Third of five sons, he was named Kwabena, "born on Tuesday." His grandfather was a fetish priest, and the boys grew up steeped in the practices of traditional African religion.

One day when he was 8 some Christian students came to the village in Ghana and began to hold public meetings. The five boys went along to cause trouble, but eventually they all accepted Jesus and were baptized.

When Kwabena became a Christian, he dropped his given name and took instead "Matthew."

Meet Matthew Bediako, newly elected secretary of the world Adventist Church. His is a story so full of wonder, so full of grace; a story that captures the essence of our movement with its demonstration of the power of the living Christ to take a child from an African village and nurture and lead him to the second highest rung of leadership of this world church.

For 12 years I have had opportunity to observe the life and leadership of Elder Matthew Bediako, field secretary 1986-1990, and a general vice president of the General Conference for the past 10 years. I respect and love this man. Two qualities in particular stand out: integrity and wisdom.

GC secretary Matthew A. Bediako

Matthew Bediako is a straight arrow. He lives and administers by principle; he is open to hear all sides and fair in his handling of disputes.

And he is wise. He combines academic preparation (M.A. in church administration from Andrews University, M.S.P.H. from Loma Linda University) with the ability to see the big picture, the threads of truth and justice in a complex situation. These qualities will serve the Adventist Church well in the years ahead.

But above all this Tuesday's child is like the old rhyme-full of grace. "Because the Lord loves me," he says, "I am struggling to love, to appreciate, and to dedicate my life to the One who has done so much for me."

You can't talk to the new secretary very long before another name comes up-his Bible teacher in secondary school and college. That teacher, a young missionary, took a chance on an African teenager, standing financial guarantor so he could work as a student literature evangelist.

The teacher? Dr. Jan Paulsen, president of the General Conference. In another wonderful turn of grace, teacher and student, one born far beyond the arctic circle, the other on an African Tuesday, stand side by side to lead the world Adventist Church.