Pastor Matthew Bediako, who began his ministerial career in his native Ghana, has been re-elected as secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, following a unanimous vote of delegates to the movement’s 58th General Conference Session. Pastor Robert Lemon, world church treasurer since 2002, was also re-elected to a full term in that office.

The elections complete the top tier of Seventh-day Adventist Church world leadership. Pastor Jan Paulsen was re-elected as president earlier in the afternoon of July 1.

“I want to express my appreciation for the choices you have made,” said Pastor Paulsen in remarks to delegates following the vote. “Pastor Bediako has served with distinction for the past five years, and will continue to do so.”

Responding, Bediako said he wanted “to thank God for His leading during the past five years.”

He added, “I appreciate your prayers; I receive e-mails every day from around the world, saying they are praying for us. Please keep praying for us.”

Of Lemon, Paulsen said he “has the heart of a minister” and is “one of the finest financial professionals that we have.

Lemon told Paulsen and the delegates, “It’s a humbling experience to be asked to be part of your great team of leadership around the world.”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has 25 million weekly worshippers in more than 200 nations around the world, of which 14.3 million are baptized adult members. The church receives U.S. $5 million in donations every day, which is managed by a network of financial professionals led by the church’s Treasury department.