GC Session Program Guide

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MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OFFICERS

WELCOME

Welcome to the 61st General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, held in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 6 to June 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 GC Session, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed twice because of 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 lastday remnant movement, and 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!

¹White, Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 204.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

On behalf of all delegates, the officers of the General Conference gratefully acknowledge the following contributions that were made to ensure the success of the 61st Session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists:

America’s Center Convention Complex. We appreciate your kindness and patience during our multiple visits as we became acquainted with this attractive and functional facility. Your staff has been most gracious in responding to our thousands of questions. Thank you.

Denominational Organizations. Thank you to the many denominational organizations that allowed us to tap the skills of their staff in the planning stages and in St. Louis as technical staff for the Session.

Steinway Piano Gallery, St. Louis The loan of your beautiful organ has enriched our worship experience. Thank you. For more information about Steinway Piano Gallery, please visit https://www.steinwaypianogallery.com/

Kettering Health. Thank you for providing young adults to help in multiple tasks at the Session. Your energy revives us.

Musicians. To the hundreds of musicians who have shared their talents, we thank you for lifting our thoughts heavenward.

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau. A heartfelt thank you to the St. Louis CVB for their gracious assistance in our planning. You have guided and encouraged us each step of the way.

Andrews University Students. We thank you for your efficient operation of the information booths. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

AdventHealth. Thank you for providing the water bottles for our delegates. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

All locations are in the America’s Center Convention Complex (ACCC), which has a Convention side and a Dome side.

Announcements. Limited announcements will be made from the main platform. Announcements pertaining to the business of the Session may be displayed on the monitors located throughout the America’s Center Convention Complex (ACCC). All such announcements should be presented in writing to the Business Center/Session Management Office, Room 255, Convention side or Rooms 143–144, Dome side.

Business Center/Session Management Office is located on Level 2 of the ACCC, Room 255, Convention side, or Rooms 143–144, Dome side.

Session Management Phone:
Room 255, 314-342-5501;
Rooms 143–144, 314-342-5504.

Committee room scheduling, spot announcements, and copy services are provided for delegates, technical staff, and those involved in official Session business. Hours are: 09:00–19:00. Should you require banking services, please visit the Session treasurer in Rooms 143–144, Dome side.

Cell Phones. Please be respectful of othersby placing your cell phone on vibrate. Kindly take your calls in hallways or other areas where you will not disturb those around you, or the meeting in progress.

Deaf Seating Area. Interpretation in American Sign Language will be provided in Field Level, in the Dome, west side, behind delegate seating. For those desiring to use sound amplification, FM radio transmission is available. FM radios are available for sale at the Adventist World Radio (AWR) booth, Plaza Lobby South, Convention side.

Delegate Floor Access. Access to the delegate seating area is limited to delegates, staff, and official guests with badges.

Demonstrations. The General Conference does not permit any demonstrations or unauthorized distribution of literature in areas it controls during the Session.

First Aid, Security, or Cleanup. To report an emergency requiring first aid, security, or a spill clean-up, follow the instructions below:

Cleanup. Report spills to the nearest building staff or Levy Foods Catering person. You could also alert someone in the Business Center/Session Management Office, and they will call the
housekeeping staff.

First Aid is located on:
Convention Center: Plaza First Aid Room
Dome: First Aid Room 126

FOOD SERVICE

Prepurchased meal tickets: Proof of purchase and photo ID are needed to pick up prepurchased meal tickets at the Courtyard Lobby, Dome side. Hours: 09:00–12:00, Monday–Friday, and 14:30–16:00, Sunday Friday. (closed Sabbath). n Purchasing meal tickets on site: A limited number of meal tickets are available for purchase during GC Session at the Ticket Lobby Booth, Dome side. Hours: 09:00–12:00, Monday Friday, and 14:30–16:00, Sunday–Friday 09:00–14:00 (closed Sabbath).

VIRTUAL EXHIBITS

Website
https://www.gcsession.org/virtualexhibits/

• Virtual booths: connecting us— members, leaders, businesses, and organizations—with sharing materials, downloadable resources, poster presentations, and more.
• Interact with visitors and exhibitors.
• An online Market Place to purchase products.
• A variety of games, scavenger hunts, and quizzes, making the event fun for all.
• A photo booth to take your photo and enter it into a photo contest.

COVID-19

• 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.

Please provide the specific location of the incident. DO NOT call 9-1-1 from a cell phone. Emergency number: 314-342-5081.

Lost Children. Lost children should be taken to a security officer or to the Business Center/Session Management Office on Level 2 of the ACCC, Room 255, Convention side. Be sure to make arrangements with your family to meet in a designated place should you become separated.

