Within the diversity of the church, there is broad representation in languages, ethnicity, thought, professions, and experiences that make up a multicultural, united, global church with global community participation.

The 2,809 delegates from around the world who participate with the right to speak and vote in this 62nd General Conference session speak not only for themselves but also the more than 23 million members spread across the world whom they represent. Of this total, some are lay delegates who experience the GC Session differently than the church's “missionaries,” and often find a deeper connection with their church by participating in the governing process, which empowers non-administrative members.

Furthermore, the lay delegates represent the most important level of the Seventh-day Adventist Church structure, which is the local church. Their participation is fundamental both in the general voting process and in the Nominating Committee at all levels of the church, and especially in the General Conference committee.

Gabriel Cesano, recently elected vice president of the South American Division (SAD) and previous president of the South American Spanish Publishing House (ACES), the publisher for Hispanic countries in South America, and who participated in this year’s GC Nominating Committee, mentioned four main ways that delegates contribute to the Nominating Committee.

“First, they express the vision of their local church,” representing those they represent in their specific territory. “Second, they contribute the perspective of their region with its particularities,” which provides insight into local realities around the world. “Third, most are members with many years of experience in the church, which enriches the committee’s dialogue.” And finally, “their external perspective enhances the analysis, as it is free of internal ties to the organization or personal interests,” Cesano explained.

Thus, the participation of lay delegates validates the representative nature and communal governance of the church. Furthermore, many lay delegates experience personal transformation through this participation, returning home as leaders of their stronger local congregations, with a global perspective and a renewed commitment to mission.

Delegates: Inspiration for Service and Mission

Walking through the halls, we spoke with some lay delegates; some are teachers, doctors, lawyers, farmers, and other professions, contributing their perspectives from their local church in their role as delegates.

This is the case of Gizelle Lou Caabahug Fugoso, 43, a lawyer in the Philippines, married to Raymund Fugoso and a mother of three children. For her, attending this Congress has a profound meaning. This is her second time participating, and she thanked the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, the administrative headquarters of the church to which she belongs, for the valuable opportunity to witness and participate in global governance.

What inspires Fugoso most is seeing how the church champions transparency in the election of leaders, the establishment of direction, and voting on constitutional changes. She is also inspired by how, despite cultural and geographical differences, there is unity through a shared commitment: “To seek Jesus every day, share his love, and proclaim the message of salvation to the world,” Caabahug said.

As she listened to reports from the various departments, Fugoso perceived how God’s work is moving rapidly and that His coming is very near, calling for “constantly seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, both individually and as a church.” She also highlighted that in the Philippines, there is a group of lawyers who are actively involved in evangelism and serve as advocates for religious freedom.

From the Courts to the General Conference Session

Teddy Chibuike Livingstone Eruba, 61, traveled more than 42 hours from Nigeria. He serves as a High Court judge in the city of Aba, eastern Nigeria, and also participated as a delegate at the 2010 GC Session in Atlanta. Teddy is married to June Eruba, and they have five children. 

He is involved in his local Adventist church, Umuokahia Aba, in the Eastern Nigeria Conference, as an elder and director of Religious Liberty and Family Ministries. For him, the representation of his local area is important. 

He emphasizes: “We come to carefully monitor the process to ensure that unsanctified matters are incorporated into our policy system to guide the church, and also to make decisions and approve policies that enhance the church's primary objective, which is the salvation of souls.” 

Thus, when the GC Session is held, "every responsible member of the church is interested in ensuring that appropriate policies are implemented to assist in the spiritual development of individuals. This is especially true given the fact that we are living in the final moments of history, and every member of the church must be mission-oriented to ensure that the gospel is ultimately proclaimed throughout the world," Eruba emphasized.

Living This Experience for the First Time

Marvin Corrales, 63, comes from Costa Rica in Central America. He is a farmer by profession, a job he says he does with great pride. He is married to Ilse Mayela (60 years old), they have been married for 42 years, and they have four children. Marvin expressed his joy at participating in the GC Session for the first time. He traveled more than six hours to get to this great event and said: “I am amazed to see how the gospel is spreading throughout the world. It has been impactful for me, and I want to take this back to my local church to tell them that the three angels’ messages continue to spread throughout the world, stronger than ever.”

