On July 6, Dr. Richard E. McEdward, who has served as President of the Middle East and North Africa Union (MENAU) since 2016, was appointed Executive Secretary of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Adventist News Network (ANN), the official communication channel of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, explained his new role: “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.”
Nine Years of Service
Dr. McEdward and his wife, Marcia, arrived in Beirut with a heart for service. Over the years, they became beloved leaders and friends, passionate about youth, health, media, and outreach. Under his leadership, God accomplished through him projects like the shift from satellite broadcasting to a stronger digital presence of Hope Channel MENA, and the opening of the Arabic Theological Seminary.
Marcia served as MENAU’s Health Ministries Director, complementing their joint mission with care and dedication. Under her supervision, programs like Breathe Free and Break Free were implemented in the region, being practical support for those who want to stop smoking, and also desire to be free of addiction, respectively.
A Leader With a Mission
During his first press conference, Dr. McEdward emphasized the importance of living out the gospel in a personal and relational way. “Jesus lived with us. He was incarnational. And in doing so, He gave us an example of how we, too, are called to live as cross-cultural servants,” he said. “I would love to see every Adventist truly engaged with their neighbors and families, because I believe those are the people most open to hearing your story with Jesus, to truly ‘taste and see that the Lord is good.’” He concluded, “I think the personal touch is essential. That’s where disciples are made, in those meaningful, personal connections.”
ANN also mentioned: 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.
As Middle East and North Africa Union, we are grateful for the impact of Dr. McEdward and Marcia’s ministry in MENA. They will be greatly missed, but we believe God will continue to use them powerfully in their new roles. We pray for their leadership and skills to be used to pursue the work God commanded us in the Bible.
