04/07/2025
Erton Köhler was elected president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists during the 62nd General Conference Session.
Born in southern Brazil, Köhler grew up with the desire to follow in the footsteps of his father, an Adventist pastor. He earned a bachelor's degree in theology from the Adventist Teaching Institute (now the Brazilian Adventist University) in 1989 and a master's degree in pastoral theology from the same university in 2008. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at 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 later Youth Ministries Director of the Northeast Brazil Union in 1998. In July 2002, Köhler returned to the Rio Grande do Sul Conference, where he had previously served, to become its Executive Secretary. The following year, he was elected Youth Ministries Director for the eight countries of the South American Division. After four years in that role, he became president of the South American Division in 2007.
Köhler is married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, and the couple has two children.
BREAKING NEWS: Erton Köhler has been elected as the new president of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church for the next five years by a vote of 1721 to 188.
Join us in prayer as he steps into this important mission of leadership and service.
