GCSession2025

10 Jul

COMMENTARY: OVERWHELMED AND EMPOWERED – A NEW DELEGATE’S EXPERIENCE

In

By Liz Kirkland

The moment I stepped into America’s Center Convention Complex for the 62nd General Conference Session, I was swept into a current of humanity—so many people from so many places filling the facility.

While more than 99 percent of the tens of thousands of people in attendance are technically strangers to me, there is still the knowledge that we are all bound by our love of Jesus and our support of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. You can look anyone in the eye and find a smile, a nod, a gesture, a kind glance. We don’t always speak the same language, but we share the same Spirit. Even the smallest moments feel uniting.

As a first-time delegate and GC Session attendee, I wasn’t certain what to expect. After the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, I anticipated being similarly overwhelmed and overstimulated—and I was right. This is particularly true in the exhibitor hall, with some of the best-designed exhibit booths I have ever seen.

One thing that struck me immediately is the global tapestry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church present here. As you walk around, you hear the hum of many languages and see the traditional cultural dress from around 200 countries. Around 60 interpreters are employed during the session to provide translations in eight languages. Every session, every motion, every amendment is translated and relayed in real time, keeping the 2,809 delegates united in purpose, if not always in opinion.

Amidst the diversity and density, everything runs with remarkable order. With previous experience in event management, I give sincere praise to the logistics team for maintaining timetables, moving thousands of people expeditiously through food lines, organizing more than 100 vendors, and attending to the needs of multigenerational, multicultural delegates and families. The complex is a machine with a pulse—structured but alive.

The session floor is a room I never imagined walking into where I didn’t just get a seat, I got a voice with my fellow believers. To be chosen from your region to cast votes that shape the policy and direction of the global church leaves you with the feeling of both humility and a huge sense of responsibility.

Of course, not everything is awe-inspiring. Some items on the agenda move with lightning speed while others drag on with the number of people at the microphones. Sessions can run long, the mood can shift to irritability, and fatigue can become a spiritual test.

And then there are the commenters, those well-meaning individuals who feel compelled to speak to seemingly every motion, even the ones that seem procedural or self-evident. Yet, the very act of people stepping up to the microphone is one of the most compelling parts of the session. The floor becomes a window into the values, histories, and passions of regions far from your own. It becomes evident that unity in mission may not necessarily mean uniformity in faith experience.

I can say mid-session that I am physically tired but still spiritually energized. Each day at session reminds me that my church family is not just a local congregation or even a national organization, but a global family—passionate, hopeful, messy, and deeply connected. Being a delegate hasn’t just given me a vote; it has given me a sense of what it means to belong to a faithful group of Christ’s followers.

—Liz Kirkland is the RMC Communication director. Republished with permission from the NAD News July 10, 2025, article. Photos by Caleb Durant and Bryant Taylor.

Liz Kirkland, a first-time delegate and attendee, votes on agenda items at the GC Session. Photo: Caleb Durant | Iowa-Missouri Conference
Delegates pray together during the business meetings at the 2025 GC Session. Photo: Bryant Taylor | Southern Union
10 Jul

THE REAL CENTER OF POWER

In

Beth Thomas – St. Louis, Missouri … In America’s Center Convention Complex, Room 120 hums with a quiet energy. An estimated 1,000 guests are coming together daily—not to debate motions or cast votes, but to seek divine guidance through prayer.

Coordinated by the General Conference Ministerial Association and part of the Revival and Reformation initiative, these prayer sessions provide an opportunity for reflection and intercession. They are open to everyone and provide a space for attendees to pray for the business of the church, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the personal burdens they carry.

These are significant meetings, and decisions are being made for the future of our church. “We believe the Holy Spirit needs to guide those decisions,” said Melody Mason, one of the coordinators. “Of course, we have consecrated leaders who are praying, but we believe that we are like Aaron and Hur behind the scenes, holding up the arms of Moses. We are here to hold up the arms of our leaders, to pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on every aspect of session, whether it’s the worship services, the agendas, the committee meetings, the nominations—we’re here to pray.”

And it’s not only delegates and family members who are taking advantage of the prayer room. Convention workers and people from off the street also feel comfortable joining in the prayer sessions, Mason said. “They’ve told us, ‘This is my favorite place to come during my break,’ and they’re praying with us.”

The prayer room is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and daily programs begin with a revival time when guests join in worship and praise. This is followed by a study on Elijah, during which they learn lessons from his life on how to be God’s last-day “Elijah”—calling for revival and reformation. Pastor Don MacLafferty has been leading these sessions interspersed with a study of the Word and prayer.

