The second full day of the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session in St. Louis, Missouri, highlighted the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s continued focus on mission strategy, intergenerational discipleship, and inclusive participation through live language interpretation.
‘I Will Go’ Strategic Plan Unites Global Church in Mission
In the afternoon of July 5, leaders gathered to reignite momentum around the “I Will Go” strategic plan, which will guide the Adventist Church’s mission efforts from 2025 to 2030. Hosted by Vanesa Pizzuto, the interactive session featured video presentations, interviews, and stories of practical mission engagement.
Why it matters: The plan calls every church member to participate in mission in a personal, meaningful way. It emphasizes measurable outcomes and global collaboration.
Driving the news: Mike Ryan, GC general field secretary for global mission, explained the heart behind the initiative.
“We live in a world that is changing rapidly,” Ryan said. “As trends and patterns change, we find at the core there is a tremendous need for mission.”
To experience: A sculpture was presented on stage that reads “Will Go,” with space for an individual to stand as the missing “I,” symbolizing their personal involvement in mission and disciple-making.
Additionally: James Howard, GC Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director, introduced a disciple-making plan rooted in Total Member Involvement (TMI), encouraging churches to be “training schools for Christian workers.”
Go Deeper: Watch the full presentation here.
Translators Bridge Language Gaps for Over 2,000 Delegates
The diversity of the Adventist Church was evident through the work of 60 interpreters translating the GC Session proceedings into eight major languages: Chinese, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
Why it matters: Language interpretation provides an accessible experience to all attendees and ensures that all delegates, regardless of region or language, can fully engage in the global decision-making process.
“Interpretation isn’t just about translating words; it’s about building bridges,” said Roger Steves, translation coordinator for this year’s GC Session. “Our work makes it possible for the global church family to function as one.”
Children Explore New Sabbath School Curriculum
Sabbath School took center stage in the morning as children experienced the new Alive in Jesus curriculum through songs, hands-on activities, and interactive Bible stories.
The first phase of Alive in Jesus launched in early 2025, and additional materials for all age levels are rolling out in stages.
Why it matters: Designed for ages 0–18, the curriculum nurtures faith development at every stage of childhood and youth.
“Whether a small child or a teenager, [Jesus] invites them to come to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him, and to be part of His mission to reach the world,” said curriculum manager Nina Atcheson.
Of note: The curriculum is global in design, beautifully illustrated, and aligned with Adventist beliefs. It is created for home, school, and church environments and is intentionally focused on creating young disciples for Jesus.
Go deeper: Read the full story for more on the curriculum resources.
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.
