Welcome to the 61st General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, held in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 6-11, 2022.
The theme for this Session— “Jesus is Coming! Get Involved!”—reflects the Advent hope in a soon-returning Savior, and the urgency of Total Member Involvement (TMI), everyone doing something for Jesus in winning souls for Him!
When the first General Conference Session was held in May 1863, 20 delegates met in a small wooden church in Battle Creek, Michigan. The delegates represented a few thousand Sabbath-keeping Advent believers, mainly from the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States.
In contrast, the 61st General Conference Session, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed twice due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, is being held in a much larger venue than the small wooden church in Battle Creek! In 2022, there will be approximately 2,700 voting delegates representing more than 21 million members from more than 200 countries! We praise God for how He has led and blessed this last-day remnant movement, and we look to Him for strength and guidance as we continue in the important mission He has given to us of sharing His love and last-day message with a world in need.
General Conference Sessions provide wonderful opportunities for our worldwide family of believers to gather for worship and fellowship, and to gain a firsthand look at the way in which we conduct the business of the Church, including the election of world leaders and voting on important items affecting the entire worldwide Church.
Let’s pray together for God’s leading in a marvelous way at this General Conference Session, as we plead for the outpouring of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit in anticipation of the soon second coming of Jesus Christ. We can be assured that “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” 1
Let’s continue moving forward together as we focus on God’s Holy Word, on the Holy Spirit’s wonderful work of personal and corporate revival and reformation, and on Total Member Involvement (TMI), reaching millions with the hope that we have to share.
Jesus is Coming! Get Involved!
1 White, Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 204.
About St. Louis
Named after King Louis IX of France, St. Louis is known by the nickname of The Gateway to the West. It is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri and is a major midwestern metropolis filled with culture.
Located along the Mississippi River, St. Louis is one of the world’s great river cities that includes many family-friendly activities, architecture, sports, historical sites, and other aspects that draw visitors from around the world. St. Louis is second only to Washington, D.C. in the number of free activities available in an American city.
The city planners have created an aesthetically beautiful area with lots of green space and activities that includes the Zoo, the Art Museum, the Science Museum, the Botanical Garden, Union Station, Forest Park, and, of course, the famous Gateway Arch, one of the world’s tallest man-made
monuments.
St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, is the perfect city to make memories, experience culture, learn about history, reconnect with nature, and excite your taste buds. You are sure to be entertained and surprised by all St. Louis has to offer.
THE AMERICA’S CENTER CONVENTION COMPLEX
The America’s Center Convention Complex is located in the heart of Downtown St. Louis convenient to hotels, restaurants, and transportation. The Complex is made up of four distinct venues which are interconnected; the Cervantes Convention Center, Ferrara Theater, the St. Louis Executive Conference Center, and the Dome at America’s Center.
The Dome offers 1.7 million square feet covering 14 acres, 67,000 seats, 145,000 square feet exhibit space on Dome floor, which is easily adaptable for other events; a 17,000 square foot Annex including 29 flexible rooms with 13 meeting rooms, 16 show offices, storage, and locker rooms.
The Cervantes Convention Center offers 1 million square feet covering 18 acres, five exhibit halls totaling 340,000 square feet, 67 flexible rooms with 46 meeting rooms, and 21 show offices and storage rooms.
ABOUT THE GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION
General Conference Session:
Opening and Closing
The opening business meeting of the 61st General Conference Session will begin on Monday, June 6, 2022, at 08:00 local time (CDT). The GC Session will close on Sabbath evening, June 11.
COVID-19 Protocols
The General Conference COVID-19 protocols are based upon the guidelines from the World Health Organization, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the local jurisdiction’s COVID-19 guidance. The COVID-19 protocols for the 61st Session in St. Louis will be announced and implemented as deemed necessary.
Simultaneous Interpretation Services
Business meetings, morning worships, and evening programs of the 61st General Conference Session will be conducted in English. These will all be translated into multiple languages, and an FM radio will be needed to receive these translations. (See AWR Radio Sales Announcement on page 10 for details regarding purchase of FM radios.) Delegates and guests may bring their own FM radios. Available languages are French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Services in St. Louis Airport
St. Louis Lambert International (STL) Airport is one of the most historic airports in the United States. The 2,800-acre airport sits 14 miles have no problem finding their way to neighborhoods and other venues.
• MetroLink: The rail system offers multiple lines and stops through St. Louis County and City. Metro generally operates from 04:00 to 01:00 during the week and on weekends. To plan your trip, visit the website (https://www.metrostlouis.org/metrolink/) or download Transit (https://www.metrostlouis.org/transit-toolbox/), the official trip-planning app (available on the App Store and Google Play).
• MetroBus: Operates several Metrobus routes in St. Louis and is designed to help you reach the places you want to go. To plan your trip, visit the website (https://www.metrostlouis.org/metrobus/) or download Transit (https://www.metrostlouis.org/transit-toolbox/), the official trip-planning app (available on the App store and Google Play).
• Taxi Service: Taxi companies maintain stands at the America’s Center Convention Complex, at the airport, and at major hotels throughout St. Louis. Taxi drivers are uniformed, and their vehicles must meet strict standards enforced by the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.
• Rental Cars: There are a number of national car rental agencies located at the airport and throughout the area.
• Rideshare: Lyft and Uber both operate throughout the St. Louis area and can be a great way for visitors to get around town. You can visit their websites or download their
mobile apps to get started.
Medical Services
There are several urgent care centers, hospitals, and pharmacies downtown and in the surrounding areas. For emergency medical service, call 911.
