The General Conference (GC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, launched the OneVoice27 initiative on September 3. To celebrate the beginning of the initiative, employees were invited to a special prayer dedication.
The prayer dedication began with a song service led by Fitz McKenzie, business intern for the GC; Crystal Ward, associate ministerial secretary for the GC; Victoria Mills, senior editorial assistant for Adventist Mission; Karen Miranda, assistant publication project manager of the GC Sabbath School and Personal Ministries department; Chayah Miranda, administrative assistant for the GC; Mighty De La Bel, corporate services coordinator for the GC treasury department; Pierce Mackenzie, guest; Jadon Mabena, audio visual specialist for Hope Channel International; and JB Wa-Mbaleka, office temp for the GC.
A special music was then held by Arautos do Rei, a quartet from the South American Division.
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Erton Köhler, president of the GC, led a devotional thought. He explained the purpose of the OneVoice27 initiative and encouraged staff to participate.
“OneVoice27 is about mission,” said Köhler. “Your mission is to proclaim the second coming of Jesus.”
Global Launch Day (September 5) aims to mobilize at least one million Seventh-day Adventist Church members to post how Jesus makes “All things new” on their social media using the hashtag #allthingsnew—based on Revelation 21:5. By the time September 2027 arrives, church leaders would love to see every member involved.
“My first reaction is: it is impossible,” said Köhler. “It is impossible when we think about our internal problems. OneVoice27 is bigger than us. The only way we can announce [to the whole world that] Jesus will come is through a miracle. That is the only way.”
Köhler told GC staff that OneVoice27 needs a strong movement of prayer. He cited four reasons each staff member should continuously pray for the initiative: the mission is too big for humans to do without God’s intervention; if we are moving forward in the mission, the enemy will try to destroy it; the initiative calls for all church members to come together in one voice; and only through the Holy Spirit can Jesus give us the power to move the mission forward.
“My invitation to all of you, keep praying for this movement,” said Köhler. “I’m sure the Lord will open all doors.”
Dora Desamour, employment specialist for GC Human Resources department, led a personal consecration, encouraging GC staff to ask God “to please equip us, to please guide us, to please shape us, to please mold us” as the OneVoice27 global movement launches on September 5.
Dr. Audrey Andersson, vice president of the GC, led a group prayer asking God to unite Church members for the mission: “We pray that you will give us unity not only in this building but in our churches and our homes—that we will be such a power in scope that we will pray in one voice that Jesus is coming soon.”
Juan Cabrera, associate director of digital media technologies for the GC; Jacqueline Kuhn, ISE specialist for the GC; and Aniel Barbe, associate director of the GC stewardship department, led a corporate prayer in Spanish, Portuguese, and French, respectively.
Ward introduced the prayer initiative for OneVoice27, utilizing the call and response “No prayer, no power. Little prayer, little power. But with much prayer, much power.”
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Photo: George Nelson and Lacey Stecker
Each GC employee received a prayer journal, a prayer card, and a pen. The prayer journal includes a weekly prayer prompt leading up to the OneVoice27 campaign’s peak in September 2027. The prayer cards are for personal prayer requests to be pinned to a prayer wall set up in the atrium of the GC office. GC staff are encouraged to pray over the wall throughout the year.
The prayer chapel at the GC offices will also host prayer sessions. Chaplains will be available for special prayers throughout the year.
“It will truly be an experience of transformation in our building,” Ward said.
Paul Douglas, treasurer for the GC, held a prayer of commitment: “For every social media post, for every broadcast, for every sermon preached, for every activity, we dedicate to You [God].”
Rick McEdward, secretariat for the GC, led the closing prayer, encouraging GC staff to continue praying, to use their digital influence now and over the next year, and to leverage their personal influence. “God is going to bring out people, and we need faithful people who will catch them and bring them into the loving arms of the Savior.”
McEdward ended the program with a single question: “How will you participate in OneVoice27?”
Join the OneVoice27 movement at www.onevoice27.org.