Corrales emphasized that he has belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 50 years and was introduced to the gospel by a “boss” who works with him. Corrales was from another denomination and studied the Word of God in depth and decided the truths were undeniable, leading him to make his decision for Jesus through baptism.

Likewise, Erwin Aguilar (55 years old), an engineer, married for 34 years to Ximena Villena and with whom he has two children, said he is happy to participate in this experience for the first time.

“I am very grateful to God,” Aguilar said. He has been able to verify that “we have an organized and orderly church. God delights in order because He is a God of order.” 

And he emphasized that it is “a privilege to participate in the Lord’s business, and … we can trust that God is directing His church and we will soon see Revelation 18:1 fulfilled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and soon see our Lord coming in the clouds of heaven.”

An Adventist Laywoman in Action: From Trinidad and Tobago to the GC Session

Natascha Brown Alleyne, a lawyer in Trinidad and Tobago, traveled more than 15 hours to St. Louis, Missouri, to participate for the first time in a GC Session.

She believes this meeting is important because it provides a global perspective of the church: "You come to understand what happens behind the scenes, because what we see is usually the end result." Alleyne states that she had never seen the process before and "this has truly been a revelation for me, being part of the process of change."

It is worth noting that Alleyne is a leader in her local church, an elder, participates in Women's Ministry and Family Ministry, and also hosts the adult Sabbath School and ASi (Laymen’s Services and Industries).

As a leader, she and her husband, Roger, director of Family Ministry in their church, support each other by holding evangelism campaigns, where her husband is the speaker. While as a family they have their regular jobs, they also participate in preaching weeks to reach more people with the gospel.

Magdiel Pérez, assistant to the GC president at the time of this interview, who has twice served as secretary of the Nominating Committee of the GC Session, commented on the importance of lay delegates on the committee.

"Their participation helps us in the administration of the church. Having lay brothers and sisters on the Nominating Committee, where they can give their opinions, express their concerns, and express what is being done at the local level of the church, provides helpful feedback," grounding the church's plans for preaching the gospel in local reality. 

Furthermore, he emphasized, “when the delegate sees how the administration of the church, the elections in the church, are carried out, they can see that it is a transparent process. They can see that it is a process in which proposals are made, names are discussed, responsibilities are discussed, and what is best for the world church, which can serve the world church, is sought.”

This process of the Nominating Committee of the GC Session is a “replica” of what happens in the local church. There aren't many differences, Pérez said. 

“The responsibilities are different, the number of people elected is much greater, but what I can point out is that the church member, the member of the local church, when they return to their church, when they return to the place where they work, whether as a businessman or as a homemaker, they return with the feeling that we are a world church and that we do things the same way in different places,” he said.

“Jesus Is Coming Soon, I Will Go!”

The lay delegates shared the importance of being at this GC Session and their impressions to share with the local church

Aguilar mentioned that his participation is important “to gain a broader view of the vision of the global church. We are part of a global congregation and can bring this vision to our local churches. The message is clear: Total Member Involvement (TMI), and to say with authority: ‘Send me, I Will Go,’ ” Aguilar emphasized.

Regardless of the profession or vocation of each member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, “each of us has a role to play in advancing God’s mission. Our careers are not separate from our faith. They are platforms through which we can serve with purpose and conviction,” said Caabahug from the Philippines.

From everything experienced at this GC Session, she emphasized that we all “have a role to play.” No matter how small, it all adds up. 

“And if we really want Jesus to come, we really have to get involved,” Alleyne emphasized. She called on all members to participate in local church activities, to the extent possible. “If you’ve never been to a General Conference Session, then try to come to one, even as a visitor, to see what happens here.”

“Being part of this historic gathering has reaffirmed to me that my profession is a means to serve the church with humility and dedication.” And so, I answer the call: ‘I Will Go,’ ” Caabahug concluded.

In this way, the Seventh-day Adventist Church continues its commitment to the involvement of every member, highlighting the representativeness of the church, especially the local one, engaging everyone in the mission, regardless of language, ethnicity, culture, or profession, all united in purpose for the proclamation of the message and the soon return of Jesus Christ.

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.