Welcome to the first Annual Council of this quinquennium. We are praying for God’s blessing as we plan and prepare for the time we will spend together. We look forward to working and worshiping with you at the 2025 Annual Council of the General Conference Executive Committee as we conduct the business that drives the mission of the Church. The meetings will take place October 8 through October 15 at the General Conference headquarters building in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. The meetings will be in-person and on-site with no provision for joining virtually. The theme for Annual Council and the LEAD Conference this year is “Integrated for Mission.”
It will be a joy to be together to conduct the Lord’s business and discuss His mission to the world. As we begin this new quinquennium let us pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our gathering, and to continue to dedicate our lives to serve Him until we see Him in the clouds.
Schedule of Meetings
Dates and times are subject to change. Last updated October 8, 2025.
All times are Eastern Daylight Time (Washington, DC; UTC-04:00).
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
- Annual Council Check-In 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Welcome Reception 6:00-7:00 p.m.
- Annual Council Opening 7:00-8:30 p.m.
- Speaker: Shane Anderson, Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Title: “Why We Are Here, Part 1: What if . . .”
Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Devotional 8:00-9:00 a.m.
- Speaker: Richard E McEdward, Secretary of the General Conference
- Title: “All for God and His Mission”
- LEAD Conference 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- LEAD Conference 1:30-5:00 p.m.
Friday, October 10, 2025
- Devotional 8:00-9:15 a.m.
- Speaker: Shane Anderson, Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Title: “Why We Are Here, Part 2: A Mighty, Vast Army”
- Annual Council Business Session 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Friday Evening Program: Women’s Ministries 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sabbath, October 11, 2025
- Sabbath School 9:00-10:00 a.m.
- Special Presentation 10:00-10:40 a.m.
- Church Service 10:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Speaker: Erton C Kohler, President of the General Conference
- Title: “Let’s All Go Together”
Sunday, October 12, 2025
- Devotional 8:00-9:15 a.m.
- Speaker: Shane Anderson, Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Title: “Why We Are Here, Part 3: Our Finest Hour”
- Annual Council Business Session 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Nominating Committee 12:00-2:00 p.m.
- Annual Council Business Session 2:00-5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 13, 2025
- Devotional 8:00-9:15 a.m.
- Speaker: Shane Anderson, Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Title: “Why We Are Here, Part 4: Justice, and Soon”
- Annual Council Business Session 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Annual Council Business Session 2:00-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Devotional 8:00-9:15 a.m.
- Speaker: Shane Anderson, Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Title : “Why We Are Here, Part 5: Religion, Undefiled”
- Annual Council Business Session 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Annual Council Business Session 2:00-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
- Devotional 8:00-9:15 a.m.
- Speaker: Shane Anderson, Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Title: “Why We Are Here, Part 6: Bullseye”
- Annual Council Business Session 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Annual Council Agenda
Download the 2025 Annual Council agenda (2 MB PDF)
Watch Live
All meetings of the Annual Council will be livestreamed as scheduled, October 8-15, 2025.
Prayer Room
A prayer room will be available in the Visitor’s Center during the following times:
- Friday, October 10 6:45-7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
- Sabbath, October 11 7:45-8:45 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, October 12 6:45-7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Monday, October 13 6:45-7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 14 6:45-7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 15 6:45-7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Spouse Program
During Annual Council this year, there will be meetings for the spouses with presentations on Equipped for Mission: Flourishing in Life and Ministry. The featured speaker will be Crystal E Ward, Associate Secretary of the Ministerial Association.
Presentations will be on Sunday, October 12, from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., all day Monday, October 13, starting at 9:30 a.m., and Wednesday, October 15, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. On Tuesday, October 14, there will be a special outing for spouses. We look forward to spending time with you during Annual Council!
Daily Schedule
Daily Schedules for the dates of Annual Council and the pre-meetings will be emailed to committee members at approximately 6:00 p.m. the previous day.