4 Jul 2025, 21:33BUC Communications
Erton C. Köhler Elected as General Conference President
Erton C. Köhler, newly elected President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, made a passionate appeal for unity and collective mission in his acceptance speech, declaring, “It’s time to move forward together… Our mission will be accomplished when we are together.”
Prior to this appointment, Köhler served as Secretary of the General Conference—one of the three executive officers of the world church—since April 2021, succeeding G.T. Ng upon his retirement.
Born in southern Brazil, Köhler is a second-generation pastor who followed in his father's footsteps. He earned both his bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in pastoral theology from the Adventist Teaching Institute, now Brazilian Adventist University.
Köhler’s ministry began in 1990 as a local church pastor in São Paulo. His leadership journey expanded significantly through various roles in Youth Ministries at conference and union levels, including the Rio Grande do Sul Conference and the Northeast Brazilian Union. His dynamic leadership led to his appointment as Youth Ministries Director for the South American Division in 2003, overseeing youth work across eight countries.
In 2007, at just 38 years old, he became the President of the South American Division, the youngest person to hold that role at the time. His presidency was marked by strong emphasis on mission, evangelism, and nurturing leadership development.
As Secretary of the General Conference, Köhler provided oversight to key departments, including the Office of Adventist Mission, the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, and the Institute of World Mission. He was responsible for preparing agendas for major church business sessions, documenting proceedings, and helping guide the development and review of global church policies.
Köhler has been married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, for 33 years. Together they have two children. Throughout his ministry, Köhler has remained committed to unity, mission, and the model of ministry exemplified by Christ—reaching people through compassion, service, and discipleship.
His election signals a renewed focus on collective purpose and global mission, calling the church to move forward in faith—together.
Erton C. Köhler, newly elected President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, made a passionate appeal for unity and collective mission in his acceptance speech, declaring, “It’s time to move forward together… Our mission will be accomplished when we are together.”
Prior to this appointment, Köhler served as Secretary of the General Conference—one of the three executive officers of the world church—since April 2021, succeeding G.T. Ng upon his retirement.
Born in southern Brazil, Köhler is a second-generation pastor who followed in his father's footsteps. He earned both his bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in pastoral theology from the Adventist Teaching Institute, now Brazilian Adventist University.
Köhler’s ministry began in 1990 as a local church pastor in São Paulo. His leadership journey expanded significantly through various roles in Youth Ministries at conference and union levels, including the Rio Grande do Sul Conference and the Northeast Brazilian Union. His dynamic leadership led to his appointment as Youth Ministries Director for the South American Division in 2003, overseeing youth work across eight countries.
In 2007, at just 38 years old, he became the President of the South American Division, the youngest person to hold that role at the time. His presidency was marked by strong emphasis on mission, evangelism, and nurturing leadership development.
As Secretary of the General Conference, Köhler provided oversight to key departments, including the Office of Adventist Mission, the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, and the Institute of World Mission. He was responsible for preparing agendas for major church business sessions, documenting proceedings, and helping guide the development and review of global church policies.
Köhler has been married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, for 33 years. Together they have two children. Throughout his ministry, Köhler has remained committed to unity, mission, and the model of ministry exemplified by Christ—reaching people through compassion, service, and discipleship.
His election signals a renewed focus on collective purpose and global mission, calling the church to move forward in faith—together.
