Jeff Fogelquist, a first-time delegate at the 62nd General Conference Session, has a deep family history connected to this global gathering. He was just 10 days old when his parents, Pastor Gary and Debbie Fogelquist, brought him to his very first session, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1985.

Early in his pastoral ministry based in Washington state, Gary Fogelquist began a tradition that would carry through his career: attending General Conference Sessions with his family.

“I wanted my family to experience the global church,” he said.

That tradition began in 1985, when Gary and Debbie traveled to New Orleans for the 10-day session with their newborn son and a note from the doctor in hand. 

Over the next four decades, the couple missed only one session in 2022.

That means the Fogelquists made the journey from Washington state to New Orleans, Louisiana (1985); Indianapolis, Indiana (1990); Utrecht, Netherlands (1995); Toronto, Canada (2000); St. Louis, Missouri (2005); Atlanta, Georgia (2010); San Antonio, Texas (2015); and now back to St. Louis in 2025.

"It's been an adventure every session," Debbie remembered. "It’s in our blood; it's just what we do."

Over time — and as their family grew — attending every session together wasn’t always possible. The children often stayed home with their grandparents, but the rhythm of participating as a couple became a meaningful part of their ministry life.

“Some years, we had to travel a long way,” Gary reflected. “It’s nice to be closer this year and within relative driving distance.”

In all his years of attending, Gary had one opportunity to serve as a delegate, representing both Washington Conference and North Pacific Union in San Antonio, Texas.

After years of observing the ebb and flow of delegate activity on the floor, he resolved to be present at every business meeting to honor his commitment.

He discovered full days of business meetings left little time for exploring the exhibit hall, reconnecting with ministry friends or attending extra programs. Each session helps Fogelquist to appreciate the global mission represented by the church, that it is broader and more diverse in its application of mission and ministry.

And now, four decades later, the newborn son the Fogelquists brought to the 1985 session has come full circle.

Jeff Fogelquist, now serving as the North Pacific Union’s chief financial officer since June 2025, is attending this year’s session not just as a participant, but as a delegate. In doing so, he continues the family tradition his parents began so many years ago.

“I honestly never thought I would be a delegate at GC Session, even though I have worked for the conference and the division for many years,” Jeff said. “It’s a real privilege.”

Three generations of Fogelquists formed a caravan to travel from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States to attend and participate in a tradition that has helped them appreciate the global church more deeply. 

Jeff particularly remembers attending the session in Atlanta. At the time, he had been working for Washington Conference for two years as a treasury intern.

“When I first started working for the church, it wasn’t really what I wanted to do,” Jeff admitted. “It wasn’t really the interest I had, but that meeting in Atlanta really brought out an interest in the way the church works, the way we decide things and how it’s more than just a local church or conference doing the work. I saw how it’s a church body as a whole working together.”

As Jeff prepared to step into his role as a delegate, Gary offered a few words of fatherly wisdom: “Be engaged. Be active. Take advantage of the opportunity.”

Jeff also appreciated a word of encouragement from G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president, during the division’s caucus, who encouraged delegates to speak what God puts on their hearts because it may help shape the conversation and represent what others may be thinking.

For the Fogelquists, General Conference Sessions have always been more than just meetings — they’re treasured opportunities to reconnect, reflect, and renew their commitment to ministry and each other.

“My parents have always made General Conference Session important in their ministry and planning their vacation schedules,” Jeff said. “It’s a good tradition to continue now with my wife and three children.”

—  Heidi Baumgartner, communication director for the North Pacific Union Conference and Gleaner editor, contributed this article for ANN, the NAD, and NW Adventists.