Today the membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church exceeds 19 million, scattered throughout 216 countries of the world. In addition to more than 80,000 churches, it operates a chain of hospitals, schools, publishing houses, media centers and other institutions. When it organized in Michigan in 1863 with 3,500 members no one then dreamed that the infant religious group would travel around the world and that in 2015 a new church would be established every 3.2 hours. Much of that growth has come about because of the dedication, vision, and prayers of the leadership-from pastors to administrators, who moved forward in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Author DeWitt S. Williams writes about some of those leaders-the men and women at the top of the organizational chain who believed, inspired, and faithfully followed God's instruction in Matthew 24:14 to evangelize the world. Starting with the first world president, John Byington, and continuing to the current leader, Ted N. C. Wilson, this volume profiles the contributions of these devoted leaders. It also portrays the facts about the secretaries and treasurers of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. DeWitt S. William graduated from Oakwood College in 1962, then Andrews and Indiana Universities and later Loma Linda University School of Public Health. An ordained minister, he served in various capacities within the Adventist Church for forty-six years, retiring in 2010 as the Director of Health for the North American Division. Dr. Williams has traveled to more than 100 countries, written many articles and talked to people about the importance of good health. Dr. Williams has served as a missionary in the Congo, and in Rwanda and Burundi. In addition to Spirit-Filled Leadership, Williams has written or coauthored eight books. Besides writing, he enjoys staying fit and has run in several marathons.
