Adventist Church Elects Inter-American Leader as General Vice President

Leonard Johnson leaves his post as IAD executive secretary to assume new global leadership role.

July 7, 2025 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Pastor Leonard Johnson was elected as a general vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church during the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session on July 6, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

His election came as delegates selected seven vice presidents who will help implement mission-focused priorities for the global church over the next five years.

Pastor Leonard Johnson (center) stands on stage shortly after being elected one of seven general vice presidents during the 62nd General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, on July 6, 2025.[Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]

Pastor Johnson has served as executive secretary of the Inter-American Division (IAD) since 2018. Prior to that, he was president of the Atlantic Caribbean Union, headquartered in Nassau, The Bahamas. While serving as union president, he also held the role of associate ministerial director for the IAD.

An ordained minister, Johnson holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Reformed Theological Seminary.

Born in The Bahamas, he began his ministry as a local church pastor and has since served in a variety of leadership roles, including conference department director, executive secretary, and president at both the conference and union levels.

He is married to Denise Johnson, and together they have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Pastor Leonard Johnson (second from left) stands on stage moments after he and six others were announced as general vice presidents of the General Conference. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]

Just hours after his election, Pastor Johnson joined a panel of newly elected General Conference leaders to share his vision for the future of the church.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening the connection between church leadership and local members. “Everything happens at the local church,” Johnson said. “And when we fail to understand this, we cannot accomplish all the objectives that we have in mind.”

At the center of his vision is a renewed commitment to mission. “Mission is fundamental,” he said. “But that requires the involvement of the members. And once we can recognize that these members are all important, all are gifted, our role is to help them discover what God has already entrusted to them—and provide opportunities for them to use those gifts.”