Speaking to an audience of nearly 2,000 people at Mission: Maranatha, Maranatha Volunteers International’s convention, on September 20, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Erton Köhler called for everyone to take part in missions.
“The mission is a miracle. We can’t prepare everything. We can’t anticipate everything. The Lord calls us to move forward by faith. And today, at the end of this message, I would like to invite you, to call you, to renew your commitment to the Lord and to be part of this miracle…” he said, in an energetic sermon. “You can be part of this miracle as one of the volunteers serving with Maranatha or any other supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
Köhler, who was elected into his new role in July 2025, was the featured speaker for the annual event, which focuses on the current needs in the mission field along with stories of transformation through service. In his speech, Köhler emphasized the vision to have the Adventist Church “grounded in the Bible, in the spirit of prophecy, and focused on the mission,” a call to share Bible truths, including the gospel, with the world.
In addition to his presentation on Sabbath, Köhler earlier participated in an interview on Maranatha Mission Stories, a half-hour television show highlighting stories from the mission field. During the hour-long conversation, Köhler spoke on the various mission programs he has overseen during his career, from his time as president of the South American Division to the “Mission Refocus” initiative he launched while the executive secretary of the General Conference. He also spoke on how Maranatha delivers critical support to the Adventist Church as not only a provider of infrastructure, but also opportunities to serve.
The convention also featured several Adventist Church leaders from around the world, including Cuba and India. Teofilio Silvestre, president of the Dominican Union Conference, where Maranatha worked on 24 projects this year, brought eight leaders of various conferences and unions in the country in a show of gratitude for the impact of Maranatha’s work.
Along with reports from Maranatha’s own country directors, the program welcomed heartfelt testimonies from volunteers and donors. Helen Bautista joined Maranatha’s annual volunteer project for teenagers, called Ultimate Workout, and described how the trip impacted her decision to follow Christ. “I no longer had to worry about what I was going through or the things that were just marking such a big territory in my personality. I could now erase them. I decided to dedicate my life to God after that day.”
Volunteer Chris Guarin-Adap spoke about going on Marantha’s Family Projects. While it is an experience that requires quite a bit of financial planning, the results have been life-changing for her family of five. “These mission trips always reset our focus back to what’s important–God’s work of cultivating in us the character of Christ, a selfless spirit that places the needs and well-being of others above our own comfort or gratification,” she said.
Gospel music ministry Heritage Singers delivered powerful musical performances throughout the program and a mini-concert during the afternoon session.
“It was truly a wonderful experience, permanently etched in our memory,” said Karlene Phillips, who attended the event with her husband for the first time; she was also one of the volunteer speakers. “It has left us with the determination that wherever and whenever possible, we will serve on future mission trips, by the grace of God.”
If you weren’t able to attend Mission: Maranatha in person or want to experience your favorite part of the program again, watch the event on demand at watch.maranatha.org, YouTube, or our app, The Maranatha Channel. Download the app on any Apple or Android device, or on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV.
Maranatha Volunteers International, a supporting ministry of the Adventist Church, mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells, and other urgently needed structures around the world, including North America. Since 1969, Maranatha has constructed more than 16,000 structures and more than 3,500 water wells in nearly 90 countries.