Jesus Is Coming, I Will Go!
62nd General Conference Session
July 3–12, 2025 • St. Louis, Missouri, USA
America’s Center Convention Complex
“The theme for the Session, ‘Jesus is Coming, I Will Go!’ reminds us of our wonderful hope in the soon coming of our Savior and the importance of answering God’s call to go wherever He may lead to reach the world for Him.”
— Ted N. C. Wilson
The 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will take place from July 3 to 12, 2025, at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. Held every five years, the General Conference Session is the highest governing assembly of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church and brings together thousands of representatives from across the world. This year’s theme, “Jesus is Coming, I Will Go!”, reflects the Church’s unwavering hope in the soon return of Christ and the commitment to answer His call to share the gospel around the world.
Elder Ted N. C. Wilson, who has served as President of the General Conference since 2010, emphasized the spiritual focus of the gathering, stating that the theme serves as a reminder of the Church’s urgent mission. Delegates attending the Session have been prayerfully selected through a collaborative process involving local churches, conferences, unions, and divisions. Their role is both spiritual and strategic, as they represent more than 21 million Seventh-day Adventist members worldwide. Each of the 2,809 delegates plays a critical part in shaping Church policy, electing leaders, and guiding the future mission of the denomination. Their responsibilities include voting on leadership appointments, constitutional amendments, and policy decisions that have a lasting global impact.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates through a representative form of government, meaning that members at every level—from local congregations to global leadership—elect their leaders. Local churches are grouped into conferences, which are organized into unions and then into 13 world divisions. Some administrative entities, such as the Middle East and North Africa Union (MENAU), the Israel Field (IF), and the Chinese Union Mission (CHUM), report directly to the General Conference. When the General Conference Session is not in session, the Executive Committee serves as the Church’s second highest decision-making body. It is authorized to make strategic decisions, appoint leadership, revise working policies, and ensure the Church’s mission moves forward effectively between Sessions.
The General Conference, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, oversees a global network that spans 212 countries with more than 162,000 congregations. The Church also operates the second-largest private educational system in the world, with 112 colleges and universities, and more than 7,700 primary, secondary, and vocational schools. In addition, it runs 62 publishing houses and a global radio and television network that broadcasts 24/7. The Church is deeply committed to humanitarian efforts, with more than 160 hospitals and clinics and a global relief agency, ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), actively working to alleviate suffering around the world.
Pastor Ted N. C. Wilson, born in Takoma Park, Maryland, is the son of former Church president Neal C. Wilson. He began his ministry in 1974 in the Greater New York Conference and served in various leadership roles in Africa and Russia, including as president of the Euro-Asia Division. He holds advanced degrees in religious education, divinity, and public health and speaks English, French, and some Russian. Alongside his wife Nancy, a physical therapist, Wilson has raised three daughters and enjoys the blessings of ten grandchildren.
Serving as the president of a Christian denomination for more than 15 years brings both opportunities and challenges. Among the advantages are deeper relationships with members, continuity in leadership, long-term strategic planning, and greater influence in both church and public life. Long-term presidents can also mentor future leaders and offer more meaningful spiritual guidance. However, risks include potential stagnation, over-reliance on a single leader, and difficulty in ensuring accountability. The potential for burnout and challenges in leadership succession are also realities that must be thoughtfully addressed.
As delegates and church members gather in St. Louis, the Session stands as both a sacred responsibility and a historic opportunity. The decisions made, the leaders elected, and the strategies approved will shape the mission of the Church in every part of the world. Above all, this Session is a call to recommit to the message and mission of Jesus Christ. With hope in His soon return, the Church affirms its readiness with the declaration: “Jesus is Coming, I Will Go.”
Contributed by Elisha Pulivarti
739 words, 4 minutes read time.
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