07/16/2025
The End of a Presidency: Reflections on the 62nd General Conference Session
In the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, the reign of each leader was often summarized with a moral verdict that typically read, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” or “He did evil in the sight of God.” This article is not intended to be a full evaluation of Elder Ted Wilson’s presidency, but rather a brief summary of how he exited from leadership and the circumstances surrounding that transition.
There were indeed some notable and encouraging developments during the 62nd General Conference Session. Positive steps were taken, and meaningful changes were made—signs that cannot be ignored. While not everything was perfect, there is reason to view these shifts as hopeful. Let us pray and sincerely hope that these changes will last, that further progress will be made, and that the Lord’s will is faithfully carried out in each of our lives. May we remain committed to following His guidance and standing for truth.
No Ecumenical Worship or Interfaith Lunch
The 62nd General Conference Session in 2025 marked a major departure from the previous session by not including any ecumenical luncheons or interfaith gatherings with leaders from other denominations. This stood in sharp contrast to the 61st Session, where Elder Ted Wilson and Ganoune Diop had hosted an interfaith event and promoted the book Let Mutual Love Continue, a publication that honored Rome’s call to ecumenism and echoed sentiments calling for the end of the Protestant Reformation and the reunification of all churches under one global religious body. [1] But in a dramatic and welcome shift, the 2025 session featured no interfaith worship or symbolic gestures aimed at healing historic divides between Adventism and other faiths. This absence is significant, and we are praying that this will represent a conscious and intentional effort at resisting papal ecumenical influence and reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s historic prophetic identity. For many that I had the chance to speak with, it is a hopeful sign that our brothers and sisters will begin to reclaim our unique distinctiveness and prophetic identity, especially at the most significant and global gathering of Seventh-day Adventists.
No Vatican Flag Displayed
One notable and highly symbolic change at the 2025 General Conference Session was the absence of the Vatican flag in the Parade of Nations ceremony. In previous sessions, dating back to 1995, the inclusion of the Vatican flag—representing the Holy See—raised deep concern among many faithful Adventists who viewed the act as a troubling sign of solidarity with Rome. [2] While the official intent may have been to include all recognized states in the ceremony, the display of the Vatican flag carried theological implications that clashed with the Adventist Church’s historic prophetic message identifying the papacy as the beast power of Revelation. Such actions risk being misinterpreted as a softening or even abandonment of that prophetic stance. The good news is that in 2025, for the first time in decades, the Vatican flag was not included in the procession. Let us pray that this powerful gesture will be the beginning of an effort to realign ourselves with our historic identity and mission—one that stands apart from the ecumenical spirit of compromise and reaffirms its prophetic voice in a confused and compromising world.
Presentation of the Beast as the Papacy
At the 62nd General Conference Session, a bold and unapologetic presentation reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s message took center stage—complete with powerful visuals depicting the beast, the image, and the mark, as outlined in Revelation. Shockingly for some and affirming for many, the presentation included images of popes alongside the symbolic number 666, directly connecting the interpretation of Bible prophecy to the long-standing Adventist identification of Rome as the Antichrist power. [3] To see such a clear and direct message proclaimed at the highest global gathering of the church—and broadcast to the world through official Adventist media—was nothing short of eye-opening. This was no ecumenical message. Say what you will about the Jesuit infiltration, but one thing is certain: the Jesuits didn’t organize this presentation. They never would. The message stood in direct contradiction to Rome’s agenda, serving instead as a powerful reminder that the Adventist Church, though often tempted to compromise, still has voices willing to lift up the trumpet and proclaim the truth entrusted to it.
Elder Ted Wilson’s Unprecedented Exit
During his presidency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Elder Ted Wilson took a firm stance against those seeking religious liberty exemptions related to the COVID-19 mandates. Despite widespread concern among church members about conscience and personal conviction, Wilson not only shut down meaningful discussion on this issue at two consecutive General Conference Sessions but also used his platform to deliver lengthy speeches framing dissenters as purveyors of conspiracy theories and misinformation. [4] This approach discouraged open dialogue and marginalized members who appealed to the church’s long-standing support of religious freedom, leaving many to feel abandoned by their leadership during a time of moral and spiritual crisis.
A major scandal erupted during the final days of Elder Ted Wilson’s presidency that would cast a long shadow over his legacy. While delivering a forceful speech from the floor, Wilson harshly rebuked delegates who sought to revisit the church’s position on COVID-19 and vaccines, accusing them of spreading misinformation and citing the official 2015 General Conference statement on immunization as evidence. However, observant delegates quickly realized that the version Wilson read from differed significantly from the one that had been publicly posted on the church’s website for over a decade. In an astonishing twist, the online statement was quietly updated that very night to match Wilson’s version.
The next day, facing mounting scrutiny, Wilson returned to the stage to issue a public apology before the full body of delegates and a global livestream audience, claiming the discrepancy was due to a clerical error. In other words, the same document that had shaped the church’s COVID stance, survived a global pandemic, and influenced three General Conference Sessions, was not even the right version—leading Wilson to wrongly accuse others of dishonesty when, in fact, the official document published by ADCOM was in error. The fallout was swift. Just two days after the apology, Wilson’s presidency came to an unceremonious end, marking a dramatic close to his long tenure as the leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Elder Ted Wilson entered the 2025 General Conference Session fully expecting to be re-elected, according to individuals close to him. They expressed to me that he was confident and prepared for another term. However, the nominating committee, after much prayerful deliberation, sensed that it was time to turn a new page and chart a new course for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This led to the nomination of Elder Erton Köhler. Despite Wilson’s longstanding influence, the nominating committee ultimately voted for change, signaling a desire for renewed direction in the church. Under the new presidency of Erton Köhler, the church has moved away from the previous stonewalling and lack of communication, and will soon begin a process to actively engage members and listen to their concerns—particularly regarding church policies that negatively affected them during the pandemic. We thank God for this shift in attitude and for leadership that is showing a willingness to listen and respond.
Ganoune Diop Gone
Ganoune Diop, the longtime Director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, also fully expected to continue in his role under the new administration. I had the opportunity to speak with him personally and conduct an interview to clarify some of his past public statements. I asked him about his health and if he was willing to continue serving the church if asked to serve another term. He assured me that he was. I asked him specifically about a comment he had previously made, stating that he does not preach the Three Angels’ Messages, only Jesus. Wanting to give him a fair opportunity to clarify or reframe his words, I invited him to explain what he meant. [5]
Rather than acknowledging that his phrasing may have been misunderstood or poorly chosen, Diop flatly denied ever making such a statement, insisting that any claim to the contrary was “nonsense.” However, we presented his denial alongside actual footage of him making that very remark. The response was immediate. The video spread rapidly online, sparking widespread concern among Adventists. Andrew Henriques of Saved to Serve released a scathing analysis that gained significant traction. Just four days later, the General Conference nominating committee announced that it was recommending a new director and that Diop was out.
It was time for a new direction, and the nominating committee concluded that the church needed to move forward without the lingering controversies and baggage associated with the outgoing administration. The decision marked a clear break from the era of Ted Wilson and his closest associates. During the closing ceremonies when awards and recognition were given to leaders for their long service to the church, Ganoune Diop was not included in that ceremony. He wasn’t given the flowers or the recognition for his service or any of the fanfare associated with retirement.
The Expanding Role of External Media
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have participated—not just as an observer—at the 62nd General Conference Session, but as an official member of the external media team. “External media” refers to media and news ministries that are not owned or operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference has taken a more inclusive and expansive approach to media engagement, inviting individuals like myself and Pastor James Desvallons, from Advent Media Connect, to apply for access. That in itself is a significant and positive shift.
As members of the external media, we have a role to fulfill: to report, to ask questions, and to engage. I’m 100% certain that when the General Conference extended the invitation for me to apply, they knew I wasn’t going to be asking questions like, “What’s your favorite animal?” or “What color do you like best?” I asked the questions that many members care deeply about—topics such as papal encyclicals, United Nations agendas, Conrad Vine, Ron Kelly, COVID vaccines, Christian nationalism, Sunday laws, and about remaining true to our message. These are serious, meaningful questions, and they deserve attention.
What’s most important is that conversations are happening. Leaders are listening—and they are also speaking. We listen, too. This is an opportunity not just to meet and engage with one another, but to pray together and for each other. That’s what we’re called to do. It also means raising the issues that aren’t being widely discussed, providing space for voices that have often gone unheard. That’s a good sign—it shows there’s room for dialogue, not just monologue. It’s a forum for engagement and growth, something that has too often been lacking within our own ranks.
Accountability is not just for leadership; it’s for all of us, including external media. We must hold ourselves to a higher standard—God’s law—by being truthful, redemptive, and fair in our reporting. I’m not talking about censorship or cancel culture. I’m talking about using the power of media to save, to build up, to restore, to affirm, to encourage—and, when necessary, to admonish in love.
The Future
What does all of this mean, and how will it impact the future? I can’t predict the future—and I don’t need to, because God already has. Scripture makes it clear that a shaking is coming, and in many ways, it has already begun. We still face serious challenges, and we are not yet fully where God wants us to be. But I’ve seen evidence that, yes, we can honor God in our decisions. We can make changes that lead to greater faithfulness and benefit the entire body. Most importantly, we can—and must—ask the Lord to reveal His will to us, as outlined in His Word, and then have the grace to follow it. Ultimately, prophecy will be fulfilled, and God will have a purified, distinct Remnant people upon whom He will pour out the power of the Latter Rain. Let us remain hopeful and attentive to the voice of God, trusting in His desire to lead, correct, and prepare us for the final work.
Sources
[1] https://adventmessenger.org/let-mutual-love-continue-ted-wilson-at-the-ecumenical-luncheon-during-the-61st-general-conference-session-in-st-louis/
[2] https://adventmessenger.org/the-vatican-flag-was-flown-at-the-61st-general-conference-session-in-st-luis-mo/
[3] https://adventmessenger.org/the-62nd-gc-session-exposed-the-beast-of-bible-prophecy/
[4] https://adventmessenger.org/ted-wilson-hijacks-the-debate-again-silencing-motions-to-address-the-churchs-covid-era-compromise/
[5] https://adventmessenger.org/ganoune-diop-i-never-said-i-dont-preach-the-three-angels-message-that-would-be-nonsense/
