Barely hours after delegates at the 62nd General Conference Session voted him in as president of the Inter-European Division (EUD), Pastor Barna Magyarosi sat down with ANN/EUD News to talk about the road ahead, the weight of leadership, and the personal convictions that drive his ministry.
Reporter: Pastor Magyarosi, what ran through your mind when the election result was announced?
EUD President: The burden felt heavier than I expected. This calling carries immense responsibility, so my very first prayer was for God’s daily presence, guidance, and sustaining grace.
Reporter: How do you feel stepping into this role today?
EUD President: Overwhelmed and deeply challenged. Every morning I sense the need to kneel even more in prayer for strength and wisdom.
Reporter: Which priorities will shape your new mandate?
EUD President: I want the Division to pivot toward four connected areas.
Mission. First of all, it’s, of course, mission through church planting, small-group activities, and all kinds of other creative ways of reaching out to the people around us.
Health. I believe that health ministries are, as time passes, the last resort we have and the only possibility to reach the people we want to bring the gospel to. We would like to place an emphasis on establishing prevention centers and lifestyle centers.
Education. Another area of emphasis is education. We think that our schools can be centers of influence.
Digital media. Finally, a fourth area of emphasis is using media, especially digital technology to put content out for people, but also to receive content and share it with others, making every Adventist school, from kindergarten to university, a center of influence.
Reporter: Europe is changing fast. What challenges and opportunities do you see ahead?
EUD President: Rapid secularization and shifting demographics can feel daunting, yet every social upheaval opens doors for compassionate service. If we follow Christ’s method of mingling, sympathizing, meeting needs every challenge becomes a mission opportunity.
Reporter: What strategies will you propose to meet the challenge of secularization?
EUD President: Like Daniel in Babylon, we must learn society’s language, engage in networks, build friendships, yet draw a clear line of faithfulness. Living among people and serving them makes us the salt of society.
Reporter: The EUD spans 20 countries and 18 languages. How can that diversity serve the mission?
EUD President: Diversity is an asset, never a liability. Different cultures show us fresh ways of living out the same biblical values. When we exchange ideas rather than export uniform solutions, we discover approaches that function in multiple contexts and we grow together.
Reporter: You have spent much of your career in education. How will that background influence your administration?
EUD President: Sabbath School is education, evangelism is education, discipleship is education. Institutional schools matter, yet every local church is also a classroom where Scripture is studied and character is formed. An educator’s lens helps me see systems, outcomes, and the lifelong journey of faith.
Reporter: What is the future of our Adventist Schools?
EUD President: For pastoral bachelor studies we still need several small seminaries because language is vital. My vision is a single Division-wide master’s program where all theology students study together, network, and learn each other’s cultures. The agreement exists, now we must honor it or risk every union struggling alone.
Reporter: Our readers enjoy getting to know leaders personally. Could you share a snapshot of life outside the office?
EUD President: I was born in Transylvania in a Hungarian-speaking community and grew up bilingual in Hungarian and Romanian. My wife, Noémi-Laura, is my steadfast partner. We have an adult daughter, Blanka, who is married. Off duty you will find me absorbed in a book, swimming, playing table tennis, or hiking near water anything that keeps both mind and body active.
Reporter: How will you balance linguistic and cultural diversity while maintaining unity in mission?
EUD President: Unity rests on our shared beliefs, values, and mission. With that core secure, diversity is a blessing. We must respect one another’s choices and allow varied worship styles and outreach methods.
Reporter: You recently visited Bulgaria and Portugal. What impressions did you bring back?
EUD President: Bulgaria is richly varied; I loved its music and informal worship. Portugal feels like home; its congenial spirit reminds me of Romania. Both countries face the challenge and opportunity of integrating diverse worship styles within a united church family.
Reporter: A closing message for members across the EUD territory?
EUD President: I believe we are a sleeping giant. Many of us have grown comfortable as spiritual consumers, yet prophecy’s clock is ticking. God calls every member to wake up and put personal gifts to work for others. If each believer prayerfully asks, “Lord, how can I serve today?” our Division will become an unstoppable movement of hope.
