Adventist Church Elects Pastor Erton C. Köhler as New General Conference President
Published | 4 July 2025
The global Seventh-day Adventist Church has elected Pastor Erton C. Köhler as its new General Conference (GC) President, succeeding Pastor Ted N. C. Wilson, who faithfully...
The global Seventh-day Adventist Church has elected Pastor Erton C. Köhler as its new General Conference (GC) President, succeeding Pastor Ted N. C. Wilson, who faithfully led the world church for nearly 15 years. Pastor Köhler, well-known throughout the Adventist global community for his dynamic leadership, pastoral spirit, and deep commitment to mission, accepted the call with humility and resolve. In his first official statement following the election, Köhler said, “I accept this great responsibility not in my own strength but by God’s grace. Let us move forward united in prayer, purpose, and proclamation.”
Born in southern Brazil, Pastor Köhler’s journey in ministry began with theological training at the Adventist Teaching Institute—now known as Brazilian Adventist University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in theology in 1989. He continued his academic pursuit with a master’s degree in pastoral theology in 2008 and is currently completing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Andrews University.
Köhler’s ministerial career began in São Paulo, where he served as a local church pastor from 1990 to 1994. His passion for youth ministry soon propelled him into leadership roles across Brazil and the broader South American territory. He was appointed Youth Ministries Director for the Rio Grande do Sul Conference in 1995, and three years later, for the Northeast Brazil Union.
By 2002, he returned to Rio Grande do Sul as Conference Secretary, before being appointed Youth Ministries Director for the South American Division (SAD). In 2007, at the age of 35, he became SAD President, a role in which he demonstrated strong organisational vision and evangelistic fervour. In April 2021, Pastor Köhler was elected GC Secretary, one of the three executive officers of the global Adventist Church. Over the last four years, he has helped lead the church through post-pandemic transitions, international expansion initiatives, and digital evangelism acceleration.
The election of Pastor Köhler comes at a pivotal moment for the denomination. With nearly 22 million members worldwide, the Seventh-day Adventist Church faces both unprecedented opportunities and sobering challenges: cultural secularism, shifting mission fields, generational engagement, and digital disruption.
Köhler’s multicultural fluency, youth-centred leadership roots, and administrative expertise are seen as key assets in navigating the future. Delegates and observers at #GCSession25 expressed optimism that the new president brings a blend of continuity and forward momentum.
As the global Adventist community reflects on this leadership transition, members are being called to continued prayerful support. Köhler’s role carries immense spiritual and organizational weight, guiding strategic initiatives across education, healthcare, evangelism, and humanitarian missions in over 200 countries and territories.
In his closing remarks following the vote, Köhler stated, “This is not a position of power but of service. Let us stay focused on our prophetic identity, rooted in the Word, and mobilized by mission. The work ahead is great, but God is greater.”
As Pastor Köhler assumes the highest administrative role in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the global membership joins in intercession and solidarity, anticipating how God will lead His people under this new leadership era.
