Leadership
Richard E. McEdward
Richard E. McEdward is one of the three Executive Officers of the Church (the other two being the President and the Treasurer). He serves as an advisor to the Office of Adventist Mission, the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, and the Institute of World Mission. McEdward comes from a background as a pastor, church planter, and missionary.
Hensley M. Moorooven
Hensley Moorooven was elected as Undersecretary of the General Conference in April 2018. He serves as liaison officer to the South Pacific Division and the Chinese Union Mission. His major responsibilities include oversight of the General Conference Constitution and Bylaws and General Conference Working Policy; and agendas and minutes for General Conference Session, Annual Council, Spring Meeting, and other…
Gary D. Krause
Gary Krause was elected as Associate Secretary of the General Conference in July 2010. He serves as the liaison officer to Israel Field and as the Director of Adventist Mission, which oversees the Global Mission Centers, church planting, and mission promotion. Krause holds a Bachelor’s in Education from Avondale College and a Bachelor of Arts from…
Elbert Kuhn
Elbert Kuhn was elected Associate Secretary of the General Conference in June 2018. He serves as liaison officer to the Southern Asia-Pacific Division and the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission, as well as the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies and ADRA Asia. He also serves as the Director of the Adventist Volunteer Service. Kuhn…
Alexander Ott
Alex Ott was elected Associate Secretary of the General Conference in July 2025. He serves as liaison officer to the Euro-Asia Division, Trans-European Division, West-Central Africa Division, and the Ukrainian Union Conference. He also oversees Secretariat Academy. Ott holds a BA in Theology from Zaoksky Theological Seminary and a MA in Theology from Andrews University.…
Karen J. Porter
Karen Porter was elected as Associate Secretary of the General Conference in July 2014. She serves as liaison officer to the Inter-European Division and the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. She also serves as Co-Director of International Personnel Resources and Services (IPRS), and as the liaison for the Deferred Mission Appointment (DMA) Program. Porter holds a bachelor’s in business administration from…
Gerson P. Santos
Gerson Santos was elected as Associate Secretary of the General Conference in July 2015. He serves as liaison officer to the Inter-American Division, the North American Division, and the South American Division, His major responsibilities include oversight of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, and Disciple-Making and Reclaiming. Santos holds a BA in Theology from the…
Selom K. Sessou
Selom K. Sessou was elected Associate Secretary of the General Conference in July 2025. He serves as liaison officer to the East-Central Africa Division, the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, and the Southern Asia Division, as well as the Adventist University of Africa and ADRA Africa. He also oversees General Conference Session registration. Sessou holds a…
Lissy Park
Lissy Park was appointed Assistant Secretary of the General Conference in October 2015. She is responsible for International Service Employee service records and budgets; and serves as controller of the minutes for General Conference Session, Annual Council, and Spring Meeting. She also serves as Assistant Director of International Personnel Resources and Services (IPRS). Park holds…