Jan Paulsen

Dr. Jan Paulsen is a Seventh-day Adventist Church leader. Paulsen has served in Africa, Europe and America. He was president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists from March 1999 to June 2010.

Presidential service Paulsen was first elected upon his predecessor's resignation for the remainder of the term ending in 2000. He was re-elected to the office of president at the 57th General Conference Session in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2000. During this term, Paulsen's office was responsible for the initiation of such programs as "Go One Million", "Faith & Science Dialogues" and "Sow One Billion". Paulsen also took the initiative to open dialogue between the youth of the church through his "Let's Talk" campaign. On 1 July 2005, Paulsen was again re-elected to the office during the 58th General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri. His term ended on 25 June 2010, when Ted N. C. Wilson was elected as president during the 59th General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia.

In December 2003, following the DePaiva family murders in Palau, Jansen expressed his condolences to the surviving daughter and urged Adventists worldwide to keep the church of Palau in prayers. The DePaivas were Brazilian American missionaries from Michigan.

He has outlined "three people in particular... who have helped me along the way" – his mother, schoolteacher O. K. Naerland and "mentor" theologian Ted Heppenstall.

On 11 November 2011, Paulsen was named a Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. The award was presented at Tyrifjord Videregående Skole on 2 June 2012.

Publications When the Spirit Descends (Review & Herald, 2001) - Let Your Life So Shine (Pacific Press, 2003) - Where Are We Going? (Pacific Press, 2011) -