By Edward Dankwah
Accra, July 7, GNA – Pastor Erton C. Köhler, the President of the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has called on more than 4,000 pastors and their spouses from across West and Central Africa, to boldly proclaim the everlasting gospel and the Three Angels’ Messages.
He described the mission of the church as too urgent to be delayed by fear, compromise, or complacency.
A statement made available to the Ghana News Agency, said Pastor Köhler was addressing participants at the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) Ministerial Summit and Leadership Conference at Babcock University in Nigeria.
Among the delegates at the summit was a high-level Ghanaian delegation comprising Pastor Col. (Rtd) Peter Kwabena Nyarko Duodu, President of the South East Ghana Union Mission (SEGUM), Tema, and Pastor Adeefe Kwakye Yaw, President of the South West Ghana Union Conference (SWGUC) Osu, Accra.
The others were Pastor Jonathan Owusu, the President of the Mid-Ghana Union Conference (MGUC), Kumasi, and Pastor Dr. Edward Nyarko, President of the North-Central Ghana Union Mission (NCGUM), Techiman.
Pastor Köhler urged ministers of the Gospel to remain unwavering in their commitment to Scripture and to faithfully prepare the world for the soon return of Jesus Christ.
His message, themed: “Called to Be Bold,” was drawn from Revelation 14:6–12 and focused on the church’s prophetic mission to share God’s final message of hope, truth and salvation with the world.
He emphasised that pastors and church leaders must courageously proclaim biblical truth regardless of the challenges confronting the church and society.
The General Conference President encouraged ministers to continually point people to Jesus Christ as humanity’s only hope and to rely completely on the Holy Spirit in fulfilling their calling.
Pastor Köhler highlighted the role of pastors’ spouses in advancing the mission of the church, noting that ministry was most effective when pastoral families served together as examples of faith, unity and commitment.
He said strong pastoral homes strengthened local congregations, nurtured disciples and provided a powerful witness that extended beyond the walls of the church into surrounding communities.
Pastor Köhler reminded participants that the Seventh-day Adventist Church had been entrusted with a unique end-time message, calling on church leaders to remain faithful to that responsibility.
He said the proclamation of the Three Angels’ Messages must remain at the heart of the church’s evangelistic efforts as it sought to reach every nation, tribe, language and people before Christ’s return.
The address resonated strongly with the more than 4,000 pastors and ministry spouses representing the 22 countries of the West-Central Africa Division.
The conference also witnessed the official launch of the One Voice 27 initiative; a major evangelistic campaign aimed at uniting Adventists across the Division in proclaiming one gospel message with one purpose.
The initiative was launched by Pastor Köhler alongside General Conference executives, Division leaders and the four Union Presidents.
Delegates from across the Division echoed commitment by encouraging one another in their various local dialects to embrace the initiative, symbolizing the rich cultural diversity of the region while affirming their shared purpose of advancing God’s kingdom.
Earlier, Pastor Köhler had received a warm welcome upon his arrival at Babcock University from church leaders, administrators and delegates from across the West-Central Africa Division, demonstrating the spirit of unity and fellowship that characterized the Adventist Church throughout the region.
He was officially welcomed by the President of the West-Central Africa Division, Pastor Bassey Effong Okon Udoh, together with members of the Division Executive Committee, Union and Conference Presidents, institutional leaders and administrators from across the Division.
Hosted at Babcock University, the Ministerial Summit and Leadership Conference brought together pastors, ministry spouses and church administrators for several days of worship, spiritual renewal, leadership development and ministry training.
The gathering reaffirmed the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s commitment to strengthening pastoral leadership, equipping ministers for effective service and advancing its global mission of proclaiming the everlasting gospel in preparation for the soon return of Jesus Christ.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo