The Bethlehem Mission Society is guided by the General Council which is elected at every General Chapter for a five-year period of office.
The current General Council of the Bethlehem Mission Society, serving until 2028 (from left): Ludovic Nobel (Superior General), Emilio Näf (Vicar General), Josef Christen (Member of the General Council).
Ludovic Nobel, Superior General
| Rector of the parish of Notre-Dame de Bourguillon | 2010 - 2020 |
| Lecturer at the University of Fribourg | 2013 - present |
| Parish Moderator of the German-speaking parishes of the city of Fribourg | 2020 - 2023 |
| Dean of the German-speaking diocese region of Fribourg | 2021 - present |
| General Councillor of the SMB | 2018 - 2023 |
| Superior General of the SMB | 2023 - present |
Emilio Näf, Vicar General
| Missionary in Peru | 1975 - 1993 |
| Vicar General of the SMB | 1993 - 2003 |
| Superior General of the SMB | 2003 - 2008 |
| Vicar General of the SMB | 2023 - present |
Josef Christen, General Councillor
| Missionary in Rhodesia | 1969 - 1976 |
| Information Service in Switzerland | 1976 - 1979 |
| Missionary in Zambia | 1980 - 1991 |
| Superior of the Immensee House | 1992 - 2001 |
| Missionary in Zambia | 2002 - 2008 |
| Superior of the Immensee House | 2008 - 2023 |
| General Councillor of the SMB | 2008 - 2013 |
| Vicar General of the SMB | 2018 - 2023 |
| General Councillor of the SMB | 2026 - present |
Previous Superior Generals of the SMB
Josef Meili
2018 – 2023
Ernst Wildi
2013 – 2018
Josef Meili
2008 – 2013
Emil Näf
2003 – 2008
Josef Meili
1993 – 2003
Josef Elsener
1981 – 1993
Josef Amstutz
1967 – 1981
Father Max Blöchliger
1957 – 1967
Father Eduard Blatter
1947 – 1957
Pater Pietro Bondolfi, the founder of the SMB
1921 – 1943