Church administrators, leaders, and lay members from across the Inter-European Division (EUD) met in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from October 30 to November 2 for the division's 2026 Annual Council (formerly called Year End Meeting). The reports, votes, and discussions all primarily focused on All Things New, the public message of the global church's OneVoice27 initiative based on Revelation 21:5.
The General Conference (GC) was represented by general vice president Pierre E. Omeler; associate secretary Karen J. Porter; associate treasurer Josue Pierre; and Vyacheslav Damyan, Hope Channel International president and OneVoice27 liaison to the EUD.
Exuberant exiles
EUD president Barna Magyarosi opened EUD's Annual Council with a devotional on 1 Peter 2:9–12, built around identity, mission, and motivation. Christians are "aliens and exiles," he said, but they are also exuberant exiles, called to announce the excellencies of the One who called them. Those who follow the Bible will be both attractive and offensive to the world around them.
Jesus, Magyarosi noted, is the supreme example of an exile: He left home to come and save, motivated by his infinite love for humanity.
During the President's Report, Magyarosi described mission as a movement through attention, attraction, demonstration, and conviction. He called on leaders to personally approach mission across the territory. Mission starts, he said, by engaging with people, creating connection, and serving them.
The Secretariat Report reviewed administration and mission with a special focus on volunteers. The report noted that the global church has about 24 million members, 185,000 of whom reside in EUD's territory. Challenges of growth and aging membership were addressed. The report highlighted the opportunities young members have to share their faith on their personal digital platforms. The report closed with an appeal for personal and institutional involvement in mission across Europe.
Guidance for a complex time
During the EUD's Annual Council, the Executive Committee voted on two documents addressing rising societal challenges.
The first document is the EUD's Crisis Management Plan. The document calls for the development of a Crisis Management Committee and defines how the EUD prepares for, responds to, and recovers from emergencies.
The second document is titled Ethical and Deontological Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence. It offers guidelines for the territory built on seven principles: transparency; fairness, equity, and inclusion; reliability and doctrinal integrity; human relationships and presence; accountability; security and privacy; and sustainability and creation care. The Executive Committee was careful to highlight that this document is a guideline, not a church policy.
Departmental presentations described the strategic role of Chaplaincy Ministries as a bridge between the Adventist Church and the broader community, serving as a trusted presence in times of suffering. The Sabbath School department shared measures to raise church and Bible study attendance. Small Groups Ministries presented small groups as effective settings for mission, offering materials and training to help each of EUD's unions build national teams.
Time was allotted to discuss how to encourage every church member to be part of OneVoice27. Union reports focused on campaign plans and projects, highlighting new ideas and promising initiatives. Across the EUD territory, union emphasis is shifting from the internal OneVoice27 campaign to the "All Things New" external message.
Sabbath and news from the field
On October 31, Vyacheslav Damyan led the Sabbath vespers devotional, sharing OneVoice27 news from the field and the many opportunities for members to join the worldwide movement. Sabbath coincided with the Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) Convention. GC vice president Pierre Omeler preached on each member's personal role in mission, drawing on the vision, work, and experience of the apostle Paul's life of mission. The day closed with a choir concert.
Safeliz Publishing House presented Break Free, new high-quality material now available to fields worldwide. It supports a hybrid health project focused on whole-person lifestyle change, designed to reach beyond the Church.
Hope Media Europe introduced J+, a content aggregator that makes mission resources easier to find and share. Through the International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (AIDLR), the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department reported on the Toledo Conference and on The Deepest Freedom, AIDLR's video documentary that will be available in 2027.
Education, a key pillar of mission development in the EUD, reported a rising number of new schools and growing student numbers. Children's Ministries presented Alive in Jesus, the world Church's new Sabbath school curriculum. Centered on Jesus, it offers practical content and ideas for every age, including a new feature for babies and teenagers.
Youth Ministries reported on the European Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, Spain, under the theme "Made for More." Nearly 3,500 young people took part, and 21 were baptized. The department also announced "Deep Calling" as the 2027 Week of Prayer theme.
Collonges Adventist University reported a focus on students' growth. They also expressed support for the world Church's increase in French language content.
Friedensau Adventist University introduced its new rector, Gerald A. Klingbeil.
Faithfulness that moves mission
EUD treasurer Norbert Zens based his report on 2 Corinthians 8:21: "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (KJV).
Implementing and supporting OneVoice27, 6 million euros have been allocated for mission in the territory, supporting local church projects, the unions' Digital Strategy for Mission, and institutional initiatives. The report valued the faithfulness of church members in tithes and offerings, noting significant growth in offerings.
Zens expressed his gratitude to God and to church members whose trust keeps the Church's mission moving. He voiced confidence in God's blessing to meet the 2027 budget.
GC associate treasurer Josue Pierre highlighted the EUD's financial and resource contributions to the world Church's mission and commended Zens for his personal commitment and pertinence in his role within the EUD and beyond.
Magyarosi closed the council with 2 Chronicles 15:7: “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (KJV). Written in difficult times like our own, he said, these words still bring encouragement, and he invited leaders to go home without letting their hands grow weak, because there is much still to do and there is reward in working faithfully for Jesus.
The original article was published on the Inter-European Division news site.
