On Monday afternoon, July 7, 2025, delegates at the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session voted in favor of the nomination of G. Alexander Bryant as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America.

Bryant began his presidency in July 2020, when the GC executive committee elected him to replace the late Daniel R. Jackson, who retired on July 1, 2020. Bryant was elected by the General Conference in session in 2022. 

Following his election, Bryant shared a few remarks.

“I’m very humbled at the opportunity to serve the church here in the North American Division and [by] the confidence that the people, the nominating committee, my [NAD] caucus, and this entire body have placed in me," he said. “In the [NAD], our theme has been Together in Mission, and I believe the Lord wants us to double down on that,” he continued. “We look forward to every entity in our North American Division territory . . . working together to help finish the work so we can go home and see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Globally, the following presidents were also voted for the 2025-2030 term: 

Blasious M. Ruguri (East-Central Africa Division), Mikhail F. Kaminsky (Euro-Asia Division), Abner De Los Santos (Inter-American Division), Barna Magyarosi (Inter-European Division), Soon Gi Kang (Northern-Asia Pacific Division), Stanley E. Arco (South American Division), Glenn C. Townend (South Pacific Division), Harrington Akombwa (Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division), John Victor Chinta (Southern Asia Division), Roger O. Caderma (Southern Asia-Pacific Division), Daniel Duda (Trans-European Division), and Bassey Udoh (West-Central Africa Division). Magdiel Perez Schultz, secretary of the nominating committee and assistant to the General Conference president, presented the names and final vote. 

The world church presidents received an overwhelmingly positive vote, with 1,720 yes votes and 113 no.

John Wesley Taylor V, GC nominating committee chair and president of Andrews University, spoke to the voting process for electing division presidents.

"Earlier today, the various appointed division offices met and recommended a name in each case to the nominating committee. The nominating committee also considered these names because these individuals not only are division presidents but they are also vice presidents of the General Conference. And so the nominating committee has provided the recommended names to this body for each of the 13 world divisions." 

Ella Simmons, retired GC vice president, offered a prayer of thanksgiving following the vote.

“Almighty God, Your presence has been felt throughout this day, in every event, every discussion, every decision,” she said. She uplifted the elected leaders, concluding, “Let them be true to the calling upon their lives. Give them an unusual abundance of discernment and wisdom. Let them hear Your voice, and give them whatever it takes to follow." 

"Committed to Serve"

G. Alexander (“Alex”) Bryant has served as North American Division (NAD) president and world church vice president since 2020. From 2008 to 2020, he served as executive secretary of the NAD and associate secretary of the General Conference, after being elected to those positions at the GC Annual Council in Manila, Philippines.

Before his tenure at the NAD, he held several leadership positions in the Central States Conference. In 1990, the conference voted him in as temperance director, youth/Pathfinders/National Service Organization director, and superintendent of education. In 1997, he was elected president. 

Bryant graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and business administration from Oakwood College in 1981. He began his ministry shortly after in Springfield, Missouri, as well as Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas. In 1986, he was ordained to the gospel ministry and in 1988 earned his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University. He continued his education at Fuller Theological Seminary, earning a Doctor of Ministry degree in December 2011.

Bryant is married to his college sweetheart, the former Desiree Wimbish, current associate director and ministerial spouses’ coordinator for the Ministerial Association in the NAD. The Bryants have two living adult children and cherish the memory of their third. They also have three grandchildren. 

He is the second African American elected to lead the North American Division. Charles E. Bradford, the division’s first president, was also African American. Previous division presidents include Alfred C. McClure, Don C. Schneider, and Daniel R. Jackson.

On July 7, Bryant issued a challenge for the next five years: "We’re going to pray even more fervently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — and let’s see what God does to explode the work of the North American Division so we can reach every man, woman, boy, and girl, in every city and every town.”

He later expanded on that vision, asserting, “My heart’s desire for the North American Division is for God to pour His Spirit out with double portion power. I want what the disciples had to be ours — but more. My prayer is the unity that bound them together will bind us together. May our lives be transformed, and as a result our churches, and as a result, our communities! This is my sincere prayer."

The original article was published on the North American Division news site. For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.