Weather and Clothing
June is a moderately hot month with the average temperature fluctuating between66 °F (19 Celsius) and 85 °F (29 Celsius). The buildings will be air conditioned. Pack light-weight clothes, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella or raincoat. Dress shoes are not required.
Meals and Access
Meal Service: Meeting the diverse needs of the world Church in food preparation is a high priority for the General ConferenceSession in St. Louis, Missouri. Menu planning includes intentional efforts to address the suggestions and recommendations of our attendees. Recognizing the need to provide convenient, wholesome, appealing vegetarian meals at cost-effective prices has become a goal worth pursuing. Meal service will be held in Halls 3, 4, and 5of the America’s Center Convention Com-plex. Noon meal tickets will be available beginning Monday, June 6 through Saturday, June 11, 2022. Evening meal tickets will be available for Sunday, June 5; Friday, June 10; and Sabbath, June 11
Meal Ticket Purchases: To preserve the quality and quantity of meals, it is vital to purchase meal tickets in advance via the Session website through May 20. Pre-purchased tickets will be available for pick up in the Courtyard Lobby of the America’s Center Convention Complex. Meal ticket information and fees are available on the Session website.
Only a minimal number of meal tickets will be available on-site, so pre-purchasing is recommended. Tickets can be purchased onsite at the Ticket Lobby Booth located in the America’s Center Convention Complex.
There will also be a limited number of onsite food outlets operating at specific hours during the Session. Every effort is being made to alert the Greater Downtown area of the specific needs of our attendees so that quality meals are available. However, local menus and pricing will prevail, so plan accordingly.
Entrances for People with Disabilities
All lower gates of the America’s Center Convention Complex are at street level and are wheelchair and stroller accessible. All levels of seats have accessible chairs and space for wheelchairs, strollers, etc.
Travel Information in the United States
• Entry into the United States: Citizens from countries outside the United States must contact their local U.S. Consulate for entry requirements.
• Importing Goods into the United States: Most things brought into the United States for personal use during the visit will be considered “personal baggage” by the United States Customs Office. Such items include sports equipment, clothing, musical instruments, computers, cellular phones, and cameras. Weapons are not permitted to be brought into the country.
• Legal drugs: Legal drugs, in quantities for personal use, may generally be brought into the United States with no problem. Prescription drugs should be placed in a plastic
The Classification of On-site Attendees On-Site Registration and Seating
Attendees to the General Conference Session are classified in one of several categories:
DELEGATES: Those persons who have been officially selected by unions, divisions, and the General Conference to vote in the General Conference Session business meetings. Delegates are required to register at the General Conference Session and, when wearing the badge provided, will be granted access to seats in the area reserved for delegates.
FAMILY: Immediate family members of a delegate who will be accompanying the delegate and staying in the same hotel room as the delegate. Family members are required to register at the General Conference Session, and when wearing the badge provided, will be granted access to seats in the area reserved for delegates.
SPECIAL GUESTS: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no attendees under the special guest category at the 2020 General Conference Session which was postponed to 2022.
TECHNICAL STAFF: Persons authorized and employed by the General Conference Session Management to care for managerial functions at the Session. Technical Staff are required to register and must wear the badge provided in order to have access to the field level seating area or to other restricted areas of the America’s Center Convention Complex.
EXHIBITORS: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no exhibitors at the 2020 General Conference Session which was postponed to 2022.
MEDIA: Duly authorized representatives of media services who are required to register at the Media Services desk in the America’s Center Convention Complex, Entry B Information Booth. PROTOCOL GUESTS: Officially invited guests. Protocol guests are required to register at the General Conference Session, and when wearing the badge provided, will be granted access to seats in the area reserved for delegates.
GENERAL ATTENDEES: Attendees who come as observers to the General Conference Session. General attendees will have access to seating in any area of the America’s Center Convention Complex except those areas reserved for delegates.
REVIVAL AND REFORMATION continues to be the Church’s greatest need in these last days. During this General Conference Session, take advantage of multiple opportunities to be inspired and encouraged as we seek the presence and power of Jesus!
• Join us in the prayer room as we present our prayer needs before the throne of grace. Delegates and general attendees are invited to join in Room 123 in the America’s Center Convention Complex, June 6 – 11, 2022, 09:00 to 18:00.
• In addition, delegates and virtual attendees are invited to join our online prayer room. More information can be found on the GC Session website.
• Find powerful and inspiring resources at the Revival and Reformation virtual booth and at revivalandreformation.org.
• Spiritual features at key points during the weekly program will call us back to our greatest need.
Come experience God’s transforming grace, and leave empowered to share the blessing with your congregation at home.
Adventist Review Ministries has reported the proceedings and actions of the General Conference Sessions beginning with the first Session in 1863. This Session is no different. A daily 48-page magazine, produced on-site and containing news and features of the Session, will be distributed each morning. The official business Session proceedings will be provided daily on the AdventistReview.org website.
Adventist World Radio Sales
As attendees from around the world – speaking a variety of languages – arrive at the General Conference Session, Adventist World Radio can help you access the simultaneous interpretation broadcasts that will be available in the stadium. AWR will have compact radios available for purchase at a cost of USD 25 each or two for USD 40. The radios will be available at Plaza Lobby South of the America’s Center Convention Complex.
Be Inspired Sabbath Afternoon with Adventist Mission 360: I Will Go and Mission on the Move
On Sabbath afternoon, join us for a colorful celebration of I Will Go with stories, music, and more. Reignite your passion for mission! For more information, visit: AdventistMission.org/2022GCSession Produced by the Office of Adventist Mission
Download resources and view seminars at our virtual booth and at sabbathschoolpersonalministries.org
