Rakhilya from Kazakhstan, a young delegate from the Euro-Asia Division, shared how her wish to simply attend the GC Session as an observer turned into something far greater. 

“When I first heard about the GC [Session], I started dreaming of just being there. But God had something more in store. Not only did He make a way, a few years later I was invited to come as a delegate. It was far beyond what I ever imagined, and perfectly timed by Him.” 

Following the first pillar, which reminds us that mission begins with communion with God, the second pillar invites us to pause and look inward. In a world of shifting labels and fragile self-worth, identity is no longer a given. Many carry a quiet longing: to be seen, to be known, and most importantly, to belong. But what if our deepest identity isn’t something we achieve, but something we receive? What if we were created not just to belong to a small family circle, but to belong to Christ, to be part of His family, known, loved, and called by name?

At the 2025 General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, the theme of identity in Christ was brought to life through key note presentations, testimonies and small groups stories, that emphasized emotional healing, spiritual confidence, and personal calling. Mike Ryan, one of the architects of the I Will Go strategy, emphasized that lasting mission starts with a grounded identity. “We live in an age where identity is under constant pressure,” he said. But Scripture reminds us: “I have been crucified with Christ...” Scripture reminds us: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20, NKJV). From this place of belonging and surrender, mission can flow naturally. 

Rediscovering Who We Are by Knowing Christ

Keldie Paroschi delivered a deeply personal and theologically rich keynote exploring the second pillar of the I Will Go strategic plan: Identity in Jesus. Her message connected personal experience, biblical narrative, and Adventist theology to answer the question: Who are we, really? The presentation opened with a story of her own identity crisis, shaped by living across multiple countries and cultures. She described how disconnection can leave anyone feeling displaced. But she reminded listeners that this confusion is not just emotional, it is spiritual. “We live in a world broken by sin, and sin breaks our connection to God, others, and even to ourselves,” Keldie said.

The heart of her message was clear: our true identity is found in Christ. From Paul’s transformation on the road to Damascus, to Jacob’s name change, to Moses and Gideon’s callings, these figures didn’t find identity in isolation, but only after encountering God. “Understanding who Christ is,” she emphasized, “is the key to understanding who we are.” She quoted Colossians 3:3–4: “Your life is hidden with Christ in God… When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” This, she explained, is the foundation of Christian identity, not based on cultural background, profession, or success, but on belonging to Jesus.

That truth was echoed again and again by those in the exhibition hall too. One visitor said, “I used to think identity was something I had to build through work, studies, or what others thought of me. But as I grew in my walk with Jesus, I realized my deepest identity isn’t achieved, it’s received. I wasn’t just created to belong to a small family, but to Christ Himself. That changed everything.”

Importantly, Keldie affirmed that finding our identity in Christ does not erase individuality. Rather, like stained-glass windows, our unique characteristics shine brightest when illuminated by Christ’s presence. And identity leads to purpose. Just as Paul’s encounter with Christ launched him into mission, every Adventist is called to exalt Jesus and share the everlasting gospel. “When we find our identity in Christ,” she concluded, “we also find our purpose in life to witness about the One who made us who we are.” 

At the heart of Adventist mission lies this unshakable truth: before we go, we must know who we are and to whom we belong. When our identity is rooted in Christ, purpose becomes clear, courage is renewed, and service is no longer a duty. It becomes joy. The I Will Go strategic plan for 2025–2030 defines this identity beautifully: 

“Affirming our identity as God’s children, we are alive in Christ, rooted and established in faith and truth, keeping the commandments of God, seeking things that are above, and bearing fruit in every good work. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Advent Movement is joined together in love, joyfully sharing the eternal gospel with the whole world, emphasizing the urgency of its end-time prophetic message of hope.”

Keldie then bridged this personal identity to Adventist identity, showing how each distinctive doctrine, from the Sabbath to the Sanctuary centers on the person and work of Jesus. “Seventh-day Adventism,” she quoted, “is basically a message about Jesus.”

This second pillar affirms that our truest self is not found in accomplishments, appearances, or cultural definitions but in Christ alone. When we know who we are and to whom we belong, we can go boldly, serve joyfully, and live purposefully.

The next article in this series will explore the third pillar of the I Will Go plan: Unity in the Spirit,  a call to live and witness as one body in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and connected through shared truth, fellowship, and mission.

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.