Ulrich Frikart, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Euro-Africa Division

Adventist Euro-Africa president to retire December 2008

Berne/Switzerland | 19.08.2008 | APD | International

The president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Euro-Africa Division, pastor Ulrich Frikart, announced his retirement August 12. Frikart will officially leave office at the end of December 2008.

The Swiss theologian Frikart became president of the region in 1995. He previously served as secretary of that Church division, with headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. During his presidency, Frikart promoted outreach to postmoderns and young people and updated church communication methods in an effort to keep the church socially relevant.

Frikart, 65, re-elected 2005 for a five-years term, said the decision was based upon reaching retirement age and to allow an efficient transition of church leadership in this European field.

"I am grateful to the Lord for His blessings and support during the 18 years during my service as an officer. My thanks go to the General Conference administration and the division team, for the excellent and inspiring cooperation," Frikart said.

The new division president will be nominated during the Euro-Africa division’s year-end meeting in November in Jongny (Switzerland) and take office January 2009.

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