Traveling is always exciting. But this occasion was different for a number of reasons. To start, the 61st session of the General Conference (GC) was postponed for two years due to the global pandemic.
The question of how to handle these unforeseen historical events strained the administrative machinery of the Church. All countries with an Adventist presence have been wondering whether they could send part or all of their delegates. Some divisions have seen their physical presence here in St. Louis diminished. But, thanks to technological advances and provisions approved in recent changes to the GC bylaws, their virtual presence is guaranteed and the value of their votes remains intact.
Delegates who were able to overcome various challenges, such as obtaining visas, health clearance to enter the United States, and even some flight delays, experienced once more that nothing can hinder God’s Work from continuing. In one way or another, tired, challenged, some without luggage, all driven by the same Spirit of service to God and His Church, gathered this morning at the ACCC to move forward the preaching of the Gospel in the years to come.
While there is always room for improvement, we are witnesses that the Lord has laid a solid foundation for His Church. Despite the circumstances, the 61st session of the General Conference began today, Monday, by the grace of God.
This session goes beyond the mere administrative work of our church. The city of St. Louis welcomes Adventists with banners adorning every streetlight in the city. At the airport itself, illuminated signs welcome Adventists.
The streets smile with the many groups of delegates who make their way to the Americas Center Convention Center (ACCC) early in the morning. The locals look at us with surprise as we are the first visitors to fill the streets that have been empty for three long years.
We discover, with some surprise, that this is the first major event to be held in this city since the beginning of the pandemic. The entities hosting this event, from hotels to the few stores still open, welcomed us with kindness and enthusiasm as their businesses regained customers.
The coordinator of the ACCC center was very moved when she welcomed the coordinators of all the hotels in the city and representatives of all the divisions of our church. The reason was more human than financial. She hadn’t seen all her colleagues together in the same room for a big event in three years.
Adventist leaders at this session congratulated all the representatives of the city’s collaborating organizations, the city council, the airport, and others for the wonderful welcome they gave to the delegates. It has been a long time since the streets of this city have seen so many people from all cultures and regions of the world.
The reunion of the delegates in the corridors of the ACCC echoed with joy and delighted voices. It is understandable that most of them have not been able to embrace each other for many years. On a very personal level, it reminded me with emotion, in a few very precise moments, of the echoes of those reunions of survivors of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 in the center of Kigali. Obviously, it is not the same situation, but the joy and happiness can be compared.
This episode in our church’s history shows us, once again, that in God’s hands, the worst seemingly insurmountable conditions can become a blessing, not only for His people, but also for those who welcome and surround them. God goes far beyond our limitations.
