What are the things that really move you, that you're most passionate about?
I'm passionate about this church. I wasn't born into an Adventist home; I grew up as a Sunday School boy in the Pilgrim Holiness Church. But I became convinced of the truth at age 17, and was baptized that year. My whole life after that has been Adventist-oriented. I'm absolutely convinced that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been raised up by God, and I think the future, as Ellen White says, is as bright as the promises of God.

In your 20 years as secretary, what has happened as a result of your administration that gives you the most satisfaction?
I've always felt that the role of the secretary was to assist the president as much as a person can. I'm also proud of the rapport in the Secretariat department among those who work there. We have an excellent spirit of camaraderie among us. [Our motto is] "Don't take yourself too seriously. Hang loose in the saddle."

What are your plans for the near future?
Fifty years ago I made a speech at Caribbean Union College where I said, "In the future, if the Lord sees fit to call you up to higher or wider service, please step up humbly. When the time comes, as inevitably it will, step down graciously. Don't get mad at anybody. Thank the people and thank God for the privilege you have had of serving Him." That's still my motto.

Over the years I've observed in you a deep concern for fairness and equality. I know this is an abiding issue for you.
Absolutely. We've got to treat people as they ought to be treated, as we like to treat ourselves. We are a multi-national, multiracial, multicultural, and multigenerational church. And we've got to prove that the gospel means what it says: at the foot of the cross the ground is level.

What concerns do you have for the world church?
I'm concerned for the world unity of this church. We must stick together. We cannot become national churches. The acid test of the gospel is to prove to the world what many experts say is impossible: to get rid of tribalism and racism in the church.