General Conference Approves New Unions in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Delegates at GC Session in St. Louis welcome two Inter-American territories into the sisterhood of unions.

July 4, 2025 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division

Delegates at the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, voted on July 3, to approve the addition of the Costa Rica Union Mission and the Nicaragua Union Mission into the sisterhood of unions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The approval came during the first day of business meetings at the 62nd General Conference Session.

The Costa Rica and Nicaragua Union Missions are two of the 25 major church regions that make up the Inter-American Division (IAD).

Pastor Erton Köhler, executive secretary of the General Conference, announced both territories as part of 11 new or reorganized unions created during the past five-year period, either as union conferences or union missions. Köhler welcomed these regions into the global family of unions within the world church.

Church Growth and Mission Commitment in Costa Rica

Responding to the public vote of acceptance, Pastor Ricardo Marín, president of the Costa Rica Union Mission, said the moment marks both a great privilege and a solemn responsibility. “It is very important, valuable, and a great blessing to be recognized as a union and as part of the worldwide family of the Church,” said Marín. The union currently has more than 40,000 members and 245 organized churches and 25 companies, a university and 10 primary and secondary schools.

Marín emphasized the strong commitment of church members to the mission of Christ. “Our members clearly understand the seriousness of the task we have—especially in these last days,” he said. Pastors, missionary couples, and small groups are actively involved in Bible studies and evangelistic campaigns, not only in neighborhoods but also in public spaces and church buildings, he added.

A Milestone for the Church in Nicaragua

For Nicaragua, the recognition also carries significant meaning, said Pastor Wilfredo Ruiz, president of the Nicaragua Union Mission. “It’s a blessing we’re enjoying,” said Ruiz. “Given the nature of our country and government, this recognition strengthens our ties with other nations while allowing us to operate within our own country, currency, and system.”

The Nicaragua Union includes three local fields and more than 40,000 members worshiping in 583 churches and 2,006 small groups. The union also oversees an Adventist hospital in Managua and 28 primary and secondary schools.

“As a church family, we’re thankful for this new union status,” said Ruiz. “It gives us greater freedom to move throughout Nicaragua, ministering with more peace, confidence, and stability. The membership is overjoyed—thanks be to the Lord.”

Previously, both territories were part of the South Central American Union. They were officially reorganized as separate union missions during the IAD Year-End Executive Committee meetings in November 2024.

Other new or reorganized unions approved by General Conference Session delegates include regions in Cameroon, South Sudan, the Philippines, and Ghana.