From Florence to Rome, believers received a powerful encouragement to serve as voices of hope—each utilizing their unique talents—and to place their trust in the God of the impossible. This central message was delivered to Italian communities by the leaders of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church and the Inter-European Division (EUD) during a landmark pastoral visit.
While many traditional certainties appear to have dissolved in contemporary society, the fundamental human need for meaning remains undiminished. Even within the meta-modernist era, the thirst for purpose and a cause worth living for continues to burn brightly, particularly among younger generations. This dynamic set the tone for an impactful weekend of celebration for the church in Italy, embraced by a global faith family united across diverse cultures by a shared hope and commitment to mission.
On Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, Pastor Erton C. Köhler, president of the General Conference (GC) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, and Barna Magyarosi, president of the Inter-European Division (EUD), traveled to Italy for a series of high-profile engagements in Florence and Rome.
A Historic Milestone in Florence
The leadership tour began on Friday in Florence, where the two church administrators greeted the local community and addressed the inauguration of the 2026–27 academic year at the Adventist University Institute (IAU) – “Villa Aurora”, located at 8 Via Ellen Gould White.
Reflecting on the denomination's heritage, IAU Director Pastor Davide Romano traced the historical path forged by early pioneers. "Italy is that special place where the first Seventh-day Adventist arrived in 1864: the pope's land. We have come a long way since then," Romano noted. Alongside Rome, Naples, and Venice, Florence stands as a foundational site for Italian evangelism. Romano also underscored the legacy of the "Villa Aurora" campus, which is set to celebrate its 80th anniversary next year.
A Worldwide Network of Students
Addressing students and faculty, GC President Köhler emphasized their connection to a vast, multi-faceted global network. Noting his inaugural visit to the IAU, he highlighted that the institution belongs to an international community comprising over 10,000 Adventist educational institutions and approximately 2.5 million students.
Köhler underscored the broader global footprint of the Church, which spans 212 countries with more than 24 million members gathering weekly in roughly 185,000 places of worship. "The church in Florence belongs to this great family," he declared, expressing gratitude to the students, volunteers, and leaders while wishing the campus an academic year firmly anchored in Scripture and mission.
Digital Discipleship and the Gospel on Social Media
Directing his remarks to the younger generation, Pastor Köhler issued a missionary challenge tied to digital media and the OneVoice27 project—an initiative running through the fall of 2027 to mark the bimillennium of Jesus' baptism in 27 AD.
"Each of you holds something special in your hands: a mobile phone. It can be an instrument of hatred or mission, a weapon or a blessing."
He urged youth to utilize social media and digital technologies as proactive tools for sharing hope and the gospel. The visit concluded with token exchanges, including a traditional Florentine seal and parchment presented by Pastor Nino Plano to honor the city's rich history.
Fellowship and Faith in Rome
The leadership team continued their itinerary on Saturday, September 19, at the Piazza Vulture church in Rome. The vibrant worship service brought together believers from across Italy, alongside a broad digital audience participating via the official YouTube livestream of the Italian church.
Musical performances by local choirs, soloists, and youth from the Italian Adventist Pathfinders Association (AISA) cultivated a warm, reflective spiritual atmosphere. The Sabbath School study focused on Lesson 12, "False Teachers", based on Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Mariarosa Cavalieri, director of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department of the Italian Union (UICCA), led a dynamic plenary discussion alongside intern pastor Elisa Ghiuzan, UICCA Secretary Ignazio Barbuscia, and EUD President Barna Magyarosi. Leveraging QR-code technology, attendees actively contributed real-time questions and reflections.
The worship service also highlighted the expansive administrative scope of the EUD, encompassing 20 countries, 18 languages, and 2,518 churches across a region home to over 340 million people. Leadership figures from the host church, the Central Field, and the UICCA participated in the liturgy, reinforcing a message of unity in diversity delivered by UICCA President Andrei Crețu: "Many languages, many stories, but a single focus: sharing the love of Jesus and the hope of His return."
Pathfinders in the Spotlight and the Power of "Holy Devices"
Delivering the morning sermon, Pastor Köhler established an immediate, empathetic connection with the congregation by sharing his personal affection for Italy, noting family roots, past vacations, and milestone celebrations in the country.
Coinciding with World Pathfinder Day on September 19, Köhler drew upon his own background as a former pathfinder and youth ministry leader to honor the global network of two million Adventist pathfinders. In a symbolic gesture, he unfurled a purple OneVoice27 neckerchief and presented it to young AISA representative Mihai Serbu. In return, Mihai presented Köhler with a Pathfinder neckerchief, which the GC president immediately donned while referencing 2 Corinthians 5:14: "For Christ's love compels us."
Do We Believe in Miracles?
Centering his message on Acts 19:11—"God did extraordinary miracles through Paul"—Köhler challenged the congregation to recognize that divine power operates today just as it did in antiquity, working directly through human hands, ideas, and dedication.
Revisiting the theme of digital evangelism, Köhler reframed smartphones as "holy devices" dedicated to the service of hope. In a striking visual moment, he invited the congregation to illuminate their phone flashlights, turning the auditorium into a sea of small lights. The demonstration vividly embodied the ethos of the OneVoice27 project: encouraging every believer to reflect Christ's love according to their unique talents rather than conforming to a single voice.
A Testimony of Resilience from Africa
To emphasize the urgency of global outreach, Köhler shared an extraordinary account from one of the 23 nations where the Adventist Church lacks official legal recognition.
Operating under severe restrictions, a non-formal missionary couple residing in the country quietly lived out their faith. Over time, they connected with around ten local believers. Needing an interpreter, they enlisted a young man who had previously encountered the Adventist Church abroad. Upon returning home, he began offering Bible courses to a group of 24 individuals, ultimately sparking the creation of a thriving faith community marked by numerous baptisms.
"Though living in the shadows, these men and women are a light of joy and hope that concretely testifies to Christ's love," Köhler remarked. "Mission continues to be an authentic miracle of God always at work in the world. If we do not share the gospel, it is as if we are hiding the medicine from the patient."
The morning service concluded with a deeply moving rendition of the musical piece “Holy City”, performed by the Piazza Vulture choir and lyric mezzo-soprano Irida Dragoti. The weekend program extended into the afternoon with dedicated praise, presentations of Italian Union missionary projects, and interactive panel discussions addressing the future of global church ministry.
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