Room 120 remains open throughout the day for personal prayer and meditation.

Other Opportunities

The prayer room is not the only place where guests can explore this power. Several ministries in the exhibit hall are offering unique spaces for prayer and reflection.

One special place is a quiet corner in the General Conference Family Ministries booth, covered with brightly colored Post-it notes holding very specific prayer requests. Sharing about their Prayer Rest Stop, Dawn Venn, senior editorial assistant for Family Ministries, said, “People will pause here for quite a while and just pray over the requests they see—the people, the countries. Then they’ll leave and bring back their family members or friends to experience this.”

Others are adopting this idea of a prayer wall as a ministry for their own churches. “It is an easy way to engage the community and church through prayer. Visitors can take a photo of the posted prayer requests to take home to pray over,” said Daniel Taipe, a creative consultant working with Family Ministries. “Guests are recognizing names and prayer requests of friends and promising to pray over them. It’s a simple activity to connect members together.”

And while there are opportunities to uplift specific personal prayer requests, booths such as Mission to the Cities and the Ministerial Association highlight large secular cities and local towns in need of prayer. At the Global Missions exhibit, Karilyn Suvankham, communication specialist with the Department of Adventist Mission at the General Conference, shared how people can use the Mission to the Cities prayer map featuring 580-plus cities of 1 million or more people to specifically pray for the unreached in those areas of the world.

In yet another area, a Spirit of Reflection Tree stands in the center of the North American Division Adventist health-care systems exhibit, a statement to the uniting power of spiritual connection with the divine that crosses cultural boundaries.

Whether whispered in Room 120, scribbled on a Post-it note, or lifted silently in front of a city map, each petition is a reminder that prayer is the heartbeat of the church.

—Beth Thomas is an assistant editor of the Adventist Review. Republished with permission from the Adventist Review News July 9, 2025, article. Photos by Mark Froelich and Josef Kissinger.

Karilyn Suvankham points out cities on a prayer map. (Photo: Josef Kissinger)
A group gathers for prayer around the Spirit of Reflection tree. (Photo: Josef Kissinger)
09 Jul

EQUIPPED TO SERVE, EMPOWERED TO LEAD

In

Beth Thomas – St. Louis, Missouri … Women from across the globe are gathering in St. Louis for a unique four-day event hosted by the General Conference (GC) Women’s Ministries and Ministerial Spouses Association. This four-day program (July 7-10) held in the America’s Ballroom at the convention center brings together female leaders and ministry spouses for inspiration, learning, and fellowship. Meetings include devotionals, division reports, practical seminars, exercise breakouts, and worship led by groups from various world divisions—many dressed in traditional attire representing their cultural backgrounds.

“It would be a missed opportunity not to gather when so many women from different divisions are here in one place,” said Galina Stele, GC Women’s Ministries director. “We want to give them the opportunity to learn from each other, support one another, and grow spiritually and missionally.”

Each morning begins with a devotional by Nina Atcheson, Adventist educator and editor of the new Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum. “She helps us connect more closely with Jesus in our personal devotional lives,” Stele said.

Afternoon seminars address practical topics, including surrender to Christ, discovering spiritual gifts, family health, trauma recovery, and mission engagement. Presenters include Sikhululekile Daco (Adventist Review associate editor), Karen Holford (Family Ministries director, Trans-European Division), Margret Mulambo (Ministerial Spouses Association, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division), and Elaine Oliver (General Conference Family Ministries associate director).

Division reports from both Women’s Ministries and Ministerial Spouses directors allow leaders to hear how women are being nurtured and empowered across the globe. “Our church is incredibly diverse, and it’s enriching to see what our sisters are doing in other corners of the world,” said Stele.

Jasmin Stankovic, a volunteer from Australia, supports language translation efforts for Spanish and Portuguese speakers. When asked what she enjoyed most about the event, she said, “The best part is the sense of community. Even if we’ve never met, we feel like sisters. It’s like a blended family.”

All meetings are translated into multiple languages—Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian—and, for the first time, include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. “We are recording everything with ASL included, so even if people can’t attend live, they can still be blessed,” Stele added.

The meetings will conclude with a consecration service led by Pastor Ramon Canals, director of the General Conference Ministerial Association. Organizers hope participants leave not only encouraged but also recommitted to their local ministries.

“We’ve been planning this for more than a year,” said Stele. “It’s our prayer that every woman who attends leaves feeling nurtured, empowered, and ready to serve.”

