Nearly 300 global leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are gathered in Silver Spring, Maryland, to begin the 2006 Annual Council of the church’s Executive Committee.

This year’s six-day event will hear presentations on the progress of the Tell the World vision and its impact on the mission of the church, as well as receive reports from the world church’s secretary, Pastor Matthew A. Bediako, and its treasurer, Pastor Robert E. Lemon. World church President Pastor Jan Paulsen will present the Sabbath, Oct. 7, sermon and other remarks during the session.

Presentations from the Office of Adventist Mission will report on world-wide mission activities of church members, and increase in offerings for mission activities the church is experiencing which comes at a time as doors of evangelistic outreach opportunities are experienced in different parts of the world.

Anticipated actions include the election of a new editor for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines, as well as several other church officials at the world headquarters. “His Hands,” an initiative whose goal is to empower every Adventist congregation to both send and receive missionaries, will be launched by the Secretariat department of the world headquarters. A document entitled “Guidelines For Seventh-day Adventist Web Sites” will also be presented, as well as a report on the work of the Commission on Ministries, Services and Structures will inform the participants on its progress.

Adventist News Network will have daily coverage of all Annual Council events and links to photos, audio and video from selected sessions.