Lost and Found. Lost and found articles should be taken to the Security Dispatch Office in the ACCC, Room 182, Dome side. Delegate backpacks are frequently misplaced. Please complete the identification tag for your backpack so that it can be returned to you.

Music Use and Recording. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has secured permission to use music at this Session. That permission is not transferable to others. Use or recording of any music is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

Parking. Parking is available in many lots adjacent to the ACCC. Rates vary depending on the lot.

Personal Belongings. Keep your personal belongings with you at all times. Do not leave briefcases or other packages in the delegate area, meeting rooms, or halls. They will be removed by security and may be destroyed.

Pictures. Official photographers have been assigned to cover the events of the Session. Reporters, editors, and communication directors requiring pictures should apply for an account at https:/media. adventistexchange.org.

Post Office. Incoming mail should be directed to your hotel. Outgoing mail may be sent from your hotel’s concierge desk or from the post office located at 111 North 6th Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Phone: 800-275- 8777.

Prayer Room. Whenever the Church has accomplished something great for God, there has been a group of intercessors in a side room, praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Because of the opportunities and challenges facing this Church in the quinquennium ahead, and because of the significant decisions being made here concerning leadership and priorities, you are invited to be part of such a prayer group. Prayer warriors will be meeting in the Prayer Room from 09:00–18:00 every day. You are invited to join them and pray either in a group, or with a prayer warrior for a personal need, or by yourself if you just need a quiet place. We look forward to seeing you in Room 123, Convention side.

Public Responses. As we meet together for this General Conference Session, we rejoice at evidences of the Lord’s goodness and leading in our midst. To Him alone be the glory! In our worship and business sessions let us respond publicly in ways that exalt Him, which at appropriate times may include applause. It is requested, however, that there be no applause in response to speeches made on the floor during business sessions.

Registration. Delegates and technical staff must register and receive their official badge. Registration is located in Hall 2 of the ACCC, Convention side. Late registration is in Room 124, Convention side, on June 6, 06:30–17:30, and June 7 to 10, 09:00–17:30.

Sale of Literature or Other Material. The General Conference does not permit sales or distribution of literature, music, souvenirs, or any other material.

Simultaneous Interpretation. Session proceedings are being broadcast in various languages by FM radio. You may provide your own FM receiver or purchase one at the Adventist World Radio kiosk in the Plaza Lobby South. Check the Session app for languages and channels.

Wheelchair, Stroller, and/or Disabled Access. Disabled access for the ACCC is available at the street level of all entrances.

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RECORDING NOTICE
The General Conference makes recordings of this Session. While recording is primarily used for archival and recordkeeping purposes, the General Conference reserves the right to make copies and publish all or a portion of the recordings. Those who speak during the Session are deemed to have granted the General Conference permission to record and publish, at its sole discretion, their speeches or presentations.

LOGO TRADEMARK NOTICE
Seventh-day Adventist,® Adventist,® SDA, TM and the Church logo are trademarks owned by the General Conference Corporation and may not be used without prior written authorization.

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A LOOK AT SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

THE WORLD CHURCH

	2015	2020
Countries/Areas in which SDA work is established	215	212
Countries/Areas as recognized by the United Nations	237	235
Languages/dialects used in publications and oral work	1,002	838**
Divisions	13	13
Union conferences and missions	135	138
Local conferences and missions	655	731
Churches	81,552	92,876
Companies	69,909	72,562
Church membership	19,126,438	21,912,161+
Sabbath school (membership) attendance	6,253,993	5,634,242
Ordained ministers	19,301	20,924
Total active employees	287,121	322,120
Total long-term missionaries	911	738
World Mission Fund, including Sabbath School	$85,820,894	$66,544,458

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

	2015	2020
Schools	8,198	9,419
Enrollment	1,922,982	2,023,844
Teachers	102,778	113,638
Tertiary institutions (colleges and universities)	114	118

HEALTHCARE MINISTRY

	2015	2020
Hospitals and sanitariums	180	229
Nursing homes and retirement centers	121	129
Clinics and dispensaries	441	1475***
Orphanages and children’s homes	21	15++
Admissions (inpatients)	1,264,022	1,071,958
Outpatient visits	18,494,356	21,198,583

PUBLISHING WORK

	2015	2020
Publishing houses and branches	61	57
Periodicals published	356	493
Sales	$174,082,139	$128,235,983
Languages and dialects used in publications	375	342