—Beth Thomas is an assistant editor of the Adventist Review. Republished with permission from the Adventist Review News July 8, 2025, article. Photo by Christina Collard.

09 Jul

DELEGATES VOTE CHURCH MANUAL, BYLAWS AND CONSTITUTION ITEMS

In

Marcos Paseggi – St. Louis, Missouri … The fifth, sixth, and seventh business meetings during the General Conference Session included discussions and motions related to the Church Manual. These were the first two of several sessions where Church Manual and Bylaws and Constitution issues are expected to be discussed and voted on, leaders explained.

On the morning of July 6, delegates voted to amend the Church Manual in the section dealing with the credentials and licenses of pastors and other employees. The rationale was to eliminate unnecessary repetition, church leaders explained.

Delegates also voted to amend the wording of the suggestion that each division prepare a Supplement to the Church Manual to include items pertaining to its region. The wording was changed to “may” to express it as a suggestion.

Changes to the Church Manual

The Church Manual Committee reports proposed nonsubstantive editorial changes to the main content of the Church Manual to an Annual Council of the General Conference Executive Committee, which may give final approval, leaders explained. They added: “However, in the event the Annual Council determines by one-third vote that an editorial change substantively alters the meaning of a passage, the proposed change must go to the General Conference Session.”

They also explained that at the final Annual Council of a quinquennium, the General Conference Executive Committee reviews all changes to the notes and coordinates the changes. “A new edition of the Church Manual is published after every General Conference Session,” they said. “The most recent edition should always be used.”

Other Motions

Another motion related to a school board, specifying that the principal of the school is generally appointed secretary of the board.

A final motion on the Church Manual on July 6 dealt with the nominating committee and the election process. It clarifies that the nominating committee “recommends names to the church and is not responsible to elect individuals to serve.” It also specifies that the pastor/chair of the nominating committee and treasurer help determine the eligibility of nominees to hold church office.

Bylaws and Constitution Issues

Delegates discussed a motion dealing with how to calculate delegate allotments for the General Conference Session based on the number of members in a particular region. The motion called to add one full year—from the second to the third year preceding the event. The rationale is that it is now taking more than a year in some places to apply for and receive a visa to travel to the United States, leaders explained. “This item is being recommended to give divisions and their delegates more time to prepare,” they said.

After discussing the item, delegates voted to refer the motion to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

A change was proposed that would allow church leaders to make significant decisions at the Spring Meeting, which a sizable number of delegates follow virtually every year. In the past, major decisions were debated and voted on only at Annual Council every fall. After discussion, it was decided to refer the item back to the Policy and Bylaws Committee.

Two more motions concerned Adventist Review. The first included acknowledging that the Adventist World magazine will cease publication, to be replaced by a world edition of Adventist Review beginning in August 2025. The second was a name change from Adventist Review Ministries to Adventist Review. Both motions passed.

During the Sixth and Seventh Business Meetings

On July 7, delegates reconvened to discuss and vote other items related to the Church Manual. Leaders introduced an addition to the Church Manual that seeks to create a new section regarding the Membership Record that is separate from the Transferring Members section and provides more detail on the need for constant redemptive membership review.

Delegates introduced and discussed several amendments to the main motion on the Transferring Members section, and voted not to amend a number of them. They voted, however, on an amendment that removes the fact that “the pastor, the first elder, and the church board should carefully consider changes to membership status.”

Another amendment sought to clarify the function of church clerks and the process of membership transfer. The amendment added that “the church clerk should encourage those regularly attending his/her church to request a transfer of their membership.” While deleting other sections, it added that “careful consideration should be given by the granting church and the receiving church to ensure the members in the process of being transferred are living in harmony with the fundamental teachings and related practices of the church.” The motion to amend that section of the Church Manual passed.

Editorial Changes, Offerings, and Stewardship

Another amendment voted deals with members who move and don’t report it. It included only an editorial amendment to make the wording consistent, and it was passed.

Delegates also voted an amendment that seeks to express the importance of giving offerings as part of worship. “Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the Lord’s work,” the Church Manual quotes from page 74 of Ellen G. White’s Acts of the Apostles.

Another amendment voted seeks to transmit the importance of stewardship in all areas of life. Among other things, it states that “our conscientious stewardship of God’s blessings helps to build our faith. God has so arranged that when we work in harmony with Him in these things there will flow great spiritual blessings to us.”

Other items, upon the decision of the chair, were referred back to the Church Manual Committee to discuss some of the amendments delegates suggested.

