The letter to the United Nations released on January 9, 2026, represents the culmination of numerous efforts over many years by various members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to follow Biblical models of discussion and dispute resolution regarding the Church’s affiliation with the United Nations and related issues.
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15-17
Many in the Church are rightly concerned that Matthew 18:15-17 be followed to give each person an opportunity for repentance and reform without condemnation. For most matters within the church, Matthew 18:15-17 is relevant and applicable. It begins with, “If thy brother shall trespass against thee…” This refers to a disagreement or sin that occurs between individuals within the church. It is about handling a personal matter privately to avoid unnecessarily involving people who are not directly affected by the sin.
In the case of the union of the Church with the UN, this is not a disagreement between individuals. First, it was a decision made through generations of liaising with and uniting with the world. This is a case of the sins of ‘our fathers.’ Secondly, it is not a trespass between two brothers; it is a trespass between God’s people, His Church, and Jesus Christ. This does not just impact the relationship between individuals within the Church, but also affects the relationship between the Church and Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it misrepresents Christ to the world; this makes it a sin even against the world. Therefore, this is a trespass that is much broader and detrimental than sins between brethren.
Speaking of the difference between private and public sins, Ellen White wrote,
“True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty.”
Ellen G. White, The Faith I Live By (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958), 128.3.
The Bible records multiple instances of dealing with corporate and public sins. Matthew 18 does not appear to be the prevailing guide of action in many of these stories. Biblical examples of dealing with public sin include,
- Moses’s dealing with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram;
- Moses’s dealing with the leaders in rebellion at Baal-Peor;
- Joshua’s dealing with Achan;
- Elijah’s dealing with Ahab;
- John the Baptist’s rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees;
- Christ’s warning to the scribes and Pharisees;
- Christ’s warning to the Church of His day;
- Peter’s rebuke of the Jewish Church in Jerusalem; and
- Peter’s dealing with Ananias and Saphira.
Nevertheless, God always sends warning messages to His Church, before the message becomes so loud that even the world hears it and perceives the shame of God’s bride. Therefore, God, in His mercy, has sent many warning messages to His Church before now. Before the timeline that recounts God’s attempts to awaken His people to their danger, let us turn to a quote from the inspired co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellen White,
“If men would seek for usefulness in life, for true goodness of heart, if they would sever every cord that binds them in unholy alliance to the world and would stand wholly upon the Lord’s side to be led and taught of God, then the life of Christ would be imitated. Those who profess Christ would not then seek to meet the world’s standard and the spirit of rebellion, discord and apostasy would not be found in the church. Men would not worship man and receive in faith his boastful words in which there is not truth.”
Ellen G. White, Letter 28, 1888, in Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 (Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990).
Timeline
2009
SDA Church members, who attended the 2009 joint conference on health and lifestyle with WHO, said that a partnership with WHO could dilute the SDA Church’s distinct message.
Ansel Oliver, “Potential Adventist Church-WHO Collaboration Looks Promising, Leaders Say,” Adventist News Network, July 13, 2009, accessed January 3, 2026, https://adventist.news/news/potential-adventist-church-who-collaboration-looks-promising-leaders-say
2016
An independent ministry released a video on YouTube about the SDA leaders joining with the UN in meetings as a sign of apostasy.
ProphesyAgainTV, “These Men Falsify EG White To Support Ecumenism with Babylon & Popery,” YouTube video, 2:14:55, November 18, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5SlZMWLcE&list=PLDPuj5e9oSTQT6NnkAWRQQZb5eIyFYYX2
2017
Timothy Perenich and Michael Farris released a book entitled Vaccination: Biblical Revelation, Ellen G. White, History, Science, specifically in response to the 2015 statement.
For Jesus in New England, “A Better Position on Vaccination? Kirkpatrick Reacts to 2017 Book by Perenich & Farris,” YouTube video, 11:27, August 2, 2021, accessed January 3,2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaRArmuheXA&t=239s
Timothy Perenich and Michael Farris, Vaccination: Biblical Revelation, Ellen G. White, History, Science (Kindle edition, 2019), accessed January 2, 2026, https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51804016-vaccination
2018
Timothy Perenich appeared on YouTube in a program called A Challenge & Appeal to SDA Leaders & Laity. Interview w/ Dr. Timothy Perenich on Vaccination.