*** Derived from the online United Nation’s Statistics Division, Standard
Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49) list.
*** Lower figure than previously reported, because of a more accurate
counting method that eliminates duplicates.
*** Higher figure than previously reported due to the inclusion of all SDA clinics
listed in the SDA Yearbook.
+++ 2021 Year-end Membership.
+++ Incomplete reporting.
Prepared by the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

GENERAL CONFERENCE AND DIVISION ELECTED PERSONNEL

ADMINISTRATION

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DEPARTMENTS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND SERVICES

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DIVISION OFFICERS

Inspirational Session

Seeking the Holy Spirit’s Power Together

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“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (LUKE 55:57, NKJV)

“Pray that the mighty energies of the Holy Spirit, with all their quickening, recuperative, and transforming power, may fall like an electric shock on the palsystricken soul, causing every nerve to thrill with new life, restoring the whole man from his dead, earthly, sensual state to spiritual soundness.” —WHITE, 8T 69:

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Begin the 61st Session of the General Conference

with thousands of delegates and guests from all over the world seeking the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These inspirational sessions from 08:10–09:40 will feature in-depth Bible study, intercessory prayer, heartfelt praise, worshipful music, and powerful testimonies. Be sure to join Mark Finley, Dwight Nelson, Barry Black, and other outstanding speakers for this deeply spiritual beginning to the Session.

MONDAY, JUNE 6 / 08:10-9:40

PLATFORM ASSIGNMENTS DAILY PROGRAM SCHEDULE

HOUR	EVENT	CHAIR	SECRETARY
Monday, June 6 10:00–12:30 14:00–17:30 19:00–20:45	Business Session	Abner De los Santos Ella S Simmons Artur A Stele	Gerson P Santos Karen J Porter Claude J Richli
Tuesday, June 7 09:15–12:30 14:00–17:30 19:00–20:45	Business Session	Thomas L Lemon Guillermo E Biaggi Geoffrey G Mbwana	Gerson P Santos Gary D Krause Elbert Kuhn
Wednesday, June 8 09:15–12:30 14:00–17:30 19:30–20:30	Business Session	Ella S Simmons Artur A Stele Abner De los Santos	Karen J Porter Claude J Richli Elbert Kuhn
Thursday, June 9 09:15–12:30 14:00–17:30 19:30–21:15	Business Session	Guillermo E Biaggi Geoffrey G Mbwana Thomas L Lemon	Gary D Krause Elbert Kuhn Karen J Porter

COMMITTEES

PROPOSED STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE 2022 GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION

CHURCH MANUAL COMMITTEE

• Guillermo E Biaggi, Chair
• Abner De los Santos, Vice-chair
• Gerson P Santos, Secretary
• Tamara K Boward, Recording Secretary

Members: Kyoshin Ahn, Viktor Alyeksyeyenko, Audrey E Andersson, Kingsley C Anonaba, Rudy R Baloyo, Bert B Beach, Lesleigh A E Bower, Elias Brasil de Souza, Changhyun Choi, Alain G Coralie, Paul H Douglas, Karnik Doukmetzian, Robert B Dulay, George O Egwakhe, Dwain Esmond, Stanley B Fernandes, Carolyn Forrest, Pavel Goia, Edward Heidinger, Elie Henry, Anthony R Kent, Khrawbor Kharbteng, Linda Mei Lin Koh, Erton C Kohler, Stephane Le Guilcher, Barna Magyarosi, Geoffrey G Mbwana, Rainford McIntosh, Wilson Measapogu, Hensley M Moorooven, Rodia M M Musonda, Isaiah M G Ok, Jerry N Page, Rayla Pikeri, Leslie N Pollard, Gideon P Reyneke, Claude J Richli, Richard A Sabuin, Mykola Shpylchuk, Michael B Sikuri, Heather-Dawn K Small, Florence M S Sombie, Artur A Stele, Alberto R Timm, Ted N C Wilson.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE

• Ted N C Wilson, Chair
• Geoffrey G Mbwana, Vice-chair
• Hensley M Moorooven, Secretary
• Laurie J Schmidt, Recording Secretary

