On July 4, 2025, during the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session in St. Louis, Missouri, Erton C. Köhler was elected president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
This marks the beginning of Köhler’s first term as the spiritual and administrative leader of a global movement that spans over 200 countries and includes more than 23 million members.
“Before anything else, I want to say that I move forward with renewed confidence in the Lord and in His church,” Köhler said.
His nomination followed careful and prayerful deliberation by the Nominating Committee, made up of delegates from every global division and attached field of the church. The committee’s recommendation was then presented to the full body of delegates, who voted to confirm Köhler’s appointment during a business session at the Dome in America’s Center.
Since his election as General Conference (GC) secretary during the 2021 Spring Meeting at church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, Erton C. Köhler has been a leading voice in calling the global church to refocus its mission. Under his leadership, the church launched the Mission Refocus initiative.
“Mission Refocus is a project … an initiative, a movement,” Köhler said. “But more than anything, it’s a call for integration.”
Through this initiative, Köhler has guided the Adventist Church in identifying and prioritizing 30 key mission areas—ten countries, ten major cities, and ten unreached people groups—across the 10/40 Window, urban centers, and secular regions. His vision calls every church entity, regardless of size or location, to join a global culture of collaboration, service, and mission accountability.
Now, as GC president, Köhler is expected to continue championing this mission-centered approach—mobilizing members as disciple-makers, aligning church structure with frontline ministry, and strengthening the church’s prophetic voice amid a rapidly changing world.
Born in southern Brazil, Erton C. Köhler was inspired by his father, an Adventist pastor, to pursue ministry. He earned a theology degree from the Adventist Teaching Institute (now Brazilian Adventist University) in 1989 and later completed a master’s in pastoral theology there in 2008. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University.
Köhler began his ministry as a pastor in São Paulo (1990–1994), then served as Youth Ministries director in both the Rio Grande do Sul Conference and the Northeast Brazil Union. In 2002, he returned to Rio Grande do Sul as conference secretary, and in 2003, became Youth Ministries director for the South American Division (SAD). In 2007, he was elected SAD president.
In April 2021, Köhler became General Conference secretary, one of the church’s three top officers. In this role, he supported global mission efforts, oversaw administrative functions, and helped guide church policy and governance.
He is married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, and they have two children. Together, they actively serve the church, often traveling and ministering as a family.
As General Conference (GC) president, Erton C. Köhler serves as the administrative leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, guiding strategic vision, fostering doctrinal unity, and bringing together diverse regions around a common mission. He chairs the GC Executive Committee and several boards, working closely with regional leaders and representing the church at major international events.
Köhler also plays a vital role in promoting global mission, maintaining the integrity of Adventist beliefs, and supporting the church’s education, health, and media institutions.
Reacting to the announcement, Kyoshin Ahn, NAD executive secretary, said, “Erton Köhler is a mission-focused leader. His approach will help advance the gospel with renewed urgency.”
North American Division president G. Alexander Bryant added, “Elder Köhler steps into leadership at a critical time in history. He is experienced, deeply committed to mission, and his integrated approach aligns well with our focus of 'Together in Mission.' Let’s keep him and his family in prayer as they take on this great responsibility.”
The GC president election is the session’s first major officer vote, with additional confirmations, including division officers, expected in the coming days.
For updates, visit nadadventist.org and adventist.news.
Source for this article and photo: Erton C. Köhler Elected as General Conference President | North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists
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