Delegates vote on the 45 names selected for the nominating committee hours before the 62nd General Conference Session begins in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, on July 3, 2025. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
In St. Louis, 453 delegates finalize 45-member team to help choose the next Seventh-day Adventist Church president during the 62nd General Conference Session.

July 3, 2025 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Today in St. Louis, delegates from the Inter-American Division (IAD) gathered to select 45 members for the nominating committee that will help shape church leadership during the 62nd General Conference Session this week.

These nominating committee members will represent the IAD as part of the larger body tasked with nominating the next president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and other elected leaders in the coming days.

Pastor Elie Henry, president of the Inter-American Division explains the purpose and process of selecting delegates to the nominating committee. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“We are more than 450 delegates here today—many attending their first General Conference Session,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the Inter-American Division, after dozens of delegates raised their hands when asked if this was their first time attending a GC Session. “You can understand the magnitude of this moment for our delegation and for the church.”

Out of a delegation of 453, 10 percent were chosen, as outlined by world church policy. That means 45 delegates needed to be selected, with representation from each of the IAD’s 25 unions, Pastor Henry explained.

The selection process mirrors what is typically followed during local conference and union sessions, he added. “Our delegates are mature, experienced members of the church, and we are confident we can carry this out in a respectful and timely way, following our bylaws and procedures.”

[Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“We’re going to move through this process efficiently,” he said.

According to Pastor Henry, it is standard practice among world divisions for union presidents who serve on the General Conference Executive Committee to be included as nominating committee members. He emphasized the importance of including union administrators, local field administrators, district pastors, institutional leaders, and lay delegates—comprising men, women, and youth.

The 45 names proposed by the unions and institutions will become part of the full 277-member General Conference nominating committee, which is responsible for recommending global church leaders for the next five years, explained Pastor Billy Biaggi, one of the general vice presidents of the GC and an advisor during the IAD caucus meeting.

Francisco Ramón De Dios, executive secretary of the Central Mexican Union gets ready to hand in names to be voted as members of the nominating committee. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“What a privilege the Lord gives us to serve Him and to be part of this important work,” said Biaggi. “May the Holy Spirit fill us and help us remain focused on the mission of the church.”

He reminded delegates of their responsibility in representing the Inter-American Division—one of the 13 world divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and one of the largest in terms of membership.

“This is a movement that spans the globe, calling people to hear God’s voice and move forward the mission,” he said, referencing John 10:14–16. “If we all do the work of sharing the message of the Three Angels in our regions, we will be able to finish the mission.”

Pastor Leonard Johnson (third from left), executive secretary of the IAD types the names of the 45 delegates to be voted as Pastor Billy Biaggi, vice president of the General conference, Pastor Elie Henry (right) president of the IAD, and Ivelisse Herrera (left) treasurer of the IAD look on. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
The breakdown of the IAD’s 45 nominating committee members was presented by Pastor Leonard Johnson, executive secretary of the church in Inter-America. The members include union administrators, two local field administrators, three district pastors, four laypersons (men and women), two young people, four institutional leaders, and one departmental director from the IAD office.

The full nominating committee, representing all 13 world divisions, is scheduled to meet later today to begin the process of selecting the next world church president during this year’s General Conference Session.

For updates on the 62nd General Conferences Session, visit us at interamerica.org