The 2026 Annual Council (AC), themed “Called for Mission” opened Wednesday evening, with cultural dress and a flag bearing ceremony on October 7, as more than 440 leaders from around the world gathered in the General Conference (GC) auditorium, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
For eight days, the business of the church is discussed, reports are given, and church leaders hear updates of the progress the church is making around the world.
Before the business of the 121st Annual Council opened, delegates registered and enjoyed a welcome reception with a chance for delegates to reconnect with colleagues from around the world.
In welcoming attendees, GC president Erton Köhler reminded attendees that their presence was welcome at the GC building.
“When you arrive here—with your presence, your voice, your languages, your outfits—you bring joy to the building because you are representing the world church family,” he said.
Köhler also shared special thanks for those church leaders who have come before, mentioning former presidents Ted Wilson and Jan Paulsen.
“We will be together for eight days, I hope those will be a blessing for your life and for our church as well,” said Köhler.
Rick McEdward, GC executive secretary, welcomed the new members of the executive committee and had them stand to be acknowledged by their peers.
In the opening prayer, Paul Douglas, GC treasurer, asked God to provide the “power we need and the strength to do all the work You [God] have called us to do.”
The officers began by reading the terms of reference for AC, reading the mission, method, and vision statements, and confirming a quorum was present for the meetings to be officially opened.
In a video message played before business officially opened, the GC executive team of president, secretary, and treasurer, along with other department directors, welcomed attendees to the building and described the work that happens in the building, including any safety protocols people might need during their time at the meetings.
Then, GC employees and local Adventists walked in, holding candles and flags from more than 200 countries, standing in a circle around the auditorium before a video played, highlighting the theme “Called for Mission”.
“Look at the colors, look at the cultures represented in our world church,” said McEdward.
“We come from different countries, we speak different languages, we have different flags,” said Douglas. Attendees chuckled in agreement as he acknowledged that they would be scanning the room to find their own country's flag.
“In 2027, we will have one flag,” he said. The church will be “speaking in one voice about the Jesus who came and the Jesus who’s coming back again.”
Each attendee had their own OneVoice27 flag beside their seat and was encouraged to pull out their cell phone and light up their flag as the lights were dimmed and the OneVoice27 theme song was played.
Presenting the devotional messages for the week was Artur Stele, GC general vice president, who spoke on the first six chapters of the book of Daniel. He presented a summary of the history of the kingdom of Israel, up to the days of Daniel 1. He described Daniel’s faithfulness under pressure during his studies in Babylon and how God gave them knowledge and everything they needed. “When God gives, He gives,” said Stele.
Stele compared Daniel and his friends, whose names were changed but who survived on a diet of faith, with Jehoakim, who was renamed by Pharaoh to remember Jehovah.
"Daniel was grounded in the Bible, focused on the mission, and proclaimed in a loud voice. . . You see how beneficial the diet of faith is?” Stele asked.
The evening closed with “The Mission Song” and a prayer by Crystal Ward, associate ministerial secretary.
Richard McEdward, General Conference secretary; Erton Köhler, GC president; and Paul Douglas, GC treasurer, welcoming participants the evening business session on Wednesday, October 7,
Photo: Tor Tjeransen
Artur A. Stele, general vice president of the General Conference, presenting agenda item Devotional Message at the evening business session on Wednesday, October 7.
Photo: Tor Tjeransen
Luis Alanso Aguillon, secretary for the El Salvador Union Mission in the Inter-American Division.
Photo: Tor Tjeransen