Sabbath School, Communion Offering, and Confidentiality

Another amendment voted incorporates making disciples an important part of Sabbath School and specifies the responsibility of the Sabbath School secretary.

Regarding Communion, a voted amendment now specifies that “an offering for the poor may be taken as the congregation leaves. This offering is promoted as an addition to regular and systematic offerings.”

Another amendment passed emphasizes that “the treasurer should never comment on personal giving decisions.” Also, that “the treasurer and the pastor should never disclose individual giving records, except with consent of the giver, as required by law.”

—Marcos Paseggi writes for Adventist Review. Republished with permission from the Adventist Review News July 8, 2025, article. Photo by Christina Collard.

09 Jul

YOUTH ON A MISSION: GC SESSION VOLUNTEERS IMPACT ST. LOUIS

In

Beth Thomas – St. Louis, Missouri … Many eyes are fixed on the business sessions and elections taking place inside the Dome at America’s Center, but a different kind of mission is quietly taking over the streets of St. Louis. Under the leadership of Busi Khumalo, General Conference (GC) Youth Ministries director, a dedicated team of young volunteers is making a difference—one garden, one street, and one book at a time. And they’ve got their work cut out for them.

This coordinated community outreach, known simply as Impact St. Louis, is a collaborative effort between the GC Youth Ministries Department and local leaders, including Tyrone Douglas, Youth and Adventist Community Services (ACS) director for the Mid-America Union Conference, and Byron Wright, Youth Ministries director for the Central States Conference.

Locally based, Wright was excited to partner with this effort. “Outreach and making the community better is really where my passion is, and so it was a no-brainer for me to get involved wherever I could,” says Wright.

When asked how this project was born, Khumalo shares, “In Youth Ministries, we have an initiative called Global Youth Day [GYD], which happens once a year. This event is basically an extension of GYD. Our slogan is ‘Be the Sermon.’ We want our young people to be the sermon in a practical way, folding their sleeves, getting their hands dirty, getting into the gutter, and making sure they impact the lives of those who are God’s people.”

His team reached out to the city of St. Louis to determine how the youth could help. “They helped us identify projects,” he says. “We want to put Christianity into practical terms. We want to walk the walk and talk the talk.”

One of Wright’s responsibilities is overseeing the garden outreach effort. Two community gardens, the Southside Wellness Center and the Fresh Starts Community Garden, are being beautified by a team of volunteers from Monday through Wednesday. City cleanup crews are hitting the streets each day through Thursday.

Maygen Daley, a young guest from the Bahamas, was on the litter crew yesterday. “It wasn’t bad; we were just cleaning up the streets. I was in a group with people from the Caribbean, so it was like being at home!”

Another group of volunteers is working with the ACS Supply Distribution Center, run by the Mid-America Union ACS team, to distribute essential items to families in need following an intense hurricane that struck the area in May.

Perhaps the most ambitious outreach project is the citywide book distribution planned for Sabbath, July 12. All the volunteers will work together to share uplifting literature downtown and around the iconic Gateway Arch.

The mission doesn’t stop when the sun sets, though!

Each evening, youth gather at the Marriott Grand Hotel for a mix of worship, mission-focused conversations, leadership advice, and social activities.

During a week filled with decision-making and Church Manual-shaping, these youth are reminding the church—and the city—what mission looks like on the ground. It’s sweaty, gritty work. And it’s exactly the kind of impact the world needs right now.

—Beth Thomas is an assistant editor for Adventist Review. Republished with permission from Adventist Review News July 9, 2025, article. Photo supplied.

08 Jul

DISCIPLE-MAKING STORIES HIGHLIGHTED AT GC SESSION DAY 5 EVENING WORSHIP

In

Lauren Davis – St. Louis, Missouri … Day Five of the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session closed with an evening worship service hosted by Hope Channel International highlighting the story of a woman named Alice from Brazil.

Alice’s story is a part of the series Stories of Hope that shares powerful first-hand accounts of lives changed by the gospel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alice watched her parents find faith but stayed distant. However, everything shifted when she was invited to serve in a mission project that opened her eyes to a new kind of love, purpose, and belonging.

“The biggest transformation God made in my life was Him giving me the opportunity to be used by him,” Alice said.

Before the airing of Alice’s story, Charles Raja Kumar, Ministerial Association secretary and gospel outreach director of the Southeast India Union Section in the Southern Asia Division, shared a powerful story on the impact of disciple-making.

After a series of answered prayers, Kumar found himself surrounded by several young men seeking biblical answers to their questions.

