On July 6, 2025, during the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session in St. Louis, Missouri, delegates elected Artur A. Stele as one of seven general vice presidents of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the 2025–2030 quinquennium.

Born in Kaskelen, Kazakhstan, Stele began his professional career in pharmacy before transitioning to ministry. He earned a theology degree from Friedensau University in Germany in 1986, followed by a master’s and doctorate in theology from Andrews University in 1993 and 1996, respectively.

Stele’s service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church spans pastoral ministry, academic leadership, and administration. He served as academic dean and president of Zaoksky Theological Seminary in Russia, and later as president of the Euro-Asia Division. His fluency in Russian, German, and English has supported his wide-ranging contributions to the global church.

He is married to Galina, the first woman to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University. They have one son, Alexander, and a grandson, Leonard.

The election is part of the broader decision-making process of the GC Session, where global delegates gather every five years for worship, prayer, and organizational leadership decisions.

For more information about the 2025 General Conference session, visit http://www.gcsession.org. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.