On July 1, 2011, Artur Stele assumed his responsibilities as director of the Biblical Research Institute, in addition to his work as a General Vice President of the General Conference. In his vice-presidential role, Artur chairs the Nurture and Retention Committee and is advisor to the Adult Bible Study Guide. He also serves as vice chair of the Geoscience Research Institute board, the Faith and Science Council, and the International Board of Ministerial and Theological Education. His role as director of BRI includes general oversight of the work of the Institute, the various division-level Biblical Research Committees (BRCs), and chairing the Biblical Research Institute Committee (BRICOM) on which he previously served as a member for more than ten years. Among the priorities for the current quinquennium, Artur will chair the committee reviewing the church’s statement of fundamental beliefs and clarifying belief number six in light of the “Response to ‘An Affirmation of Creation’” approved by the 2010 General Conference session.¹ He will also oversee more than fifty International Bible and Mission Conferences.

Born in the 10/40 Window in Kazakhstan, and initially educated as a pharmacist. Artur completed a B.Th. degree at Friedensau, Germany during communist times, and worked as a pastor in various churches of the former Soviet Union, including at Zaoksky Theological Seminary. He earned an M.A. in Religion in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Old Testament in 1996 from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological

Seminary at Andrews University. His dissertation dealt with the resurrection in Daniel 12. From 1988 to 2000, he served at Zaoksky Theological Seminary as professor of Old Testament and Archaeology, academic dean, and Seminary president until his election as president of the Euro-Asia Division, a position he held until his recent election last year to serve as a vice president. Dr. Stele is fluent in Russian, German, and English. His wife Galina has a D.Min. in Mission Studies, also from the Seminary at Andrews University. Their son, Alexander, is the financial manager of the Hope Channel Euro-Asia.

Many of the Institute’s day-to-day operations will now be handled by Ekkehardt Mueller who was recently appointed as deputy director of BRI and worked closely with Ángel Manuel Rodríguez for almost fourteen years. He was the editor of the BRI newsletter from its inception until 2008 and organized the Second International Bible Conference in 2006. Ekkehardt will also coordinate symposia worldwide and assist the BRI director in overall management of the staff and the development of strategies and plans for BRI. We welcome both Artur Stele and Ekkehardt Mueller to their new responsibilities.