The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026. With the slogan Mut für morgen (Courage for Tomorrow), the Adventist Church aims to emphasize its hopeful focus on the future, leaders said.

According to a statement regarding the church's anniversary, the denomination intends to remember the experiences that shaped its beginnings and to draw on those foundations as it looks ahead.

Three guiding themes: Bible, Commitment, Innovation

The anniversary will emphasize three guiding themes: the Bible, commitment, and innovation. Based on their understanding of Scripture, Seventh-day Adventists—like other Christians—affirm belief in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Adventists also emphasize devotion and faithfulness to God and observe the biblical Sabbath.

Church leaders said the anniversary will also highlight Adventist social commitment, including long-standing work in health, education, and social services. Historically, Adventists in Germany have introduced innovative approaches to ministry and community engagement, and the church said it plans to continue fostering new ideas to strengthen its work in a modern context.

First Adventist congregations in Solingen and Vohwinkel

The first Adventist baptism in Germany took place on January 8, 1876, between Solingen and Vohwinkel. That same year, the first two Adventist congregations were established in Solingen and in Vohwinkel, now a district of Wuppertal. In the church’s early development, small groups of believers played a key role, often growing into organized congregations.

Today, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany reports more than 34,000 baptized adult members worshiping in 560 congregations. Church leaders noted that in recent years, many members have also rediscovered the value of small groups for spiritual growth and social connection within local churches.

The original article was published on the APD German news site, Adventistischer Pressedienst.