In his report during the 62nd General Conference Session on July 3, 2025, General Conference (GC) president Ted N. C. Wilson presented a global overview of Seventh-day Adventist mission during the 2022–2025 period. His remarks focused on Total Member Involvement (TMI), evangelistic campaigns, education, health outreach, and church growth around the world.
“We give God all the glory for what He has done through you, members and leaders of His remnant church,” Wilson said.
Wilson opened by acknowledging global crises such as wars, disasters, and division, then reaffirmed the church’s mission amid these challenges. Referencing Revelation 12:17 and a statement by Ellen G. White, he emphasized the faithfulness and global reach of God’s people in these final days.
“God will have a people,” Wilson said. “A chosen people from all nations, all tongues, in all parts of the habitable world.”
Mission Growth in Varied Contexts
One of his first mission reports focused on Papua New Guinea and PNG for Christ, where more than 10,000 home Bible study groups were formed in advance of large-scale public evangelism. Volunteers provided more than 23,000 free medical treatments before the meetings began, opening doors for spiritual engagement. Thousands were baptized as a result of the multi-phase outreach effort.
In Mongolia, 21 evangelistic sites hosted meetings that resulted in 155 baptisms. The total Adventist membership in the country now exceeds 3,300, a significant increase since the first baptisms in 1993. In Siberia, Russia, members held nightly evangelistic meetings in the small town of Isilkul during winter. Despite freezing temperatures, five individuals were baptized, and the meetings became a source of inspiration for the local church.
In South Sudan, church members spent months preparing for a major evangelistic series in the capital city of Juba. Nearly 200 individuals were baptized, including several in the Nile River. In Nigeria’s Eastern Union Conference, a local chief accepted the Adventist message during a prayer and baptismal festival. He later led his village council to donate land for a new Adventist church—marking the beginning of outreach in a previously unentered area.
Engaging Urban and Secular Audiences
Wilson also emphasized the Adventist Church’s efforts to reach urban and secular populations. In Prague, Czech Republic, meetings were held under the “Christ for Europe” initiative, highlighting mission in post-Christian societies. In San Francisco, California, members partnered with Streams of Light International to distribute literature and conduct multilingual evangelistic meetings. The campaign included evening services, translation support, and free meals. A musical highlight featured a Slavic choir composed of Adventists from both Ukraine and Russia, offering a message of unity in faith.
“Even in times of war, we are still united as brothers and sisters in Christ,” he said.
In Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, a local restaurant served as the venue for a week-long evangelistic series organized by church members. Located in the busy Pratunam district, the restaurant welcomed guests each night for singing, health presentations, and Bible messages. The effort was one of more than 30 local initiatives launched as part of the “Christ for Thailand” campaign.
Wilson identified sidewalk evangelism as a highly adaptable method that is widely embraced across the global church, allowing believers to meet people where they are—on the sidewalk—ready to offer a pamphlet, flyer, book, or smile. More than 41,000 members in 5,437 churches across 10 divisions participated, resulting in 14,136 baptisms and the planting of 32 new churches.
He shared, “The simplicity of sidewalk evangelism is what makes it so powerful and inclusive.”
Youth, Children, and Families in Mission
“Children play a vital role in Total Member Involvement,” Wilson stated, highlighting the involvement of children and youth in spreading the gospel.
In Ecuador, more than 800 children participated in the “Evangelism Kids” project, which teaches mission as an active lifestyle. In Burundi, a girl named TMI—named after the initiative—prayed for a voice for mission and then used her singing and personal witness to bring her teachers and classmates to church.
Across East-Central Africa, more than 50,000 evangelistic meetings were held, leading to more than 900,000 baptisms. In Zambia, 80,000 baptisms were recorded during the “Impact SID” campaign. In Eswatini, Prince Bandzile Dlamini and four of his warriors were baptized, publicly affirming their commitment to share the gospel.
A new Family Impact Campaign in East-Central Africa emphasized spiritual leadership at home. The initiative resulted in the addition of 75,000 members and achieved a 90 percent retention rate, highlighting the value of family-based discipleship.
Technology and Media Expand Reach
Several divisions reported new digital innovations. The Korean Union Conference launched the Seventh-day Adventist Church GPT, an AI chatbot that provides doctrinal information and Bible study support. In South America, the new 7chat.ai platform offers sermon-building tools, Bible answers, and guidance for health and mission programs. Both tools are intended to enhance digital evangelism and church member engagement.
Since 2022 Adventist media has expanded exponentially. Hope Channel International expanded its network to 84 channels and introduced AI dubbing technology capable of translating video content into more than 30 languages. In 2023, Hope Channel’s Hope for Africa campaign contributed to 194,000 baptisms. Adventist World Radio (AWR) added 187 new radio and internet stations. AWR also distributed more than 73,000 audio devices and received more than 80,000 Bible study requests from its new station in Bogotá, Colombia.
In China, members used a simple food ministry, offering steamed buns known as mantou, as a tool for relationship-building and outreach. Originally created as a holiday gift for church members, the Mantou Ministry expanded to include other faith communities and even local government officials. More than 200 baptisms were attributed to the effort.
Health and Humanitarian Service
Health ministry remained a key area of outreach. In Ukraine, the Angelia Clinic in Kyiv continued to provide wholistic care during the ongoing conflict. Supported by Loma Linda University Health, the clinic’s services include mental health support, mobile clinics, and addiction recovery programs. Clinic staff reported thousands of patients treated in war-affected areas.
In the Inter-American Division, more than three million copies of Ellen G. White’s The Great Controversy were distributed during Global Youth Day. In Bolivia, members mobilized through Impacto Esperanza, distributing more than one million books across cities and villages. Students in Santa Cruz even delivered copies to law enforcement personnel as part of a wider public outreach.
The 2024 Paris Olympics also provided a platform for mission. More than 136,000 books and health guides were shared with Olympic visitors through the collaborative efforts of ASI France-Belgium, AWR, and local churches.
Education and Theological Development
Wilson emphasized the role of education and theological training in supporting global mission. Adventist universities such as AIIAS in the Philippines, the Adventist University of Africa in Kenya, and Andrews University in the United States continue to prepare leaders with a strong biblical foundation. The Biblical Research Institute hosted theological retreats for more than 500 professors and published several new volumes, including works on the Trinity, technology ethics, and scriptural authority.
The Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum was launched in 2025 for younger age groups, with future phases scheduled through 2028. Meanwhile, the Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) expanded its education initiatives, launched a digital fossil museum, and opened two new branch offices, in Africa and in the Euro-Asia Division.
Sacrifice and Faithfulness in Mission
The final portion of the report honored Bob and Gary Roberts, father and son pilots who served with Adventist Aviation in Papua, Indonesia. Both died in service—Bob in 2014 and Gary in 2024. Their story was presented as an example of lifelong commitment to mission.
Jan Roberts, wife and mother, was interviewed on stage.
“Jan, we want to honor you today and give tribute to the selfless mission service that your family has given to the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” Wilson said.
Asked if the sacrifice was worth it, she responded with gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “They died doing what they loved,” she said.
Wilson concluded the report with an appeal for commitment and urgency. “Jesus is coming soon,” he said. “Let us invite the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts so He can do something extraordinary in His church.” Delegates were invited to stand and sing “We Have This Hope” as a recommitment to the church’s global mission.
The original article was published in te Adventist News network website.
