Camp Eben-ezer, Barbosa, Colombia—The General Conference's Annual Council was held from January 11-18, 2023. Breaking from its traditional gathering in the fall, the 2023 Council convened in the first month of the year.
The 24th General Conference delegation session and public meetings will, God-willing, be held in Colombia in January 2025, so this year's Council served as an opportunity to experience the location and logistics in advance.
Over half of the Council members arrived early to participate in the national conference held from January 4-10. The others arrived shortly after for the first in-person Council since before the pandemic moved Councils online (2020-2022). Each felt the marked difference of being able to convene once again.
The 24th General Conference Session
The dates for the upcoming 24th General Conference Session were confirmed as the following:
Executive Committee - January 6, 2025
Council - January 7, 2025
Delegation Session - January 8-22, 2025
Spiritual Conferences - January 23-26, 2025
Incoming Administration - January 27, 2025
The theme of the weekend's spiritual conference was selected: “ARISE AND SHINE” based on Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”
We hope to see many of our brethren there for this spiritual gathering. The meetings will be held in Moniquirá, Boyacá, Colombia. More information concerning registration and other details will be available at sdarm.org closer to the event. Members are encouraged to begin preparations for attendance.
The General Conference in 2025 will also mark 100 years that God has granted His people to work and spread the Gospel as the Reform Movement. We praise Him for sustaining us for a century and pray that He may guide us yearly to hasten His coming.
Media and New Missions
There were many items on the Council agenda this year. Strategies and budgetary provisions were made to develop the work in the upcoming year and to best meet the spiritual needs of our Reform Movement family, as well as our global community.
To this end, the Council approved to expand media efforts and broaden the use of technology to spread the Gospel. New personnel will be hired to work in conjunction with the GC Media Committee.
Five new missions were recognized, specifically: Ivory Coast, Central Africa Republic, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The two former missions represent new countries, while the latter three represent the development of one Unit into three.
We praise the Lord for His traveling mercies and guidance during the Council. We pray that He will provide wisdom and fortitude for the conclusion of His work in this world.