“I allowed them to ask whatever was on their minds,” Kumar said. “This excited them because their own church did not allow it.”

Kumar explained that after gaining their trust, he gradually introduced the doctrines and fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. One year later, 15 young men were baptized and are engaged in ministry.

Evening worship takes place each night of Session at 7 p.m. inside the arena. All evening worship sessions through Thursday, July 10, are hosted by Hope Channel International featuring a Stories of Hope video.

Evening worships are followed by division and union reports. Tonight’s reports were given by the Chinese Union Mission, Southern Asia Division, and the Inter-European Division.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.

—Lauren Davis writes for Adventist News Network (ANN). Republished with permission from ANN GC Session July 7, 2025, article. Photo by Tor Tjeransen.

08 Jul

G. Alexander Bryant Elected as President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America

In

Christelle Agboka – St. Louis, Missouri … On Monday afternoon, July 7, 2025, delegates at the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session voted in favor of the nomination of G. Alexander Bryant as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. Bryant, the division’s current president, began his presidency in July 2020, when the GC executive committee elected him to replace the late Daniel R. Jackson, who retired on July 1, 2020. Bryant was elected by the General Conference in session in 2022.

Following his election, Bryant shared a few remarks. “I’m very humbled at the opportunity to serve the church here in the North American Division and [by] the confidence that the people, the nominating committee, my [NAD] caucus, and this entire body have placed in me,” he said. “In the [NAD], our theme has been Together in Mission, and I believe the Lord wants us to double down on that,” he continued. “We look forward to every entity in our North American Division territory . . . working together to help finish the work so we can go home and see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Globally, the following presidents were also voted for the 2025-2030 term:

Blasious M. Ruguri (East-Central Africa Division), Mikhail F. Kaminsky (Euro-Asia Division), Abner De Los Santos (Inter-American Division), Barna Magyarosi (Inter-European Division), Soon Gi Kang (Northern-Asia Pacific Division), Stanley E. Arco (South American Division), Glenn C. Townend (South Pacific Division), Harrington Akombwa (Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division), John Victor Chinta (Southern Asia Division), Roger O. Caderma (Southern Asia-Pacific Division), Daniel Duda (Trans-European Division), and Bassey Udoh (West-Central Africa Division). Magdiel Perez Schultz, secretary of the nominating committee and assistant to the General Conference president, presented the names and final vote.

The world church presidents received an overwhelmingly positive vote, with 1,720 yes votes and 113 no.

John Wesley Taylor V, GC nominating committee chair and president of Andrews University, spoke to the voting process for electing division presidents. “Earlier today, the various appointed division offices met and recommended a name in each case to the nominating committee. The nominating committee also considered these names because these individuals not only are division presidents but they are also vice presidents of the General Conference. And so the nominating committee has provided the recommended names to this body for each of the 13 world divisions.”

Ella Simmons, retired GC vice president, offered a prayer of thanksgiving following the vote. “Almighty God, Your presence has been felt throughout this day, in every event, every discussion, every decision,” she said. She uplifted the elected leaders, concluding, “Let them be true to the calling upon their lives. Give them an unusual abundance of discernment and wisdom. Let them hear Your voice, and give them whatever it takes to follow.”

Committed to Serve

G. Alexander (“Alex”) Bryant has served as North American Division president and world church vice president since 2020. From 2008 to 2020, he served as executive secretary of the NAD and associate secretary of the General Conference, after being elected to those positions at the GC Annual Council in Manila, Philippines. Before his tenure at the NAD, he held several leadership positions in the Central States Conference. In 1990, the conference voted him in as temperance director, youth/Pathfinders/National Service Organization director, and superintendent of education. In 1997, he was elected president.

Bryant graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and business administration from Oakwood College in 1981. He began his ministry shortly after in Springfield, Missouri, as well as Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas. In 1986, he was ordained to the gospel ministry and in 1988 earned his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University. He continued his education at Fuller Theological Seminary, earning a Doctor of Ministry degree in December 2011.

Bryant is married to his college sweetheart, the former Desiree Wimbish, current associate director and ministerial spouses’ coordinator for the Ministerial Association in the NAD. The Bryants have two living adult children and cherish the memory of their third. They also have three grandchildren.

He is the second African American elected to lead the North American Division. Charles E. Bradford, the division’s first president, was also African American. Previous division presidents include Alfred C. McClure, Don C. Schneider, and Daniel R. Jackson.

On July 7, Bryant issued a challenge for the next five years: “We’re going to pray even more fervently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—and let’s see what God does to explode the work of the North American Division so we can reach every man, woman, boy, and girl, in every city and every town.”

He later expanded on that vision, asserting, “My heart’s desire for the North American Division is for God to pour His Spirit out with double portion power. I want what the disciples had to be ours—but more. My prayer is the unity that bound them together will bind us together. May our lives be transformed, and as a result our churches, and as a result, our communities! This is my sincere prayer.”

—Christelle Agboka is a news writer/news producer for the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventist Church. Republished with permission from NAD News July 7, 2025, article. Photos by Ronald Pollard.

Newly re-elected NAD president G. Alexander Bryant stands alongside other division presidents after they were voted in at the GC Session on July 7, 2025. Photo: Ronald Pollard | North American Division
07 Jul

RECAP: THE THIRD FULL DAY OF THE 2025 GENERAL CONFERENCE

In

Angelica Sanchez – St. Louis, Missouri … The third full day of the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on the global coordination of mission through key leadership elections, including secretary and treasurer roles, as well as updates to the church’s Constitution and organizational naming.

Global Leadership Elections Shape 2025–2030 Term

Delegates voted on several key leadership positions that will guide the Seventh-day Adventist Church during the next quinquennium.

Richard E. McEdward Elected as General Conference Secretary

Delegates elected Richard E. McEdward as secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, affirming his experience in mission strategy and international leadership. He most recently served as president of the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission (MENAUM).

Why it matters: The secretary plays a critical role in coordinating global church operations, leadership transitions, and membership systems across more than 200 countries.

Driving the news: McEdward’s nomination was presented by the Nominating Committee and passed by a vote of 1,630 to 153, representing approximately 91 percent of delegate votes.

Paul H. Douglas Reelected as General Conference Treasurer

Delegates voted to elect Paul H. Douglas as treasurer of the General Conference, entrusting him with stewardship of the church’s global financial resources.

Why it matters: The treasurer ensures transparency, financial planning, and policy compliance in support of the global Adventist mission.

Driving the news: Douglas’s vote passed overwhelmingly, 1,851 to 47.

“We are called to be faithful stewards—not just of money, but of the mission,” Douglas said previously.

Of note: Douglas brings decades of service, including as former GC Auditing Service executive director. He is a CPA and is completing a PhD in accounting.

Seven Vice Presidents Affirmed for 2025–2030 Term

Delegates also confirmed the leadership of seven general vice presidents who will serve for the 2025–2030 term. These leaders support global administration and mission advancement:

  • Thomas L. Lemon
  • Audrey E. Andersson
  • Pierre E. Omeler
  • Artur A. Stele
  • Saw Samuel
  • Leonard A. Johnson
  • Robert Osei-Bonsu

Why it matters: Vice presidents mentor leaders across regions and support strategic initiatives set by the executive team.

Driving the news: The vote passed 1,798 to 92.

Treasury Leadership Team Elected

In addition to electing Douglas, delegates affirmed J. Raymond Wahlen II as undertreasurer and elected six associate treasurers:

  • Sabrina C. DeSouza
  • Josue Pierre
  • Timothy H. Aka
  • German A. Lust
  • Richard T. Stephenson
  • Gideon M. Mutero

Why it matters: Treasury leaders help steward financial systems that support evangelism, education, health care, and media ministry worldwide.

Driving the news: The newly elected team will serve alongside Douglas to strengthen financial accountability and support division treasury departments.

Delegates Approve Constitution Amendment on Visa Timelines

Delegates voted to amend Constitution Article V to allow more time for divisions to prepare delegate counts using earlier membership numbers—a change prompted by lengthy US visa processing times.

Why it matters: In some regions, securing a US travel visa can take more than a year, creating logistical hurdles for future sessions.

Driving the news: GC undersecretary Hensley Moorooven presented the motion, sharing the challenges faced during 2025 planning.

Of note: The vote passed by cards, despite questions about why GC Sessions continue to be held in the United States.

Adventist Review Ministries Reverts to Historic Name

Delegates approved a motion to revert Adventist Review Ministries to its original name, Adventist Review.

Why it matters: Adventist Review is the church’s longest-running publication, founded by James and Ellen G. White.

Driving the news: The motion passed without discussion.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.

—Angelica Sanchez writes for Adventist News Network (ANN). Republished with permission from ANN GC Session July 7, 2025, article. Photos by Nathaniel Reid, Tor Tjeransen, Elsie Tjeransen, and Jim Botha.

Richard E. McEdward adressing delegates after his election as Secretary of the General Conference (GC) at the afternoon business session on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Photo: Tor Tjeransen/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Paul H. Douglas is elected treasurer during the 62nd General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo: Elsie Tjeransen/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Photo: Jim Botha/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
07 Jul

WOMEN DELEGATES AT GC SESSION HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH

In

Anne Seixas – St. Louis, Missouri … Representing more than 60 percent of the global church membership, women are not just showing up at the 2025 General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They are showing what it means to belong, to contribute, and to shape the future of a church they love.

As they step into the vast auditorium in St. Louis, women delegates bring stories, lived experience, spiritual wisdom, and a shared desire to see the church grow—stronger, more united, and more reflective of the global body of Christ.

Out of 2,809 official delegates at the 62nd GC Session, around 21 percent are women. Among delegates under 30, that number rises to 69 percent—a hopeful sign that new generations are walking confidently into shared leadership. While there is still room to grow, these numbers point to a deeper truth: when everyone is invited to the table, the church becomes a richer, more inclusive community. And the future becomes a shared journey.

A New Generation Finds Its Voice

Sanja Kuševska, Sladana Markovic, and Sara Bracer are three young women delegates from Macedonia attending their first GC Session. For them, presence means more than a name tag; it means responsibility and trust.

“We’re grateful that our union trusted us with this responsibility,” Markovic said. “It shows that our work is seen and valued just like anyone else’s.”

Rayanniris Costa, from Bahia, Brazil, also shared how eye-opening her first time at Session has been. As a Pathfinder club director and local church leader since her teens, she described the experience as a defining moment.

“I’m really surprised. We often think the church is just our small local setting, but here we see how big, alive, and diverse it really is,” she said. “It’s beautiful to realize that.”

For Costa, being present is not just about representation, it’s about stewardship and shared mission: “We serve in many departments, especially in Children’s and Family Ministries. It’s important for us to have a voice. That broadens the church’s vision.”

She also highlighted the respectful atmosphere throughout the discussions: “Everyone has a voice. There is respect. And that’s fundamental.”

Still, the young women noted that participation sometimes remains uneven.

“Most of the GC reports are presented by men,” Kuševska observed. Bracer added, “Even though diversity and gender balance were emphasized from the start, those already in leadership—mostly men—were often selected again.”

But the group didn’t dwell on imbalance. Their vision was one of partnership. Not competition, but collaboration, a shared table where men and women contribute differently but equally to the same mission.

For Erton Köhler, newly elected General Conference president, women’s presence in leadership is not only needed—it’s strategic.

“We have more women than men in our membership. And I would like to see more of them involved in leadership, in communities, and in many of our initiatives,” he said.

In his view, women’s roles go beyond traditional responsibilities: “They have a special sensitivity and unique abilities that can be a great blessing to the church—if we give them more opportunities.”

While Köhler avoids engaging in controversial discussions such as ordination, he is direct in recognizing women’s value: “They are special, they are important, and I hope we see more of them involved.”

From the other side of the world, Danita Perez Caderna, director of Children’s Ministries for the South Pacific Division based in the Philippines, is also attending a GC Session for the first time. For her, the growing participation of women reflects the recognition the church is offering to women.

“Women are being valued. The global church is opening space for us to express ourselves, contribute, and become fully engaged. That empowers us,” she said. Caderna believes women bring specific strengths to mission: “Wisdom, vision, and sensitivity. These gifts are essential for the church—especially in family and community work.”

She also highlighted the importance of collaboration between departments, especially between Children’s Ministries and Women’s Ministries: “We’re seeing women increasingly recognized as a great resource for the church.”

A Voice and a Gift

Debbie Mbayo Maloba, a delegate from the East-Central Africa Division (ECD), sees her involvement as a sacred duty. She explained that being a delegate at the GC Session “means a lot to us, especially women,” and that it means “we are involved in the life, development, and progress of our church.” She added, “It means we are valued.”

Maloba noted the positive change in representation, saying that even though women “are not yet at 50 percent, we’ve reached a higher percentage,” which she considers an improvement in collaboration.

When asked what message she would offer to her colleagues in leadership, she replied with calm confidence that God has given women the gifts that reach people deeply, not just spiritually but in everyday life. She believes that sometimes, women are able to connect in ways that are different, and “that’s the beauty of working together.”

From the Philippines to Brazil to Eastern Europe and across Africa, women bring perspective, strength, and compassion that enrich the church’s mission.

In 2025, their voices echo what the church is learning: the mission moves forward when the church walks together, men and women, side by side.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.

— Anne Seixas writes for Adventist News Network (ANN). Republished with permission from ANN GC Session July 7, 2025, article. Photos by Tor Tjeransen, Seth Shaffer, Andreea Epistatu, Nathaniel Reid, and Anne Seixas.

Attending GC Session from a city in northeastern Brazil, Rayanniris Costa plans to apply what she has learned to her local church. Photo: Seth Shaffer/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
From left to right: Sanja Kuševska (Macedonian Mission), Sladana Markovic (North Conference in Serbia), Sara Bracer (South Conference in Serbia), and Andreea Epistatu (article author) at GC Session 2025. Photo: Andreea Epistatu
In a press conference, GC president Erton Köhler shared his vision for women’s role in the church's mission. Photo: Nathaniel Reid/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Danita Perez Caderna, from the Philippines, sees women's participation in mission with optimism. Photo: Anne Seixas
06 Jul

PASTORS FOR PASTORS: CHAPLAINCY DURING THE 2025 GC SESSION

In

Andreea Epistatu – St. Louis, Missouri … During the General Conference Session, emotions run deep. Leaders walk in with years of service, unsure if their names will be called again. Some are newly elected, stepping into unfamiliar responsibility overnight. Others quietly step back, sometimes in pain, after hearing that their service has come to an end.

This year, for the first time, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has placed chaplains on standby specifically for delegates, recognizing something rarely said aloud: even pastors need pastors.

Behind the voting sessions and official proceedings, this small but powerful ministry offers confidential spiritual care to those navigating uncertainty, loss, or overwhelming change, with prayer, presence, and peace.

A Personal Story that Sparked a Ministry

For Ivan Omaña, GC Chaplaincy Ministries director, the idea of offering support during Session is deeply personal:

“My father served this church for 45 years. He came to one of these Sessions prepared to continue in ministry, but the nominating committee went in a different direction. There was nothing in place to support him.”

He continued, “You come here as a leader of the church knowing that nothing is guaranteed. And while that’s how our structure works (and it has worked), it doesn’t take away the pain. For the mental, spiritual, and even physical health of those in transition, we need to offer support. A chaplain may not be able to resolve the situation, but when someone helps you put it into perspective, healing begins faster.”

What Do Chaplains Actually Do?

Asked to describe the specific type of support chaplains offer, Omaña smiled and said:

“That’s a great question, especially coming from someone who wants to explain this to readers beyond our church. Chaplains are specialized ministers who provide care in the midst of crisis. I was a hospital chaplain for 16 years. When everyone else backed away from the emergency, I went in. Because that’s when people need someone the most.”

This is not achieved by last-minute training or a one-time seminar. Chaplains serving at Session are deeply trained professionals. Some serve in hospitals, others in the military, at universities, in law enforcement, or with government agencies like the US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“One of our Adventist chaplains serves with an FBI unit. When the tragic school shooting happened in California last year, he was there ready, trained, trusted. He offered care to families, because he was already part of the response team,” Omaña said.

Chaplains are equipped to support people through life’s transitions: illness, trauma, grief, or, as in this case, for some, unexpected change in ministry.

“Whether they are in intensive care units, military zones, fire departments, campuses, chaplains know how to hold the space when life no longer makes sense,” Omaña added.

What about Leaders Who Feel They Don’t Need Support?

When asked how he approaches leaders who believe they should be strong enough to handle everything on their own, Omaña didn’t hesitate.

“Yes, we do encounter that. Some leaders feel they must always be composed and in control. But we don’t push—we simply offer presence. Sometimes, the most healing words are: ‘I don’t have the answer to your problem, but I’m here with you.’ ”

This non-intrusive, deeply relational approach is part of what makes chaplaincy unique. It’s not about fixing, it’s about accompanying.

While the need is acute during election periods, Omaña hopes this ministry won’t end here.

“There’s enough research to show that people recover more fully when they receive emotional and spiritual support during crisis. Why wouldn’t we offer that to our own leaders?”

The impact of chaplaincy doesn’t always show up in reports or press releases. It happens in hushed corners of the convention center, in tearful prayers, in conversations that bring unexpected peace.

To connect with a chaplain during the session, look for their badge or visit the Chaplaincy Ministries booth 1201-22 in the Exhibit Hall. All conversations are confidential.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.

—Andreea Epistatu writes for Adventist News Network (ANN). Republished with permission from ANN GC Session July 6, 2025, article. Photo by Gerhard Weiner.

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