The Dakota Conference Executive Committee met September 13, 2020 during a specially convened meeting for the purpose of electing a new president. After due consideration, the final vote showed overwhelming support for Elder Mark Weir to serve as president for the next four years.
“It was a joy to watch the executive committee rally behind Mark Weir as their president. I don’t believe they could have found a better person to fill the big shoes of Neil Biloff than Mark,” said Elder Gary Thurber.
Thanks was expressed to Elder Neil Biloff for his leadership and many accomplishments during the 15 years he served as conference president. He will retire at the end of September.
Mark Weir has served as vice president of administration and education superintendent in the Dakota Conference for the last year; ministerial, evangelism and church planting director in the Upper Columbia Conference; pastor of church districts in Minnesota, Washington, and Upper Columbia conferences; and campus chaplain and Bible teacher at Auburn Adventist Academy. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from Bakke Graduate University, formerly Northwest Graduate School, in 2003; a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in 1987; and a Bachelor of Art in theology from Union College in 1983.
“My role is to help our churches and schools function better, our pastors and teachers to be as effective as possible in their ministry; because if churches and schools are strong and healthy, our conference will be strong and healthy,” stated Elder Weir.
Since 1981 when North Dakota and South Dakota conferences merged, Mark Weir will be the eighth president to serve the Dakota Conference. His term as president will officially begin on October 1, 2020.
Mark and his wife Judy have made their home in North Dakota for the last several months. The couple has three children: Natalie Weir, Alexandra (Erik) Short, and Bryson (Macy) Weir.
