OneVoice27 Expands as Church Leaders Call for Bold, United Mission

Leaders discuss plans for 2027 mission initiative

News April 16, 2026

15 April 2026 | Silver Spring, USA [Hannah Drewieck, Adventist Review]

Seventh-day Adventist regional leaders attending Spring Meeting on April 15, 2026, heard an expanded presentation on OneVoice27, a worldwide evangelism initiative designed to bring together media outreach, local churches, and members in a global effort to share the gospel in September 2027.

“OneVoice27 is not a new name that you give for the same things that you’re already doing. Because if you just give the name to do exactly what you are doing, this is not a movement. That is just maintenance,” said Erton Köhler, president of the General Conference (GC). “OneVoice27 is a call to think outside of the box, to think of something we didn’t do before, to mobilise the church, to be more aggressive in the mission of the church. This is an opportunity to move beyond where we are right now.”

Erton Köhler, General Conference president, introduces the OneVoice27 evangelistic initiative

Köhler also pointed leaders to September 5, 2026, as the initiative’s planned global launch day, when Adventist entities, institutions, and members around the world will use social media and other media platforms to announce what is coming and begin building momentum for the church’s worldwide effort to share the gospel in September 2027.

Spiritual preparation for 2027

A central focus of the presentation was the spiritual preparation of church members worldwide, with leaders emphasising that the initiative must be grounded in prayer, Scripture, and a renewed focus on Christ.

“Every great movement of God begins with prayer,” Ramon Canals, GC ministerial secretary, said. “OneVoice27 is no exception. The key to every missionary, evangelistic, soul-winning success is prayer.”

Canals called the global church to unite in a 40-day prayer initiative from July 23 to August 31, 2027. The initiative is designed to prepare members spiritually ahead of the September outreach by fostering revival, deeper consecration, and a collective focus on mission. Members are also encouraged to study the biblical books of Daniel and Revelation, which leaders described as foundational to the Adventist Church’s mission.

Ramon Canals, General Conference Ministerial Association secretary, shares during the OneVoice27 presentation at Spring Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland on April 15, 2026

Mário Martinelli, GC Publishing Ministries director, introduced the 2027 Missionary Book of the Year. The sharing resource will centre on Daniel and Revelation and will include the full biblical text, explanatory commentary, visual illustrations, and QR codes linking to additional content. The book is currently in development, with English copies expected in October 2026 and translations to follow, making it accessible for global distribution.

Alongside this, Merlin Burt, director of the Ellen G White Estate, encouraged members to read The Desire of Ages as part of their spiritual preparation. Plans are underway to release a special edition titled Jesus: The Desire of Ages, featuring updated language, Scripture references, and a six-month daily reading plan. These preparation materials are intended to help members deepen their relationship with Christ as they prepare to share Him with others.

“OneVoice27 needs to be in our DNA,” said Audrey Andersson, GC vice president, emphasising that departments across the General Conference are working to integrate the initiative into their ministries—from Children and Family to Education, Stewardship, and Youth—so that members of all ages can take part in the mission.

“All Things New: Hope Starts Here”

While OneVoice27 serves as the name of the internal initiative, Alyssa Truman, GC Communication director, emphasised that it will not be the message shared publicly. Instead, church leaders introduced a global theme intended to resonate across cultures, belief systems, and media platforms.

The theme, developed by a working group of departmental leaders, institutional representatives, and communication professionals, is “All Things New: Hope Starts Here,” drawn from Revelation 21:5. Truman explained the theme was designed to be broad enough to connect in both Christian and non-Christian contexts, adaptable across formats ranging from social media to large-scale advertising, translatable, and personal enough to speak to individual experiences of pain, loss, and a longing for restoration.

Alyssa Truman, General Conference Communication director, shares the OneVoice27 proposed theme, All Things New: Hope Starts Here, during Spring Meeting

“All Things New is not our promise as a church. It is God’s promise to His children,” said Truman. “We want each member to internalise that message for themselves, and as we create content to share, we want to ensure that the world hears that restoration can only come through Jesus Christ.”

Resources to equip members and reach seekers

“The impact of OneVoice27 will never be accomplished through the institutions of the church,” said Richard Stephenson, GC associate treasurer. “It will be accomplished through the local church member sharing Jesus.”

Stephenson explained that the General Conference is focusing on two primary objectives: equipping members and reaching seekers.

To support this, several global initiatives are being developed. These include the creation of shareable, member-generated content across digital platforms, supported by a centralised content engine where members can access and contribute resources. A global digital billboard and signage campaign will also place the message of “All Things New: Hope Starts Here” in high-visibility public spaces, directing individuals to learn more.

Jim Howard, Adventist World Radio president, shares during the OneVoice27 presentation at Spring Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland

In addition, Jim Howard, Adventist World Radio president, introduced Global Bible School as a supporting tool to help churches receive and nurture interest through digital outreach. The platform uses online and mobile-based Bible studies to engage individuals and connect them with local churches for follow-up and discipleship.

Together, these efforts are designed to make it easier for members to share their faith while ensuring those who respond are connected to local church communities.

Youth, local churches, and global coordination

A key component of the initiative is the Global Creators Summit, scheduled for July 20-23, 2026. The event will bring together 10 content creators or influencers from each of the Adventist Church’s global divisions to collaborate, receive training, and begin developing content for OneVoice27. Participants will return to their respective regions equipped to create and share digital content, mentor others, and expand the church’s presence across online platforms.

“The objectives and goals of OneVoice27 will not be realised unless our young people are mobilised to participate in the mission of the church,” said Busi Khumalo, GC Youth Ministries director.

Busi Khumalo, Youth Ministries director, shares during the OneVoice27 presentation at Spring Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland

Khumalo noted that young people are uniquely positioned to contribute to the initiative, particularly in digital spaces, and encouraged leaders to intentionally involve them in both media-based outreach and local church ministry.

Crystal Ward, GC associate ministerial secretary, emphasised that the initiative also depends on the active involvement of local churches and members. She noted that individuals can participate in a variety of ways, including sharing content, forming small groups, studying the Bible with others, and building relationships within their communities.

Presenters also outlined a collaborative structure to support the initiative, including significant GC funding and coordination through designated GC liaisons who will work with divisions around the world.

A call to harvest

Paul Douglas, General Conference treasurer, shares during the OneVoice27 presentation at Spring Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland

“We are in to speak with a loud voice, with one voice,” said Paul H Douglas, GC treasurer. “We are in for the harvest—the harvest of the seeds sown in homes, in local churches, and in the public square. We are in to ensure that all who hear the voice of God will be part of the family of God. Heaven is in. God is in. Are you in?”

 


[Photos: George Nelson / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)]

The original version of this article was posted on the Adventist News Network website.

Latest News

See All

OneVoice27 Expands as Church Leaders Call for Bold, United Mission

Leaders discuss plans for 2027 mission initiative

News

Meeting People Where They Are, A Railway Chaplain’s Ministry

Caring for those behind the journeys we take

News

Let’s Talk About Suicide

Adventist-produced series seeks to break the silence, open a path to hope

Health and Wellness