Richard E. McEdward has been elected to serve as secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Delegates voted to appoint McEdward during the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session held in the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
As one of three executive officers of the global church, which includes more than 23 million members in more than 200 countries, McEdward will oversee the coordination of the church’s worldwide operations. His responsibilities include supporting administrative structures, guiding leadership transitions, and equipping church entities for mission effectiveness across diverse regions and cultures.
McEdward’s name was recommended by the GC Nominating Committee after prayerful deliberation and consultation. His nomination was brought before the full delegation and confirmed by a vote of delegates representing every region of the global church.
The vote passed 1,630 to 153.
A Life of Cross-Cultural Mission and Leadership
McEdward brings decades of mission experience, cross-cultural leadership, and theological expertise to his new role as secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Prior to his election, McEdward served as president of the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission (MENAUM), where he led strategic outreach efforts in one of the most challenging regions in the world for gospel ministry.
McEdward’s commitment to mission is deeply rooted in his upbringing and personal journey. Born in Seattle, Washington, he spent his formative years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where his family lived as expatriates. Those early experiences living among diverse communities helped cultivate in him a deep sense of empathy and purpose in sharing Christ’s love across cultural and religious lines.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Walla Walla University, a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University, and a doctorate in missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary. His professional ministry includes service as a pastor, church planting coordinator in Sri Lanka and the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and associate director of the Institute of World Mission at Andrews University.
McEdward later joined the General Conference, where he served as associate director of the Office of Adventist Mission and director of the Global Mission Centers for World Religions. In 2016, he was elected to lead MENAUM, based in Beirut, Lebanon, where he supported frontline workers and helped expand strategic mission presence in urban and unreached areas.
Known for his thoughtful leadership and collaborative spirit, McEdward brings to the Secretariat a rich understanding of global mission dynamics and the organizational frameworks needed to support them. He is married to Marcia McEdward, a registered nurse at the General Conference. They have two adult children, Julia and Joshua.
The Role of the Secretary
The secretary of the General Conference plays a vital role in the global coordination of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This includes overseeing administrative functions, supporting leadership transitions, maintaining accurate membership and policy records, and guiding regional officers in mission planning and implementation.
The secretary also works closely with mission-focused departments, including the Office of Adventist Mission, the Institute of World Mission, and the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research.
About the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been a global Protestant denomination since 1863, with more than 23 million members worldwide. The church holds the Bible as its ultimate authority and seeks to help people find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.
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