Erton Köhler
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Erton Carlos Köhler | |
|---|---|
| 21st President of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists | |
 Köhler in 2025 | |
| Church | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| Diocese | General Conference |
| Installed | 4 July 2025 |
| Predecessor | Ted N. C. Wilson |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 19 June 1982 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Erton Carlos Köhler June 26, 1969 |
| Denomination | Seventh-day Adventist |
| Residence | Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S. |
| Spouse | Adriene Marques Köhler |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Adventist University Center of São Paulo, Andrews University |
| Motto | Faithful to the Mission |
| Part of a series on |
| Seventh-day Adventist Church |
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Erton Carlos Köhler (born June 26, 1969)[1][2] is a Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist pastor, theologian, and administrator serving as the President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the denomination’s highest office, since 4 July 2025.[3] He previously served as the General Conference’s Executive Secretary (2021–2025)[4][5] and as President of the South American Division (2007–2021). Köhler is the first South American to lead the global Adventist Church.[6][7]
Köhler was born in Caxias do Sul, Brazil in 1969 into a family with a strong Adventist heritage.[1][8] His father served as a church worker, which exposed him to ministry from an early age. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Adventist University Center of São Paulo in 1989 and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology in 2008.[4][9] Köhler later enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University in the United States.[4][9]
Church ministry and leadership
From 1990 to 1994, Köhler served as a district pastor in São Paulo, Brazil.[4][10] In 1995, he served as the Youth Ministries Director for the Rio Grande do Sul Conference and later as the Youth Ministries Director for the Northeast Brazilian Union in 1998.[4] In 2002, he became Executive secretary of the Rio Grande dol Sul Conference.[4] From 2003 to 2007, he was Youth Ministries Director for the South American Division.[4][11]
In 2007, at the age of 38, Köhler was elected President of the South American Division, making him one of the youngest leaders to hold the position.[12][13] During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth in membership and launched major evangelistic initiatives across eight countries.[14]
In April 2021, Köhler became the Executive Secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, coordinating global mission strategies and overseeing membership statistics.[9][15]
General Conference presidency
On 4 July 2025, Köhler was elected the 21st President of the General Conference during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri.[3][7] He succeeded Ted N. C. Wilson after global delegates voted 1,721 to 188, a 90.15% approval rating.[13]
