pastor Dehm was the first Caucasian pastor in the United States to serve as the senior pastor of an all black congregation (this being done in both a regional conference and in the South). During his time in Florida, Pastor Dehm shepherded God’s churches through many blessings including mortgage burnings, church remodeling and renovations, and evangelistic efforts.
His personal statement of purpose comes from Romans 12: 1-2,
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Beside him in the journey of ministry is the former Tracey Howell of New Haven, Connecticut. Together, they have three children, Kendall and two teenage daughters Kellie, and Kayla. |
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