elegates to the church's 57th world session today unanimously elected Pastor Jan Paulsen to a full five-year term as president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Paulsen, 65, was first elected president of the 11.3 million-member denomination at a special session of the church's Executive Committee in March 1999, when Robert S. Folkenberg resigned from office. Paulsen had served as a general vice president of the General Conference since 1995, and before that as a pastor, missionary, seminary teacher and administrator. He is only the second non-North American to serve in the church's highest leadership position since the denomination was organized by 20 American delegates in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1863.

The president and his wife, Kari, acknowledged the standing ovation from the delegates and guests after the nominating committee report that recommended his election was voted by the assembly.

"It is both a privilege and a honor to serve the church, to serve our Lord," Paulsen said quietly. "He is the One who calls us and He is the One who sustains. Were it not for that conviction, I think I would run a long ways away. But I know that the Lord needs His people."

"I am reassured by the long-held conviction, which Kari and I share, that when His church, when His people come together, the Lord is uniquely present at that occasion, and He gives guidance to us. So I will accept that the will that you have expressed reflects also His will, and I will do my best--we will do our best--to serve the church."

Paulsen also appealed for the prayer support of those he was elected to lead. "There are probably few things that mean more to me than when somebody walks up to me and tells me, `I pray for your wife and I pray for you,'" he added.

The midday vote by the 2000 official delegates attending the world meeting came less than 24 hours after the opening of the General Conference session and barely 12 hours after Paulsen's keynote presidential report on Thursday night. His multimedia report colorfully highlighted the rapid growth and development of the Adventist Church. More than 40 percent of the worldwide membership has been baptized during the last five years.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church family around the world is larger, stronger, and more diversified in mission than at any time in our history," Paulsen told the Thursday night crowd of more than 15,000 in the Toronto SkyDome. "Everything that our church is, has, and does, finds its meaning in mission." Paulsen specially highlighted the international work of Global Mission and ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), which he called "instruments of hope." "Both have stimulated thousands of young people, students, and professionals to give of their time, talents, and energies, virtually free, just to help and be part of Christ's ministry to those in need," Paulsen said.

The president's report was the centerpiece of a full evening of special events, including greetings from mayor of Toronto, Mel Lastman, who presented Paulsen and Adventist Church in Canada president Orville Parchment with ceremonial keys to the city, and from Ontario lieutenant governor Hillary Weston. A new Canadian postal stamp honoring the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its 57th General Conference session was unveiled at the Thursday night session by the Canada Post general manager, who spoke glowingly of the church's many contributions to Canadian life. Paulsen also helped to unveil a new multipart bronze sculpture, "The King Is Coming," by Colorado sculptor Victor Issa. The sculpture will be permanently displayed after the General Conference session in the church's Maryland world headquarters.

Highlights of the first 24 hours of the session included musical performances by the Oakwood College Aeolians, a choral ensemble from Huntsville, Alabama, and devotional presentations on the session theme, "Almost Home," from Peter Roennfeldt, ministerial director of the Trans-European Division, and Heather Tredoux, director of the Voice of Prophecy Bible Correspondence School for the Southern Africa Union. A Friday morning summary of the church's work presented by General Conference secretary G. Ralph Thompson was followed by impressive growth statistics from Bert Haloviak, director of the church's Archives and Statistics Department. According to Haloviak, the church is adding 500,000 new members every 231 days.

On Friday afternoon delegates also elected Matthew Bediako as General Conference secretary. Bediako, a general vice president since 1995, is the first West African to hold the second-ranking administrative position in the church. General Conference treasurer Robert Rawson was reelected to another five-year term. A full report about these two officers will be included in Bulletin 3.

The Norwegian-born Paulsen is the first leader of the world church to hold an earned doctorate, and worked for 18 years in the church's educational system after beginning church service as a pastor in his homeland. He and his family served six years at Adventist schools in Ghana and Nigeria in the 1960s before returning to northern Europe. From 1968-1980 Paulsen was a teacher and president at Newbold College, an Adventist college located 30 miles west of London.

From 1980 to 1995 Paulsen served as secretary and then president of the Trans-European Division (TED), one of the church's most diverse administrative units. Thirty-seven countries are represented in this far-flung division, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, much of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Pakistan. Paulsen's experience as an administrator in this region is frequently cited by fellow leaders as important preparation for the complex role of directing the church's worldwide efforts.

"I think it's a very good choice," said Bertil Wiklander, who followed Paulsen as president of the TED. "Elder Paulsen is a deeply spiritual man who knows where he's going. He has excellent gifts in leadership, and he's a good role model for all leaders in the church."

Northern Asia-Pacific Division president P. D. Chun was equally positive about Paulsen's election. "I anticipated it from last year," Chun offered. "He has a rich background in administration and mission experience. I'm confident that he will lead our church effectively into the new millennium."

"I'm impressed that he's a committed Christian man," said Patricia Stock, a NAD delegate. Priscilla Handia-Ben of the Eastern Africa Division concurs: "His love for his church, his humility, makes me very happy."

"As an educator he has refocused the Christ-centeredness of our educational system," said Don Leo Garilva, a pastor in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. "He has a very good grasp of the work."

Padmaraj Daniel, associate ministerial director of the Southern Asia Division, summed up the reaction of many to Paulsen's election: "We had only one desire--that Paulsen come back."

"I'm absolutely delighted," added Naomi Yamashiro, a lay delegate from the North American Division. "I can't think of anything better that could have happened."