Ted N. C. Wilson
Former President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Theodore Norman Clair "Ted" Wilson (born May 10, 1950) is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) minister. He is known for being the President of the General Conference (GC), the worldwide governing organization of the SDA Church,[1] from 2010 to 2025.[2][3][4] On July 4, 2025, he was succeeded by Erton Köhler.[5]
Ted N. C. Wilson | |
|---|---|
 Wilson in 2012 | |
| 20th President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists | |
| In office June 23, 2010 – July 4, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jan Paulsen |
| Succeeded by | Erton Köhler |
| Vice President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists | |
| In office August 2000 – June 23, 2010 | |
| President of the Euro-Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists | |
| In office 1992–1996 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 10, 1950 |
| Spouse | Nancy Wilson |
| Parent(s) | Neal C. Wilson and Elinor E. Wilson |
| New York University, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Andrews University, Washington Adventist University | |
| Profession | Pastor |
Family and Education
Ted Wilson was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on May 10, 1950, to Neal C. Wilson (GC president: 1979–1990) and Elinor E. Wilson. He and his wife, Nancy Louise (Vollmer) Wilson (a physiotherapist), have three daughters (Emile, Elizabeth, and Catherine) and eleven grandchildren.[1]
Wilson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and business administration from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University); a Master of Science degree in public health from Loma Linda University; a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in religious education from New York University.[1]
Career
Wilson's SDA career began in 1974 as a pastor in the Greater New York Conference, and assistant director and director of Metropolitan Ministries from 1976 until 1981. He was a departmental director and later executive secretary of the Africa-Indian Ocean Division of the GC until 1990. After a two-year term as an associate secretary of the GC, Wilson became president of the Euro-Asia Division of the GC from 1992 to 1996. He was president of the Review and Herald Publishing Association until 2000, when he became a GC vice president.[1] At the 59th GC Session in 2010, Wilson was elected President to replace Jan Paulsen,[6][7] a position he held until 2025.
During his GC presidency, Wilson was engaged in various SDA controversies over biblical, theological, political, and life-style issues, including the writings of Ellen White,[8] creation-evolution,[9] spiritual formation,[9] last generation theology,[10] the ordination of women in pastoral ministry,[11] and human sexuality.[12]
Wilson's 36 years of SDA service included pastoral, administrative, and executive roles in Mid-Atlantic United States, Africa, Russia, and the world church.[13]
