10 September 2026 | Edinburgh, Scotland [Adina Lupu with tedNEWS]
Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC) launched OneVoice27 at Edinburgh’s historic St Giles’ Cathedral, Scotland, on 5 September, sharing the gospel through music with local residents and tourists during a 90-minute concert. Organised by Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church, the concert brought around 40 choir members to one of Scotland’s best-known places of worship.
Reflecting on the occasion, choir director Maestro Samuel Santos described it as a historic moment. “The opportunity to present the gospel through [the] concert has been a historic moment for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Scottish Mission,” he said. “This open door to share so freely about God and His love with people who may have heard our message for the first time is a testimony to God’s continual leading and blessing of the outreach efforts of the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir.”
Santos, who has conducted many choirs throughout his musical ministry, said the occasion held particular significance. Even while conducting, he noticed members of the audience capturing moments from the concert through videos and photographs, some of which were later shared online.
“We can never tell just how far-reaching its influence will be,” he said, “but we know that God has a way of multiplying every seed, and I am grateful for the privilege of serving Him in Scotland.”
Following the concert, audience members spoke with choir members about the impact of the music, expressing their appreciation for the songs’ message about Jesus. These interactions also opened opportunities for further conversations about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scotland.
One mother shared that her daughter, who normally struggles to stay settled and attentive for long periods, remained calm and engaged throughout the concert as she listened to the gospel songs.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, founder of the GAGC, reflected on the significance of Glasgow Adventist Church joining the global OneVoice27 initiative. “Launching the global OneVoice27 initiative within a historic space like St Giles’ Cathedral reminds us that the gospel message remains dynamically alive, even within a deeply secular, postmodern culture,” he said.
“In a society where traditional religious frameworks are often met with indifference, music serves as a universal and dignified language, a strategic bridge that bypasses cultural barriers and touches the human heart directly.”
For Popescu, the choir shows how church members of all ages can take an active part in mission. “Watching forty of our members, spanning multiple generations, lift their voices to plant seeds of hope among tourists and local residents demonstrates that when we step out in innovative, Spirit-led ways, God opens doors,” he said.
“We are deeply humbled to represent the global Church’s vision right here on the front lines of the Scottish Mission.”
Founded in 1124, St Giles’ has been a place of worship for more than 900 years and has stood at the heart of significant moments in Scotland’s religious and national history. It served as John Knox’s parish church during the Reformation and, more recently, hosted events marking the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland to King Charles III.
Situated in Edinburgh’s historic city centre, within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the cathedral welcomes large numbers of visitors from around the world each day.
[Photos: Courtesy of the Scottish Mission]
The original version of this article was posted on the Scottish Mission website.
