The business session of the 2026 Annual Council (AC) continued Friday, October 8 in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. The meeting opened with a devotional, prayer, and an orientation on how to vote.
General Conference (GC) president Erton Köhler chaired the meeting, called it to order, and established the rules and procedures.
“The Church belongs to the Lord,” Köhler reminded participants. “But the mission belongs to the Lord as well.”
Köhler reminded members of the theme of AC “Called for Mission" and how the theme is “a reminder for us that [mission] is the reason for our existence”.
“If we move forward, trusting in the Lord . . . the Lord will resolve every problem,” said Köhler.
Physician and executive committee member, Andi Hunsaker, opened the business session with a prayer.
Delegates reflecting on a passage of Scripture at the worship before the morning business session on Friday, October 9.
Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Loud Grace, presenting Special Music “If He Does Not Come First” at the morning business session on Friday, October 9.
Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
“I serve a real God”
The session opened with Dr. Artur Stele, GC general vice president, continuing his devotional series on the first six chapters of the book of Daniel.
For his second devotional, Dr. Stele presented on Daniel chapter 2, which focuses on the fundamental question “Is God real?”
“Our culture today is similar to the culture in Babylon,” said Dr. Stele. He shared the danger Daniel faced and his confidence that God was real.
Daniel demonstrates principles for handling a crisis—don’t panic, look for objective information, pray, and involve others in prayer.
Dr. Stele also shared a personal story about his time in compulsory military service as a young person. He faced hostility and people questioning his belief in God. He served his two years, ticking off the days until he finally reached the day he should be released, but his chief officer said that because he had taken Sabbaths off, they would add 100 days to his service time.
After this challenge, he was given a seemingly impossible assignment. After a miraculous circumstance, he succeeded and was released from service. He still has his plane ticket from that flight home.
He related his flight “out of Babylon” to our upcoming flight out of “Babylon” to heaven.
Business matters
One significant order of business was the announcement of a new parliamentarian for AC. For 20 years, Todd McFarland, GC General Counsel, has filled the role, but this year, André Wang, North Pacific Union Conference General Counsel, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, and attorney; will fill the role.
Hope Channel International (HCI) held their constituency meeting during the morning session.
HCI president Vyacheslav Demyan introduced the report, noting that it represented the network of 90 Hope Channels and that “every single one is sending media as missionaries.”
According to HCI vice president Robbie Berghan, the organization aims to reach 1 billion people by 2030.
“As of this morning, there are 59 million, which is just the number of unique viewers exposed to Hope Channel content on our digital network.”
Demyan also reminded attendees that “Hope Channel as a network is fully involved in OneVoice27.”
The report was accepted unanimously.
Vyacheslav Demyan, President, Hope Channel International, Inc. (HC), presenting 120. Hope Channel International Constituency Meeting at the morning business session on Friday, October 9. Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Andi Hunsaker preparing to pray at the opening of the morning business meeting on Friday, October 9. Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
A report was given by the Seventh-day Adventist food factories, with representatives from South America presenting a video report.
The business session addressed the recent resignation of Northern Asia-Pacific Division president, Kang Soongi. Köhler explained that an investigation was still taking place. The resignation letter was read in full by Rick McEdward, GC executive secretary. A motion was made to accept the letter with 217 votes to 13.
Three divisions, South American (SAD), Southern Asia-Pacific (SSD), and Inter-American (IAD), presented short video reports on the progress of OneVoice27 in their territories.
The SAD report shared the story of a woman named Darcy who watched a video on her phone in the middle of the night, which led her to connect with a local church and be baptized.
In SSD, churches spent time in prayer and Bible study for forty days of prayer so members would be ready to launch.
All 25 unions in IAD used resources provided, engaged local influencers and rolled the initiative out through the churches. For example, in the Caribbean, 268 content creators committed to serving through the initiative. Indigenous groups in Mexico are sharing content in their own languages.
Throughout the week, each division will also be given time to share reports.
Attendees were inspired by a sermon from nine-year old, Jaazan Taylor, part of the Messengers of Hope program, who encouraged them, no matter their age, to follow God’s calling.
At the end of the business, a special-edition study guide and reading plan for Ellen White's Desire of Ages were handed out to members of the executive committee in their own languages. Köhler encouraged them to swap signatures with others, so when they read the book they can remember their connection with the global church family.
