South American Division

Ted Wilson Joins 100 Year Celebration of Adventism in Brazilian State

Adventists celebrate the reopening of the Central Adventist Church of Vitória in Espírito Santo.

February 13, 2025

Brazil

Ayanne Karoline, South American Division, and ANN

Reopening ceremony of the central Adventist Church in Vitória.

[Photo: CDM AES]

The Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated 100 years of presence in Espírito Santo, Brazil, on February 9, 2025.

The celebration was marked by the reopening of the Central Adventist Church in Vitória, which underwent significant renovations and can now accommodate more than 800 people. It is located in the territory of the Southeast Brazilian Union (USeB), the administrative headquarters of the Church for the states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.

The event was attended by Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide, as well as other church authorities and government representatives, such as the State Governor, Renato Casagrande. The program included moments of praise with musical groups and tributes to the pioneers.

"I hope that every person in this wonderful state, Espírito Santo, and throughout Brazil, can be part of this ministry of Christ, which cares for people physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Our great hope, however, is in the soon return of Jesus. May His justice, His grace, and His love be shared with people around the world through those who serve and demonstrate the love of Christ," said Wilson.

Ecclesiastical authorities present were introduced to those who attended the ceremony

Stanley Arco, president of the South American Division, also participated in the reopening and highlighted the growth of the denomination, which has provided opportunities for salvation for many people.

“Last year, we reached 2.7 million members in our territory. Growth is solid and continuous in all churches. We notice that congregations are getting closer to people. We have smaller churches in neighborhoods that are essential to their communities, and larger temples, such as the Central Church in Vitória, that have a significant impact on the surrounding area. Our desire is for these spaces to be a light for the local community, for Brazil, and for the world,” he emphasized.

Making History

The church was filled with members and guests who were part of the church's history.

Siblings Renato and Patrícia Milholi have been following the journey of the Central Church of Vitória for 50 years and have been present during all of its major transformations. During the reconstruction of the temple, they actively participated, overseeing the construction work, organizing community outreach, and witnessing how God met every need.

“Seeing the temple full, hearing the congregation’s praises, and feeling the atmosphere filled with prayers, the feeling of the church was renewed. It was the same feeling I always had when I entered the little church on Graciano Neves: the certainty of God’s presence. This feeling will accompany us in this new phase of the central church in Vitória,” said Renato.

"In addition to attending church, since I was a baby, I studied at the Adventist School that operated in Graciano Neves and participated in its historical moments, such as the inauguration of the central church in Bento Ferreira. Now, at the reopening, I had the joy of receiving the members singing 'He Is Exalted', as we did in the past," recalled Milholi.

The Story of the Centenary

The Adventist message arrived in Espírito Santo in 1895, brought by missionary Alberto Stauffer. With dedication and courage, he shared the faith through literature evangelism. He shared the book The Great Controversy, reaching the first families in Córrego de Santa Maria de Jetibá. In December of that year, Huldreich Graff, a pastor, baptized 23 people, founding the first Adventist church in the state.

View of the city of Vitóra in 1920.

In Vitória, the first steps of the Adventist Church took place in 1919, with the arrival of Pastor John Boehm and colporteurs Paulo Schultz and Júlia Apolinário. The first meetings were simple, some even held under the shade of a tree in Vila Velha, in the metropolitan region. In the 1920s, the first Adventists began to meet regularly, consolidating the Adventist presence in the capital.

“The gospel was spread through the first churches, like this one here in Vitória, 100 years ago. Today, we have an Adventist presence in all the cities of Espírito Santo. This city deserved a renovated, modern and spacious church. In addition, it is located close to Rádio Novo Tempo and the open TV channel Novo Tempo, which makes it easier for new interested parties to contact the Church. With an even larger and more structured space, we believe that we will be able to contribute even more to hasten the return of Jesus,” said Hiram Kalbermatter, president of the Adventist Church for the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais.

The Adventist Church in the World

Present in 212 countries and with more than 22 million members, the Adventist Church manages one of the largest educational and health networks in the world operated by a religious institution. There are more than 10,000 schools and 244 hospitals, in addition to thousands of clinics and community centers focused on the integral well-being of people.

Wilson's visit to Espírito Santo reinforces the Adventist Church's commitment to the spiritual and social development of the communities in which it operates. The event is also open to the press and will be an opportunity to learn more about the denomination's positive impact in the region.