Erton C. Köhler was elected to the office of the president of the General Conference (GC) on July 4, 2025, during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri.
Köhler’s election marks the beginning of his first term as the spiritual and administrative leader of a worldwide movement that spans more than 200 countries and includes more than 23 million members.
"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.
The nomination came to the floor after prayerful deliberation by the Nominating Committee, composed of delegates from each of the church’s global divisions and attached fields. The committee’s recommendation was then presented to the delegates in attendance, who voted to confirm Köhler’s nomination during the business session at the Dome in America’s Center.
Mobilizing the Church for the Unreached
Since his election to the position of GC secretary during the 2021 Spring Meeting held at the church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, Köhler has championed a bold and prophetic call for 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 everything, Mission Refocus is a call for integration.”
Through Mission Refocus, Köhler has led the Adventist Church in identifying and adopting 30 high-priority mission areas, including ten countries, ten major urban centers, and ten unreached people groups from the 10/40 Window, urban regions, and secular territories. In his vision, every church entity, regardless of size or location, is invited to participate in a global culture of collaboration, service, and mission accountability.
With his new role as GC president, Köhler is expected to continue advancing this mission-driven framework, mobilizing members to become disciple-makers, aligning church operations with frontline ministry, and strengthening the church’s prophetic voice in a rapidly changing world.
A Life Anchored in Ministry
Born in southern Brazil, Köhler grew up with a desire to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served as an Adventist pastor. He completed a bachelor’s degree in theology at the Adventist Teaching Institute (now Brazilian Adventist University) in 1989 and graduated from the same school in 2008 with a master’s degree in pastoral theology. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University.
From 1990 to 1994, Köhler served as a local church pastor in São Paulo. He was then elected Youth Ministries director of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference in 1995, and in 1998 became the Youth Ministries director of the Northeast Brazil Union. In July 2002, Köhler returned to the Rio Grande do Sul Conference to serve as conference secretary. The following year he was elected Youth Ministries director for the eight countries comprising the South American Division (SAD). After serving for four years as youth director, he became the SAD president in 2007.
In April 2021, Köhler was elected as GC secretary, one of the three executive officers of the church. In this role, he advised the Office of Adventist Mission, the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, and the Institute of World Mission. His office was responsible for preparing agenda items for major business meetings and committees, recording meeting minutes, and coordinating the development and review of church working policy and the Church Manual.
Köhler is married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, and the couple has two children. Together, they have been actively involved in ministry, supporting and serving alongside each other as they visit members around the world.
The Role of the GC President
As GC President, Köhler serves as the administrative leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, helping to shape strategic vision, provide doctrinal clarity, and unify diverse regions around shared mission. He chairs the GC Executive Committee, several boards, and collaborates closely with regional leadership, representing the church at major international events.
The president also plays a key role in encouraging global mission initiatives, ensuring the consistency of Adventist teaching, and strengthening the church’s education, health, and media institutions.
About the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been a global Protestant denomination since 1863, with over 23 million members worldwide. The church holds the Bible as its ultimate authority and seeks to help people find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.