Readers not in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition may want to skip this blog and any others like it. The name Ted Wilson may mean little to most people in the world, but it is really big in the Seventh-day Adventist community. Why? He got elected president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists last summer, and that makes him important to the 17,000,000 members and an equal number of children, attendees, and general adherents of the church around the world. Since Adventists around the world are wondering what kind of leader they have, I thought I would set out a few thoughts from personal connection and conversations with others who are even closer to him.

I have known Wilson personally off and on for some 35 years. We started out in church ministry together in New York City in the last half of the 1970s. We were ordained to the gospel ministry together at Camp Berkshire, 90 miles north of the City, in 1978 (his wife was hugely pregnant that day). His father, who became General Conference President that year (serving in the role until 1990), officiated at the service. Since 1981 we have served in different parts of the world most of the time, but have had the opportunity to keep in touch from time to time. While I wouldn’t characterize our relationship as really close, he still uses a name for me that I haven’t used in 25 years (that’s for me to know and you to find out), a reminder that we go way back.

Wilson was born and raised in Egypt, which means he has a great love for the muslim world in general and the Middle East in particular. Although the son of a man who would become General Conference President (sound a little like the Bush family?), he never wore his father’s position on his sleeve, he was always a regular guy. You never got the impression, “Do things my way or I’ll tell Daddy!” He has always tried to earn his own way, and I appreciated that. In addition to his years in Egypt, Wilson has also served for several years each in Ivory Coast and Russia.

On the personal side, Ted Wilson loves to work with his hands, particularly remodeling houses and handyman type of stuff. I really admire that as I am pretty lost when it comes to replacing a ceiling fan or a fried outlet. He kept that up as Vice-President of the General Conference, but now will likely have to give that up for the foreseeable future. Another thing he may have to give up is serious involvement in his local church, Tridelphia SDA near Silver Spring, Maryland. Up until the time of his election as president, he served as head elder of the church (highest local position under the pastor in Adventist churches) and regularly taught an adult Bible class (Sabbath School lesson). So he blends in easily with the “common people” and does not shy away from the tough work of making a local church community successful. And a little secret note, I understand from those close to him that he really loves fires. Expect a bonfire if he ever invites you over on a Saturday night!

For those who care about his election (and that includes a whole lot of my friends and workmates), I plan to share what I know about his special gifts for leadership and also some of the unique challenges he will face as president of the General Conference. While it might be presumptuous of me to call him “close friend” in light of the long absences over the years, I do think I know him well enough to offer a little insight on his character for those who don’t know him personally. These are just one man’s impressions. But I think it is encouraging for Adventists to know that the better most people know Ted Wilson, the better they like him.