Members: Kyoshin Ahn, Viktor Alyeksyeyenko, Audrey E Andersson, Kingsley C Anonaba, Rudy R Baloyo, Lisa M Beardsley-Hardy, Guillermo E Biaggi, Elias Brasil de Souza, Mario Brito, Pierre Caporal Sr, Alain G Coralie, Abner De los Santos, Marlon de Souza Lopes, Paul H Douglas, Karnik Doukmetzian, Edward Heidinger, Vincent Injety, Nenad Jepuranovic, Leonard A Johnson, Orlan Johnson, J Francois Keet, Erton C Kohler, Michael Kruger, Elbert Kuhn, Thomas L Lemon, Andrea T Luxton, Barna Magyarosi, Todd R McFarland, Wilson Measapogu, Derek J Morris, Daisy J F Orion, Kathryn L Proffitt, Gideon P Reyneke, C Randolph Robinson, Blasious M Ruguri, Richard A Sabuin, Saw Samuel, Michael B Sikuri, Ella S Simmons, Joel D Tompkins, Bassey E O Udoh, Ivan I Velgosha, Chinta J Victor, Teixera M Vinte, James Winegardner, Jennifer Woods, Lori T Yingling. Invitee: Tamara K Boward

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

As provided for by the General Conference Constitution and Bylaws

STEERING COMMITTEE*

• Ted N C Wilson, Chair
• Hensley M Moorooven, Secretary

Members: Kyoshin Ahn, Timothy H Aka, Stanley E Arco, Guillermo E Biaggi, Mario A Brito, G Alexander Bryant, Sheri Clemmer, Abner De los Santos, Paul H Douglas, Karnik Doukmetzian, George O Egwakhe, Larry R Evans, Mark A Finley, Elie Henry, Raafat A Kamal, Mikhail F Kaminskiy, Si Young Kim, Erton C Kohler, Gary D Krause, Elbert Kuhn, Ezras Lakra, Thomas L Lemon, German A Lust, Solomon Maphosa, Geoffrey G Mbwana, Todd R McFarland, Duane McKey, Daisy J F Orion, Lissy Park, Magdiel E Perez Schulz, Karen J Porter, C Randolph Robinson, Blasious M Ruguri, Michael L Ryan, Claude J Richli, Saw Samuel, Gerson P Santos, Silvia Sicalo, Ella S Simmons, Artur A Stele, Glenn C Townend, J Raymond Wahlen II, Elie Weick.
Invitees: Tamara K Boward, Williams S Costa Jr, William M Knott.

*As recommended to the Session by the General Conference Administrative Committee

SESSION PLANNING COMMITTEE

Planning and preparation for a General Conference Session requires the time and effort of many individuals. The Session Planning Committee includes the chairpersons of each of the various Session Planning subcommittees. We want to thank the members of the Session Planning Committee and all the subcommittees for their contributions to the General Conference Session.

• Geoffrey G Mbwana, Chair
• Guillermo E Biaggi, Vice-chair
• George O Egwakhe, Secretary, Session Manager
• Silvia Sicalo, Associate Secretary, Associate Session Manager
• Sheri Clemmer, Assistant to the Session Manager
• Paul H Douglas, General Conference Treasurer
• Erton C Kohler, General Conference Secretary
• Magdiel E Perez Schulz, Assistant to the President
• Kevin Daniel, Session Treasurer

SESSION PLANNING SUBCOMMITTEES

• Guillermo E Biaggi, Chair, Audiovisual Broadcast Committee
• Rick Remmers, Chair, Collateral Events Committee
• J Raymond Wahlen, Chair, Finance Committee; Undertreasurer
• Stephen Filkoski, Chair, Information Technology Systems
• Guillermo E Biaggi, Chair, Session Media Committee
• Williams S Costa Jr, Chair, Music Committee
• Thomas L Lemon, Chair, Platform Committee
• C Randolph Robinson, Chair, Seating, Ushering, and Materials Distribution Committee
• Hensley M Moorooven, Chair, Secretariat Services Committee
• John Szasz, Chair, Procurement and Distribution Committee
• Ted N C Wilson, Chair, Program Committee

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DEVOTIONAL SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

MORNING

Monday, June 6	Seeking the Holy Spirit Together in Prayer, Music, and the Word	Mark Finley, Barry Black, and Dwight Nelson
Tuesday, June 7	The Rest of the Story	Dwain Esmond
Wednesday, June 8	What Will You Give Me, and How Will I Inherit It?	Jongimpi Papu
Thursday, June 9	The Life and Ministry of Mary Magdalene	Charissa Torossian
Friday, June 10	Jesus Is Coming Because He Said So!	William Lee

EVENING

Monday, June 6	I Believe!	Timothy Standish
Tuesday, June 7	In the Beginning God Created	Ronny Nalin
Wednesday, June 8	My God Did This!	Suzanne Phillips
Thursday, June 9	In the Beginning, There Was Love	Noemí Durán
Friday, June 10	In the Beginning, There Was Love	Duane McKey, Ramón Canals, and Jim Howard