On Sunday, July 6, the Nominating Committee recommended names for the election of seven General Conference (GC) vice presidents. The names were voted on and passed by delegates, 1,798 to 92.
Chairman of the Nominating Committee John Wesley Taylor V said, “The Nominating Committee decided that as [the general vice presidents] function as a team, together—the Nominating Committee would like to recommend these names to you as a team.” Once the vote had been passed, chair for the afternoon session and outgoing vice president Geoffrey Mbwana said, “Congratulations. At one time I sat where they sat, so I’m so happy. God bless you.”
Audrey Andersson remains in her role as a general vice president, a position she has held since the 2022 GC Session. Prior to her election she was the executive secretary of the Trans-European Division (TED). Andersson holds a master’s degree in pastoral ministry and, during her tenure, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a distinctly Adventist identity while embracing a balanced, culturally relevant approach to mission work. She is the second female general vice president and the first European woman.
Leonard A. Johnson comes into his role as general vice president for the GC from the position of executive secretary of the church in the Inter-American Division (IAD), a position he has held since 2018. Johnson has more than 40 years of denominational service in the IAD territory, and has served as pastor, conference department director, conference executive secretary, conference president, and union president, a role he held concurrently with associate ministerial director for the IAD.
The Nominating Committee decided that as [the general vice presidents] function as a team, together—that the Nominating Committee would like to recommend these names to you as a team.”
Thomas L. Lemon will continue in his role as general vice president for the GC, a position he has held since 2015. Prior to his election as vice president, Lemon served as president of the Mid-America Union Conference (2009-2015). He has served as a member of boards of directors for several higher education and health-care institutions, as well as media and outreach ministries.
Pierre E. Omeler (incumbent since 2024). Before serving at the GC, Omeler had been Atlantic Union Conference president from November 2021. He had been secretary of that union prior to that. Omeler, born in Haiti, moved to the United States in 1981 to pursue his education at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. Omeler went on to pursue a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University (1991) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary (2015).
Robert Osei-Bonsu was West-Central Africa Division president. Originally from Ghana, he has served as an academic at institutions, including Valley View University, Adventist University of Africa (Kenya), and Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (Philippines), writing and coauthoring 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, seven book chapters, and 34 academic conference presentations. He also served as a pastor in Ghana and the South England Conference (UK). His career in ministry started as a literature evangelist in Ghana and Sweden.
Saw Samuel was elected as associate secretary of the General Conference in June 2022. Originally from Myanmar, Saw was president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division when he baptized his own father. He had previously served as secretary of that division, where he had a passion to work with the unreached Chinese, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and secular urban people. Samuel has worked in administration and pastoral ministry in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. He studied at Spicer Memorial College and the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (Philippines).
Artur Stele has been reelected as a general vice president, a role he has held since the 2010 General Conference Session. A native of Kazakhstan, Stele earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Friedensau University in Germany, and a master’s degree and doctorate in theology from Andrews University. During his tenure Stele has emphasized the authority of Scripture and biblical leadership, conducted Bible and mission conferences worldwide, and established the GC Leadership Development program.
Adventist Review staff