Inter-America Gears Up for Major Presence at 62nd General Conference Session
Pastor Adán Ramos, president of the Honduras Union, and his wife take part in the Inter-American Division’s report, proudly holding the national flag and wearing traditional Honduran attire during the 2022 General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri. [File Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
June 25, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist delegates from the Inter-American Division (IAD) are preparing to travel to St. Louis, Missouri, United States, next week to participate in the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session.
The global gathering will bring together more than 2,000 delegates from around the world to vote on key decisions that will shape the future of the church over the next five years.
A delegate from Dominican Union listens during business meetings held at the 61st General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2022. [IAD Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
With 453 delegates—primarily from its 25 unions or major church regions—the IAD will be the largest delegation at this year’s session, said Pastor Leonard Johnson, executive secretary of the IAD. In addition to the official delegates, more than 130 special guests and staff will join the group, bringing the IAD’s total representation to over 600.
The IAD currently has more than 3.7 million members, making it the third largest among the 13 world divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its large membership and the number of unions—each comprising multiple local fields—contribute to its delegate quota, explained Pastor Leonard Johnson.
The 25 unions across the IAD territory are made up of 157 conferences and missions, in addition to division-level leaders and administrators of educational and healthcare institutions, all of whom will be well represented at the session, he added.
Pastor Leonard Johnson, executive secretary of the IAD, says there’s great excitement across the territory as delegates prepare to fully participate in the upcoming General Conference Session. [Photo: IAD Screenshot]
“Delegates include union presidents and lay representatives who are members of the General Conference Executive Committee, as well as conference and mission administrators, representatives from the division office and institutions, pastors, teachers, non-administrative leaders, and youth and lay delegates,” said Johnson.
“You can imagine there is much excitement as session approaches, because this is going to be the first GC Session since 2015 where we will have a full delegation present—a full house,” said Johnson. “It’s nothing like what we had in 2022, with a reduced number because of the pandemic situation at the time, when it was not favorable for many people to travel.”
“This one,” he said, “carries an expressed interest not only on the part of delegates but also from members who want to attend, wanting to be part of the excitement. We anticipate that it’s going to be a wonderful experience—not only for the business of the church, but because each night you have world church reports, which give you a sort of snapshot of what is happening around the world in terms of advancing the mission.”
GC Session is also a time when members showcase their cultural attire and connect with others from around the world, said Johnson. “It’s not just a business meeting—it’s a time for fellowship and for forming friendships. There’s a great sense of belonging,” he added. “We are part of a large family, scattered throughout the world. We will enjoy inspiring preaching, devotionals, and music that uplift us all.”
Pastor Guenther Garcia, president of the Guatemala Union, smiles during an IAD Caucus session in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2022. [File Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
For the IAD specifically, the committee will propose names for the division’s top leadership positions: president, executive secretary, and treasurer, who will serve through the next term ending in 2030.
“This is the time when delegates have the opportunity to evaluate us—Pastor Elie Henry, Ivelisse Herrera, and myself—in light of the overall mission, the church’s operations during the past five-year period, and the effectiveness of current leadership,” said Johnson. “They will elect leaders, vote on important issues, and unite efforts to carry out the mission entrusted to the church.”
Celebrating Diversity and Mission
Inter-America’s quinquennial report will take place on July 10 at approximately 8:15 p.m. (9:15 p.m. Miami time) and will feature a colorful parade of flags from the platform, followed by a video presentation showcasing how members across the region are Living the Mission.
A delegate from Venezuela displays her national dress during the 2022 General Conference Session at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. [File Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“People in Inter-America are passionate about Jesus, and that passion is evident throughout our territory,” said Johnson. “We’re excited to highlight the uniqueness of the IAD—with our 42 countries and islands, diverse cultures, different languages, and the spirited way in which we worship and serve God with purpose and commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel.”
In addition, the Inter-American Division (IAD) will feature a large exhibit booth during the General Conference Session, taking place July 3–12, 2025. All 25 unions and several institutions from across the territory will showcase their initiatives, cultural expressions, souvenirs, and reports throughout the event.
Experiencing Inter-America’s Impact Firsthand
Abel Márquez, communication director of the IAD and general manager of the IAD Exhibit Booth, said the Division will occupy 80 exhibit spaces organized into three main areas. These include a small auditorium, a collaboration corner, a space for filming, and designated spaces for educational, publishing, and healthcare institutions to present their campuses, projects, and resources. There will also be areas dedicated to social media engagement, networking, and collaboration.
Visitors gather for a brief meeting at the small auditorium in the IAD Exhibit Booth in San Antonio, Texas, during the 2015 General Conference Session. [File Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“We’ve created enough space for each union and institution to share how they are Living the Mission in their communities,” said Márquez. “There will be short presentations and meetups to exchange ideas and launch new projects—an opportunity to engage with visitors and inspire onlookers.”
It’s a powerful moment to showcase the strong commitment of how Adventist leaders and members are fulfilling the mission, he added. “We want young people especially to get involved, brainstorm, and enjoy the experience. For us as Seventh-day Adventists, mission is not an obligation—it’s a burning passion to share the hope of Jesus and His salvation.”
The Inter-American Division will also be featured during the “Mission on the Move” segment (formerly known as the Parade of Nations) on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. Miami time).
A sign marks the Inter-American Division’s section during business meetings at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 2022 General Conference Session. [File Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Where to Stay Connected
For news and updates throughout the GC Session, visit interamerica.org
For information on IAD delegates, visit gcs.interamerica.org
To learn more about the IAD Exhibit Booth during the session, visit gcsession.interamerica.org
For full schedules and to watch the 62nd General Conference Session live, go to gcsession.org
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