On 12 February 2014 Dr Bertil Wiklander, President of the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (TED), informed the Union Presidents and Division Office staff that he is planning to retire as of 31 July this year.
Dr Wiklander announced his decision at the staff devotional on Wednesday morning during two days of leadership training for union presidents. Appreciation for his service was expressed by the staff through the Executive Secretary, Audrey Andersson, and by Sandra Grice, General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS) Associate Director.
‘I have enjoyed my work and the many people I have come to know in various parts of the Division, and I will leave my responsibility with much gratitude to God and my colleagues. I will greatly miss the fellowship and friendship within our office, which I think is something very unique and precious. May God bless you all and his work in this part of the world,’ said Dr Wiklander.
In a brief statement, he continued: ‘In July this year I will have served the Division for nineteen years and in September I will have reached an age that is well beyond pension age. I am grateful to God for the blessings I have received, the many things I have learnt, and especially for the wonderful team I have had around me in the Division Office and in the unions and other fields within the Division. It is good for me to be able to spend more time with my family, and there are some interesting book projects and biblical research that I want to attend to in my retirement. I have talked to Elder Ted Wilson at the General Conference about this, and he will care for the process of electing a successor.’
Prior to coming to the TED, Dr Wiklander served in his native Sweden as Principal of Ekebyholm School, Union Executive Secretary and President.
Over the past 19 years Dr Wiklander has exhibited outstanding leadership. His passion, enthusiasm and commitment to the mission of the church and making God known in the challenging secular environment of many of the TED countries has inspired leaders at all levels of the church. He has the rare ability to combine a keen academic intellect with the practical insightfulness necessary to be a successful administrator.
During his term of office at the TED there have been two realignments of territory. Dr Wiklander has provided stability of leadership during the transitions and helped the Division to redefine its vision and purpose, keeping the focus on the Mission of God.
It was appropriate that the announcement came during leadership training for the union presidents as Dr Wiklander is a keen advocate of growing leaders and providing opportunities for people to try new ideas and to grow.
At this point in time it is difficult to envisage the TED without Dr Wiklander. We wish him and his family God’s richest blessings as they transition to a new phase of life. We ask for your prayers for God’s guidance as Elder Wilson leads the process to elect a new president for the Division. [tedNEWS]
