On March 25, 2026, the Parkarena Winterthur hosted the 125th Annual Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in German-speaking Switzerland.

The event, which coincided with the region's 125th anniversary, drew approximately 800 in-person attendees, 200 via livestream, and 400 children and youth. The proceedings featured multilingual simultaneous interpretation and specialized programming for younger participants.

Commemorating 125 years of history

The conference opened with a historical presentation led by Adventist pastor Fabian Looser Grönroos. Joined by former administrators, he reviewed the development of the Adventist Church in German-speaking Switzerland over the past 125 years, highlighting its early growth and mission.

During the divine service, Reinhard Schwab, president of the Austrian Union of Seventh-day Adventists, presented a message titled “From Trunk to Life – Why Being Right Is Not Enough.” Using the illustration of a tree, he outlined that a healthy church has roots, a trunk, and branches. He used these visuals to suggest that all churches should have a strong spiritual foundation based on biblical teachings, which involve active faith and mission.

The afternoon sessions featured Alexander Kampmann, vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany, who addressed three strategic pillars for the denomination's future.

He described discipleship as a process that develops over time through mentorship and shared experience. He also emphasized the importance of responsibility in fostering both personal and collective growth, and highlighted the need for churches to create new communities rather than only maintain existing structures.

Stephan Sigg, president of the Adventist Church in German-speaking Switzerland, concluded the presentations by encouraging members to remain focused on the hope of Christ’s return.

Cultural program concludes event

The anniversary celebration concluded with a musical program by the Zürich IV Angolan Adventist Church. The performance explored the theme of “home” through music and drama, reflecting both cultural identity and faith.

One highlight included a traditional yodeling piece prepared in collaboration with a professional yodeler, symbolizing the diversity within the church community.

The original article was published on the Adventistischer Pressedienst German news site, the Adventist Press Service.