SILVER SPRING, Md. — More than 440 global church leaders gathered at the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s world headquarters for the annual business meetings of the General Conference (GC) Executive Committee. Held under the theme “Called for Mission,” the weeklong summit, running from Oct. 7 to Oct. 14, 2026, focused on accelerating digital outreach, reviewing administrative policies and tackling structural developments ahead of the coming decade.
Among those representing global leadership were delegates from the Philippines, including Pastor Eliezer Barlizo Jr., president of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, who joined five other union presidents from across the country for the international deliberations and strategic planning sessions.
The 2026 Annual Council (AC) opened with cultural dress and a flag-bearing ceremony on the night of October 7, with Pastor Erton Köhler, GC president; Rick McEdward, GC secretary; and Paul H. Douglas, GC chief financial officer, welcoming them.
“This time of the year is a very busy time for us here. But when you arrive here, with your presence, with your voice, with your languages, with your outfits, you bring joy to this building because this is the house of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide,” President Köhler said.
He added that the GC Annual Council is Adventists’ most important global meeting each year. “The annual council is a time for us to deal with the business of the Lord, and at the same time, to be inspired and to recommit ourselves to the Lord, to the Word of God, to His church, and especially to His mission. “
Mapping a Path: Multi-Year Church Manual Revision
A major legislative action during the business sessions came on Oct. 11, when delegates voted to approve a motion for a comprehensive, multi-year revision of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual. Presented by GC Associate Secretary Gerson Santos, the initiative lays out terms of reference and an organized timeline intended to yield a streamlined manual ready for final recommendations at the 2030 General Conference Session.
In a published article dated Oct. 14, Jarrod Stackelroth quoted Jonathan Lamorin, an executive committee member of the global church from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, who encouraged attendees to remember that change is always present, and that they could “submit it to the Holy Spirit, to the Lord,” and that it would be done with “good intentions” to present the revisions for the “good of the church.”
Leadership Elections
During the council, the General Conference Executive Committee filled key leadership vacancies by electing Rick Remmers as General Conference general vice president and appointing Kim SunHwan as president of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division.
Marking Milestones: 100 Years of Working Policy
The 2026 council also served as a historical checkpoint, marking the 100th anniversary of the General Conference Working Policy. Delegates reflected on a century of administrative guidelines that have governed church operations, alongside modern upgrades such as expanded digital access initiatives. Additionally, attendees passed a significant document to help church members observe and explain the upcoming 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ baptism.
LEAD Conference and Digital Evangelism
Among the features of the council sessions was the LEAD Conference under the banner “Media for Mission.” Discussions stressed audience-centered communication, digital evangelism and the rollout of new app architectures. Highlighting efforts such as the OneVoice27 initiative, church communicators stressed the importance of modern technology in expanding global outreach.
Institutional updates throughout the week also covered global financial development for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, or ADRA; regional division reports; religious liberty challenges; and updates from Adventist food factories worldwide.
“Attending the 2026 Annual Council under the inspiring theme ‘Called for Mission’ has been a deeply enriching experience. Standing alongside fellow leaders from across the globe—and united with my fellow union presidents from the Philippines—reminds us of the vastness and harmony of God’s work.
Vital Role of Adventist Health Foods
Meanwhile, Köhler reminded members of the GC ExeCom during the October 9 morning business session that health food factories are an integral part of the church family. He explained that it is a privilege to have these facilities represent and advance the health message the Lord entrusted to them through the products they produce and sell.
Commitment to Global Strategy and Administrative Updates
Given the heavy emphasis during the LEAD Conference on “Media for Mission,” audience-centered communication, and digital initiatives like OneVoice27, Pastor Barlizo is inspired to adopt and expand these modern communication strategies across his union to reach broader audiences in the Philippines.
“Attending the 2026 Annual Council under the inspiring theme ‘Called for Mission’ has been a deeply enriching experience. Standing alongside fellow leaders from across the globe—and united with my fellow union presidents from the Philippines—reminds us of the vastness and harmony of God’s work,” Barlizo stated.
He shared that the event’s strong emphasis on digital evangelism and media outreach particularly resonated with him. “When I return to the ECPUC, I would disseminate these modern communication strategies to expand our reach, strengthen our administrative frameworks in line with the church’s global vision, and answer the call for mission with passion and unity.”
Source Attribution: This article draws on reporting and archival documentation from the Adventist News Network (ANN) and the General Conference Executive Committee Live Portal, which covered the 2026 Annual Council in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Multi-year Church Manual Revision:
https://adventist.news/news/church-manual-will-undergo-comprehensive-revision-before-2030
Leadership Elections:
https://adventistreview.org/news/rick-remmers-elected-general-conference-vice-president/
https://adventist.news/news/kim-sunhwan-elected-northern-asia-pacific-division-president
Marking Milestones: 100 Years of Working Policy
https://adventist.news/news/adventist-church-marks-100-years-of-working-policy
ADRA’s report on Funding Status: