25 March 2025 | Silver Spring, USA [Alyssa Truman, Adventist News Network]
The 62nd General Conference (GC) Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will take place in St Louis, Missouri, United States, from 3 July to 12 July 2025. Recognized as one of the largest business gatherings within a Christian denomination, this global event occurs every five years and brings together leaders, delegates, and members from the Church’s 23-million-member community. This year, 2,804 delegates have been approved to attend, vote on business matters, and elect leaders for the General Conference and its 13 global divisions for the next five years. In addition to the delegates, an estimated 100,000 global attendees are expected to visit St. Louis throughout the 10-day session to observe the proceedings, explore the exhibit hall, and worship with fellow members from around the world.
Returning to St Louis
This event marks the third time the General Conference Session will be hosted in St. Louis, with the first held in 2005. Since then, the global church has grown significantly, adding over 9 million members, reflecting the rapid expansion of the Adventist movement worldwide.
The 61st GC Session was originally scheduled for 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana, but was postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the change in dates and the ongoing global recovery, the event was relocated to St. Louis and held as a scaled-down, five-day gathering. The upcoming 2025 Session marks a return to the full 10-day format, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in business meetings, inspiring worship services, and an interactive exhibit hall.
“We are thrilled to return to St. Louis,” said Silvia Sicalo, event coordinator for the Adventist Church. “We look forward to bringing the Adventist world family together and sharing the hope and mission of our Church with the community.”
Attendee Experience in 2025
As the Adventist Church returns to a full 10-day event format, members and those interested in learning more about the church are encouraged to attend some or all of the events. The official website will be updated regularly over the months leading up to the GC Session and provides housing information, daily menus and meal tickets for purchase, a schedule of events, and a list of exhibitors. This information will also be available via the GC Session app, which will be released in the next few months.
The 232,000-square-foot exhibit hall will showcase Adventist initiatives in health, education, and service worldwide. Supporting ministries, as well as individual members, will also highlight how they contribute to the global mission through their booth spaces. The hall will provide a space for learning, inspiration, and networking.
Daily music programmes will offer attendees moments of worship and reflection through diverse global performances.
Three daily concerts will be held on the main stage 30 minutes before the morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. “These moments of reflection are meant to create a worshipful atmosphere at the start of every session,” said Williams Costa Jr., communication director for the General Conference and GC Session music coordinator.
During the noon hour, the 1,400-seat Ferrara Theater will host one-hour musical presentations, showcasing the diversity of our worldwide church. “Each division will be represented on stage,” Williams noted, “highlighting both our global reach and the power of music to unite our world church family.”
Performers include the Aeolians from Oakwood University, the husband-and-wife duo Matt and Josie Minikus, and Arautos do Rei from Novo Tempo’s Gravadora label in Brazil. More than 200 musicians and groups will share their talents during the GC Session.
A Legacy of Global Gatherings
GC Sessions have a rich history spanning 161 years, beginning in 1863 when the Seventh-day Adventist Church officially organized its first session in Battle Creek, Michigan. What started as a small meeting of 20 delegates has grown into a global event drawing tens of thousands of attendees.
Historically, these meetings focus on defining the Church’s doctrines, mission, and organizational structure. In 1980, during the GC Session held in Dallas, Texas, the Seventh-day Adventist Church adopted the 27 Fundamental Beliefs. This marked a significant moment in the Church’s history, as it was the first time the global body had formally accepted a statement of beliefs. In 2005, during the session held in St. Louis, the Church expanded this to 28 Fundamental Beliefs by adding ‘Growing in Christ’. This year, delegates will discuss topics previously decided in Annual Council meetings that will continue to impact the Church’s future.
Preparing St. Louis
The Gateway Arch is an iconic landmark in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo: Gerhard Weiner/Adventist Media Exchange
There are seven Adventist Church congregations, comprising a little over 2,500 members, actively serving the local community in St. Louis. They are preparing to welcome the global delegation with open arms. From May 4 to 9, 2025, a Pathways to Health event will provide free healthcare services to underserved communities in the area. In addition, local Adventists are organizing various outreach programmes and service initiatives to ensure the event positively impacts the city. These efforts align with the broader North American Division ‘Pentecost 2025’ initiative, which encourages church leaders and members to seek the Holy Spirit’s power, mobilise for evangelism, and hold at least 3,000 events division-wide in 2025.
About the Adventist Church
Founded in 1863, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has over 23 million baptised members in more than 210 countries and territories worldwide. The Church exists to help people understand the Bible and find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.
Featured image: St. Louis business area from Gateway Arch National Park (David Neal)
Photos: [Tor Tjeransen] / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
For more information on the church and the upcoming session, visit https://www.gcsession.org.
The original version of this article first appeared in Adventist News Network
