Since the mid-19th century, the Adventist Review has been the published voice of each General Conference (GC) Session. What began as a bulletin produced using traditional methods has transformed into a streamlined, accurate, and essential editorial operation for keeping the global church informed. 

At GC Session 2025, the team faces the challenge of delivering a 48-page printed bulletin before 7:00 a.m. each day.

The team’s workday begins before dawn and ends when all content is designed, edited, and loaded for printing in the evening. A local printer, contracted for this Session, takes over and works through the night to ensure the bulletins are ready first thing the next day.

An Evolving Tradition

In the early decades of the 20th century, the magazine's editors dictated their articles over the telephone. The issues were then flown to the Session location. Years later, the off-site printing model was adopted, which involved sending digital files to off-site printers. In 2022, a hybrid model was implemented for the first time, combining digital distribution with printed delivery.

In 2025, the entire process takes place on-site: editing, design, closing, and printing. 

“We have two closings a day, at noon and 6 p.m. Each bulletin is divided into blocks of pages that must be ready at those times to be sent to print,” Merle Poirier, operations manager for Adventist Review, explained. “The pressure is constant.”

Poirier has a wealth of experience, as this is her fifth general session. 

“We are in a windowless room, following everything from a screen. We don't experience the Session like the rest, but there is a Christian spirit and collaboration that make it special.”

Editorial Clock

The editorial day begins around 6 a.m. and continues until the day's newsletter is complete. Each story must be ready for layout by around 2 p.m., which requires a rapid workflow: editing, review, design, proofreading, and final upload.

"It's what we would normally do in a month, concentrated in a single day," Sikhu Daco, the magazine's associate editor, said. "Everything moves very quickly: thinking fast, editing fast, reviewing fast."

Added to this is the inevitable ingredient of unpredictability. Decisions by the Session Nominating Committee or actions voted on by the plenary session can change the content of the newsletter in a matter of minutes. 

"You have to plan for the unexpected. That's the most challenging ... and also the most exciting," Daco added.

Leadership and Editorial Purpose

For Justin Kim, editor-in-chief of Adventist Review, leading the daily production of the newsletter means taking responsibility for a legacy that has endured for more than 175 years. 

“It is a privilege to be at the forefront of a tradition that has served the church for so long. Although we use new techniques and platforms, we continue to fulfill the same mission: communicating with Adventists around the world.”

Kim’s editorial vision is not limited to the present. He recognizes the historical value of each issue: “The daily newsletter is the official record of what actually happens during the session: the business, the decisions, but also the experience of the members. It is a source that, five, ten, or fifteen years from now, will be useful to those who research or study this moment in the history of the church.”

For Enno Müller, communications director and news editor, covering the Session each day involves three fundamental objectives: “First, to report on what is really happening, both for those here and for those following at home. Second, to create a historical record that will be officially archived in the church records. And third, to showcase the beauty of our global church, involving those who cannot be present so they too feel part of this event.”

Müller emphasizes that this work not only reports facts but also connects with the broader purpose of Adventist communication: “It is about telling stories that inspire. We want to help people grow spiritually, feel part of a community, and discover ideas they can apply in their own local contexts.”

This close and focused leadership allows the team to fulfill its mission, even without being present in the plenary hall. “There is camaraderie, mutual support, and a sense of purpose that underpins it all,” Poirier says.

Between Paper and Screens

In addition to the printed newsletter, the Adventist Review team publishes exclusive content online and maintains an active presence on social media. 

"Today, there's more content online than in print. This is where people are and where they receive information instantly," Jonathan Walter, head of digital content, said.

Speed ​​is never more important than accuracy. "Everything we publish goes through a verification process. Even if information arrives before it's official, we expect it to go through due process," Walter said. "Our commitment is to accuracy, because we are the historical record of the session. In the end, what matters is telling it well."

For Poirier, the purpose goes beyond the editorial deadline. “It's not just about delivering. It's about building a legacy: leaving a living memory, giving voice to the church on the move, and strengthening the connection between its members around the world.”

Every morning, thousands of delegates receive a printed bulletin that not only informs but also connects generations. The cover, articles, photos, and graphic details are the fruit of long hours of focused work, shared prayer, and a sense of mission. 

“Missing a deadline isn't fun,” Poirier admitted. “But every day is a new opportunity. Like in the story of Nehemiah, we all collaborate, pray, and move forward. God makes possible what humanly seems impossible.”

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.