Prophesyagaintv, “A Challenge & Appeal to SDA Leaders & Laity. Interview w/ Dr. Timothy Perenich on Vaccination,” YouTube video, 1:46:41, posted December 3, 2018, accessed January 3, 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3G9uUoD0KM
2020
PARL responded to ‘online allegations’ that the GC is in an alliance with religious and political institutions, including the UN. This indicates that those in leadership have been made aware of the concerns.
Ganoune Diop, “Not Everything Published Online is Truth,” Adventist Liberty (blog), 2020, accessed January 3, 2026, https://www.adventistliberty.org/not-everything-published-online-is-truth
2021
On October 4, 2021, Liberty and Health Alliance issued a formal appeal in Defence of Liberty of Conscience to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and commenced an online petition.
Liberty & Health Alliance, “A Formal Appeal in Defense of Liberty of Conscience to The Seventh-day Adventist Church,” Fulcrum7, October 4, 2021, accessed January 3, 2026, https://www.fulcrum7.com/blog/2021/10/4/a-formal-appeal-in-defense-of-liberty-of-conscience-to-the-seventh-day-adventist-church
Liberty & Health Alliance, “Liberty,” Liberty and Health Alliance, accessed January 3, 2026, https://libertyandhealth.org/liberty/
2021
On October 25, 2021, the General Conference released the 2021 immunization reaffirmation statement shortly after the Liberty and Health Alliance appeal was published, and a petition was launched.
“Reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Response to COVID-19,” Adventist Record, November 4, 2021, accessed January 3, 2026 https://record.adventistchurch.com/2021/11/04/reaffirming-the-seventh-day-adventist-churchs-response-to-covid-19/
2022
In May 2022, the SDAPEARL campaign was launched with the first SDA congregation to formally reject the 2015 statement, at its business meeting in Namibia. A letter was sent to every level of the church administration, including the GC, to explain why it was important to reject the statement.
Newshound, “Church in South African Union Petitions GC EXCOM to Withdraw 2015 ADCOM Vax Statement,” Fulcrum7, May 6, 2022, accessed January 3, 2026, https://www.fulcrum7.com/news/2022/5/6/church-in-south-african-union-petitions-excom-to-withdraw-2015-adcom-vax-statement
2022
On June 6, 2022, General Conference session delegate Jonathan Zirkle, presented the Liberty and Health Alliance petitions (with approximately 25,000 signatures on it) to the General Conference in session and asked for the vaccination statement to be added to the agenda. President Ted Wilson advised the delegates not to put the statement on the agenda.
Angelica Sanchez, “What Happened Today – Monday, June 6th,” Adventist News Network, June 7, 2022, accessed January 3, 2026, https://adventist.news/news/what-happened-today-monday-june-6th
2022-2025
From 2022 to 2025, numerous churches requested that the GC break its association with the UN by writing letters to the GC President (formerly Ted Wilson) and General Secretary (formerly Erton Kohler, now the President). These were sent before the General Conference Session 2025. Some of these include: Ardmore SDA Church, Farmington Seventh-day Adventist Church, Die Hoek Sewende-Dag Adventiste Kerk, Iona SDA Church, Koper-Capodistria SDA Church, Lancaster Ohio SDA Church, Pagosa Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Yacolt Seventh-Day Adventist church.
Platform Encouraging Autonomy, Reformation & Liberty. Appeal to the General Conference 2025: Part 1. 4 June 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b376a085-67d7-415e-82cc-e980a51e4c01/Appeal%20to%20the%20General%20Conference%202025-%20Part%201.pdf
Platform Encouraging Autonomy, Reformation & Liberty. Appeal to the General Conference 2025: Part 2. 6 July 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b376a085-67d7-415e-82cc-e980a51e4c01/Appeal%20to%20the%20General%20Conference%202025%20-%20Part%202.pdf
Ardmore SDA Church in the United States read their letter to the General Conference on YouTube. At 15 minutes, 37 seconds of Reference A, they stated, “We wholeheartedly reject the involvement of the Sevent-day Adventist Church with the United Nations in any particular. This includes membership, consultative status, or as a participant in the programs, the ethos or the initiatives of the United Nations. As a distinct and peculiar people, we are not to enter into any league with the surrounding nations, but we are to give a loud cry and a warning to the world that Babylon is indeed fallen.”
Reference A. Ardmore SDA Church. “To the Laity and Leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” YouTube video, 21:34. [Posted June 1, 2025]. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WsFxR1orVo&t=13s
2025
On January 5, 2025, a video was released revealing the GC’s consultative status as an NGO of the UN. At that time, the speaker called for a disassociation with the UN, citing Judges 2:1-3 as a reference. This video was called the UN connection and appears to be the video that Artur Stele referenced at the GC session in 2025. Numerous other videos have been added to this one by the same presenter. Other presenters have also added their voice to the call to disassociate from the UN.
Med Missionary. “Prepare for GC 2025 | The GC and UN Connection”. YouTube video, 1:34: 29. [Posted January 5, 2025]. Accessed November 17, 2025.
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. “#GCSession 2025 – St. Louis – Thursday Afternoon – July 3rd” YouTube video, 4:10:30[Posted July 4, 2025]. see 3:13:00 Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOwGX7oQAYY&t=1s
ELIJAHSLOUDCRY. United Nations Playlist. YouTube Channel. YouTube. Accessed November 26, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/@ElijahsLoudCry
Dr. Conrad Vine “Three generations | Dr. Conrad Vine” YouTube video, 1:18:16 [Posted October 18, 2025.] Accessed November 25, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vda7EL1Rzg8
Dr. Conrad Vine “Buyer Beware Part 1” YouTube video, 1:11:15 [Posted October 18, 2025.] Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVyfuP32LP
Pathway to Paradise. “The Image of the Beast and the Great Test” YouTube video, 1:00: 40. [Posted October 26, 2025]. Accessed November 25, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyPd08Vk4xY
Ardmore SDA Church. “A Plain thus Saith the Lord: A Message of Appeal Regarding the United Nations” YouTube video, 59:38. [Posted June 14, 2025]. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QBCFFLwXnI
2025
On January 1, 2025, Liberty and Health Alliance launched another petition to appeal to leadership to remove the immunization statement and the reaffirmation statement.
NewsHound, “Liberty & Health Alliance Just Released One of the Most Important Documents Ever,” Fulcrum7, January 21, 2025, accessed January 3, 2026, https://gerry-wagoner.squarespace.com/news/2025/1/21/liberty-amp-health-alliance-just-released-one-of-the-most-important-documents-ever
2025
On July 3, 2025, delegate of the General Conference in Session, Georgia Kenny, requested, “Mr. Chair. in light of the point that has already been stated about the highest authority of God’s church being the voice of the general conference with its delegates in session, I would like to amend the agenda to include the item to discuss the validity of any official statement not voted by a GC in session as well as our relationship with non-Adventist entities and ecumenical councils such as the UN.”
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. “#GCSession 2025 – St. Louis – Thursday Afternoon – July 3rd” YouTube video, 4:10:30. [Posted July 4, 2025]. See 3:05:40-3:06:13, accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOwGX7oQAYY&t=1s
2025
On July 3, 2025, the GC president and a delegate of equal status at the conference in session, Ted Wilson, then delivered a speech of approximately 11 minutes denying any significant partnership with the UN, claiming that the GC has no contact with the UN except for representatives working with other NGOs for humanitarian, health and religious liberty reasons.
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. “#GCSession 2025 – St. Louis – Thursday Afternoon – July 3rd” YouTube video, [Posted July 4, 2025]. See 3:18:50-3:30:04, accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOwGX7oQAYY&t=1s
2025
On November 19, 2025, a group of faithful Bible-believing Seventh-day Adventists sent a letter to the General Conference administration requesting that the GC and all related entities disassociate from the UN and all of its associated entities. The letter is available in the Resources page of this website.
2026
On January 9, 2026, a group of faithful Bible-believing Seventh-day Adventists sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and began a petition for SDA members to sign. The letter and petition call for the UN to sever all relationships with the GC and its related entities. This letter is available on the Petition and Resources pages of this website.
