:: The 21st General Conference Session

Bulletin #2, August 30, 2011

New General Conference President Elected

On Sunday evening, 28th of August, 2011, Br. Davi Paes Silva, at 66 years of age, was elected as the new General Conference President by the delegates of the 21st General Conference Session of the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement, held in Porumbacu, Romania.

Br. Silva has been serving the Lord in gospel ministry since 1961 when He commenced work as a colporteur in Brazil. During this time, he began studying the message of "Christ Our Righteousness" in earnest, particularly the 1888 message as presented in the writings of Elders Waggoner and Jones and the Spirit of Prophecy. In 1968 he became a Bible Worker. He then moved into direct employment with the publishing house work in Brazil in 1969, serving as an editor, translator, proof-reader, and author. A significant project undertaken during this time was the translation into Portuguese of two of Elder E. J. Waggoner's best known works, the book "Christ and His Righteousness" and "Studies in Romans." These translations were completed in 1976.

In 1988 Br. Silva began work on the book "Saved by Grace" which he co-authored with Br. Jorai Pereira da Cruz. It has been the wonderful appreciations gained from the message "Christ Our Righteousness" that has been the foundation of Br. Silva's personal ministry.

His first address to the delegates after being elected was as follows:

"Dear Brethren, when they asked me if I was willing to accept this responsibility, I told them, 'By myself I am not able, but I trust Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I trust in your prayers for your support.'

"1 Corinthians 2:1-4, 'And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.'

"Dear brethren, I firmly believe that this Movement is represented by Revelation 18, but I believe also that our main message is 'Christ Our Righteousness.' I really need your prayers and support because I recognize my deficiencies and without Jesus Christ and your support, I can do nothing.

"Please add my name to your prayer list. How many will pray for me? I count on you, brethren."

Br Silva is married to Sr. Alexandrina Silva. The Lord has blessed them with two children and six grandchildren. He has served the Lord in various General Conference capacities over the last 24 years, including Regional Secretary of South America (1987-1995), Secretary (1995-1999), Regional Secretary of North America (1999-2003) and Vice-President (2004-2011).

Let us all keep Br. Silva in our prayers as he endeavors to fulfil his new responsibilities faithfully to the Lord during the coming term of office. 

New General Conference Vice-Presidents Elected

On Monday, August 29th 2011, the various committees continued their work bringing partial reports to the delegation session. Since the reports of these committees need to be first presented and then tabled so that various delegates can bring their recommendations to the respecting committees, no resolutions were made with the exception of the Nominating Committee.

Two more offices were filled on Monday. The office of the 1st Vice-President of the General Conference was filled by Duraisamy Sureshkumar while the office of the 2nd Vice-President was filled by the re-election of Peter D. Lausevic who is residing in the Pacific Region.

Duraisamy Sureshkumar

Peter D. Lausevic

Other General Conference Executive Officers

On Tuesday, August 30th 2011, the session was divided into their respective committees. There were no other reports presented with the exception of two more offices from the Nominating Committee.

The office of the Secretary of the General Conference was filled by Eli Tenorio who recently moved to British Columbia in Canada. Originally from Brazil, he has worked in the Central US Field in the United States as well as in the East Canadian Field.

Eli Tenorio

The office of the Treasurer has been filled by Rudolfo Gessner who will be moving to the United States from Brazil. He has previously served as an auditor for the church in Brazil and is currently involved in the Ethical Excellency Department in the South Union of Brazil.

Rudolfo Gessner

Tomorrow, before the Nominating Committee will be meeting in order to select the Departmental and Institutional Directors, each Region of the General Conference will be meeting together in order to select their Regional Secretary. Due to term limits, at least three Regions will be choosing new Regional Secretaries and some will be changed due to illness. We will be keeping you informed.

Newly elected Executive Committee members From the left, Rudolfo Gessner (Treasurer), Peter D. Lausevic (2nd Vice-president), Davi Paes Silva (President), Duraisamy Sureshkumar (1st Vice-president), Eli Tenorio (Secretary)

In the next bulletin, we also hope to give you some of the spiritual thoughts from the Session.

Bulletin Committee: Peter D. Lausevic, Paul Chapman, and Daniel Lee