June 7, 2025

Portugal Adventists Hold Largest National Assembly Ever

Almost 4,000 people met as part of the church’s 120th anniversary in the country.

by

Portuguese Union of Churches Conference Communication, and Adventist Review

The Expo-Centro in Pombal was once again the stage for the annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Portugal. On Saturday (Sabbath), May 17, almost 4,000 people, the largest assembly ever held in the country, gathered in a spiritual and intercultural environment. On this Sabbath, attendees celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Adventist Church in Portugal.

Erton Köhler, secretary of the General Conference, spoke during the 120th anniversary of the Adventist Church in Portugal. Köhler challenged attendees to remain united in mission. [Photo: Portuguese Union of Churches Conference Communication]

A Celebration With Memory

The highlight of the morning program was a tribute to local churches. Onstage, 72 representatives from the 114 Adventist churches in Portugal received a gift that reflected on the start of the Adventist Church in Portugal 120 years ago. Each local church chose a person who would represent them.

Next to the stage, a 10-meter chronological timeline with images and dates highlighted major milestones of the church in Portugal including the date that each local church was established, its location, and a photograph of every church building. “Each representative was invited to take a photograph next to the name of their church, reinforcing the feeling of identity and belonging to the global mission through local action,” event organizers said.

A 10-meter chronological timeline with images and dates highlighted major milestones of the church in Portugal, including the date that each local church was established, its location, and a photograph of every church building. [Photo: Portuguese Union of Churches Conference Communication]

Eating to Unite Cultures

In a relaxed atmosphere, behind the stage, a multicultural lunch brought together about 600 people. In addition to the Portuguese Union food stand, 14 churches also registered and participated, encouraging their members to prepare and bring typical dishes from their countries of origin.

Behind this initiative was ADRA Portugal. This allowed attendees to enjoy a banquet of international flavors. “This moment proved to be one of the most symbolic of the day, reflecting the diversity, the spirit of cooperation, and a sense of unity that was the dominant mark of this spiritual assembly,” organizers said.

Emiliana Malaquias, from Caldas da Rainha, shared, “It was a wonderful experience. We made new friends, and for me this meeting was a small glimpse of what it will be like to be all together at the Lord’s table when Jesus comes for His people. I felt so happy, as if we were anticipating eternity.”

A multicultural lunch brought together about 600 people. [Photo: Portuguese Union of Churches Conference Communication]

Testimonies That Drive Members to Do Mission

The keynote speaker for the day was Erton Köhler, secretary of the General Conference. Köhler challenged the Adventist Church to remain united in mission.

During the afternoon the program continued with testimonies from Bragança, Pedrógão Grande, Funchal, and Cascais highlighted the growth of the church in different regions, even among people of various cultures.

Throughout the day, music created a special atmosphere. Performances included a 20-member orchestra, an African church choir from Lisbon, Hungarian soloist Erzsébet Hillenkoetter, and a few other choirs. There was a special moment during the program when close to 150 children took the stage to sing “My Little Light.”

An African choir from a church in Lisbon, Portugal, sang during the 120th anniversary service of the Adventist Church in Portugal. [Photo: Portuguese Union of Churches Conference Communication]

United in Mission

One of the most emotional moments of the day was a tribute to António Tostes. The special tribute highlighted the key role that the current director of the Novo Tempo Network in the South American Division played in the implementation of TV Novo Tempo in Portugal. From the very beginning, Tostes believed in the expansion of Novo Tempo to Portugal, recognizing the potential of the common language.

Pedro Esteves, who led the tribute to Tostes, made an appeal to all attendees, encouraging them to take with them the new magazine of TV Novo Tempo, The Great Controversy. The special edition magazine includes a series of Bible studies associated with the homonymous program of TV Novo Tempo. “The appeal had an immediate impact, because hundreds of copies were sold in a few minutes,” event organizers said.