Global Delegates Affirm Köhler’s Mission-Focused Leadership During the 62nd General Conference Session
By Elisha Pulivarti
Erton C. Köhler was elected as the new president of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists on July 4, 2025, during the 62nd GC Session held in St. Louis, Missouri. His election marks the beginning of his first term as the spiritual and administrative leader of a global movement active in more than 200 countries, serving over 23 million baptized members and millions more attending regularly.
“Before any other word, I’d like to tell you that I move forward renewed in my confidence in the Lord and in the church,” Köhler said after accepting the position. Quoting Isaiah 41:10, he affirmed, “We are moving forward, trusting in the Owner of this church.”
Köhler’s nomination followed extensive, prayerful deliberation by the Nominating Committee—a body composed of delegates representing each of the church’s 13 world divisions and various attached fields. The committee’s recommendation was then presented to the full body of delegates, who voted in favor of his appointment during the business session at the Dome at America’s Center.
Mobilizing the Church for the Unreached
Since being elected as the GC Executive Secretary during the 2021 Spring Meeting at the world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, Köhler has been widely recognized for his dynamic, mission-oriented leadership. Under his guidance, the global church launched Mission Refocus—a visionary initiative calling the church back to its original evangelistic mandate.
“Mission Refocus is a project… an initiative, a movement,” Köhler explained. “But more than anything, Mission Refocus is a call for integration.”
The initiative identifies 30 high-priority mission territories, including ten unreached countries, ten major global cities, and ten people groups primarily from the 10/40 Window—a region spanning parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia where the gospel is least known. The project also targets secular and post-Christian societies, recognizing the increasing spiritual indifference in the West.
Through Mission Refocus, Köhler has encouraged every church entity—regardless of size, region, or resource level—to engage in intentional collaboration, strategic planning, and measurable accountability for mission. His leadership has ignited a culture of frontline ministry, urging every Adventist to view themselves as a disciple-maker and mission partner.
With his election as GC President, expectations are high that Köhler will continue advancing this global, mission-driven agenda, fostering unity of purpose while navigating the challenges of a rapidly shifting world landscape.
A Life Anchored in Ministry
Born in southern Brazil, Erton Carlos Köhler grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist pastoral family and felt an early calling to ministry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1989 from the Adventist Teaching Institute, now part of the Brazilian Adventist University. In 2008, he completed a master’s degree in pastoral theology from the same institution and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Andrews University in the United States.
Köhler began his pastoral ministry in 1990, serving local congregations in São Paulo until 1994. He quickly rose through leadership ranks: first as Youth Ministries Director of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference in 1995, and then as Youth Ministries Director for the Northeast Brazil Union in 1998. In 2002, he returned to the Rio Grande do Sul Conference as executive secretary. A year later, he was appointed Youth Ministries Director for the South American Division (SAD), which oversees the church in eight countries across the continent.
In 2007, Köhler was elected President of the South American Division, a position he held for 14 years. Under his leadership, the division saw significant growth in membership, youth involvement, media ministry, and missionary engagement, including strong support for Total Member Involvement (TMI), a global evangelism initiative.
In 2021, Köhler became the Executive Secretary of the General Conference, one of the three highest offices in the Adventist Church. In that capacity, he advised key departments such as the Office of Adventist Mission, the Institute of World Mission, and the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research. He also coordinated major agenda items for church policy, the Church Manual, and strategic planning sessions for global meetings.
Köhler is married to Adriene Marques, a registered nurse, and they have two children. The couple has traveled extensively, visiting and encouraging church members around the world. Their shared commitment to service and ministry has been a visible and inspiring model of Adventist leadership.
The Role of the General Conference President
As President of the General Conference, Köhler assumes the highest administrative office in the global Seventh-day Adventist Church. His role includes chairing the GC Executive Committee, guiding the church’s spiritual and strategic direction, and ensuring theological consistency. He works in close collaboration with division presidents, local field leaders, and institutional boards to unify the church’s mission in diverse cultural and political contexts.
The president also represents the church at major international and interfaith events, provides oversight to the worldwide network of Adventist institutions—including over 8,500 schools, 200 hospitals, and a robust media infrastructure—and encourages innovation in education, digital evangelism, and community service.
About the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Organized in 1863, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination with a distinctive emphasis on the imminent second coming of Christ, holistic health, education, and Sabbath observance. It operates one of the largest Protestant school systems in the world and is recognized for its humanitarian arm, ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), which responds to crises globally.
With more than 23 million baptized members and tens of thousands of congregations across every continent, the Adventist Church continues to pursue its mission: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ who live as His loving witnesses and proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of the Three Angels’ Messages in preparation for His soon return.”
As Erton C. Köhler steps into this new role of global leadership, the church community prays for God’s guidance over his service.
May God bless his leadership with good health, clear vision, and unwavering dedication to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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