Erton C. Köhler was elected to the office of the president of the General Conference (GC) on July 4, 2025, during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri.
Köhler’s election marks the beginning of his first term as the spiritual and administrative leader of a worldwide movement that spans more than 200 countries and includes more than 23 million members.
"Before any other word, I'd like to tell you that I move forward renewed in my confidence in the Lord and in the church," Köhler said.
The nomination came to the floor after prayerful deliberation by the Nominating Committee, composed of delegates from each of the church’s global divisions and attached fields. The committee’s recommendation was then presented to the delegates in attendance, who voted to confirm Köhler’s nomination during the business session at the Dome in America’s Center.
Mobilizing the Church for the Unreached
Since his election to the position of GC secretary during the 2021 Spring Meeting held at the church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, Köhler has championed a bold and prophetic call for the global church to refocus its mission. Under his leadership, the church launched the Mission Refocus initiative.
“Mission Refocus is a project … an initiative, a movement,” Köhler said. “But more than everything, Mission Refocus is a call for integration.”