30 October 2026 | Budva, Montenegro [Joe Philpott]
Goran Zivkovic was elected the new Trans-European Division (TED) director for Education, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries on 29 October at the TED Annual Council in Budva, Montenegro. He succeeds Kayle de Waal, who will leave the TED on 30 November to return to Australia as an associate professor in Practical Theology at Avondale University.
Zivkovic brings more than two decades of experience in church ministry, higher education and administration, having worked in several countries across Europe and North America. Since 2023, he has served as associate professor of Old Testament at Friedensau Adventist University in Germany, teaching biblical studies and supervising postgraduate research. He has also developed curricula and served on university committees.
Alongside his position at Friedensau, he has held teaching appointments at McMaster Divinity College in Canada and Belgrade Theological Seminary in Serbia. He has also taught students in the Baltic region, an experience that has connected him with theological education across the Division.
He completed a PhD in Christian Theology, specialising in Old Testament studies, at McMaster Divinity College in Canada in 2023. He also holds a master’s degree in biblical studies from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and a theology degree from Belgrade Theological Seminary. His research focuses on the Old Testament prophets and on how biblical texts can be understood through ritual, community, and the natural world.
Before moving into full-time university teaching, Zivkovic served as an ordained pastor in Serbia and Canada, including more than a decade with the Ontario Conference. From 2009 to 2011, he served as director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Serbia, overseeing humanitarian programmes and working with staff and partner organisations.
Reflecting on his appointment, Zivkovic expressed appreciation for the opportunity to return to the division where his journey began.
“I accept this call with a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Throughout our journey, my family and I have moved many times and made many places our home. We are now happy to return to our first home, the Trans-European Division,” he said. “I look forward to working alongside the rest of the team and collaborating with leaders across the TED. My intention is to do so humbly, relying on God’s guidance and wisdom.”
Welcoming his appointment, TED president Daniel Duda highlighted how Zivkovic’s experience would support the Division’s educational and missional priorities.
“Goran brings to the TED a wonderful combination of biblical scholarship, pastoral experience and cross-cultural leadership. I look forward to working with him as part of our TED team, partnering with our unions to strengthen Adventist education, deepen discipleship and equip our members for meaningful mission,” Duda said. “Ultimately, our goal is not simply to provide programmes, but to create opportunities for people to grow in faith, discover their gifts and flourish in serving others. We welcome Goran, his wife Branka, and their children Sarah and Nathan to our TED office team.”
De Waal has led the Education Department since 2023, having joined the TED in 2022 to focus on discipleship-making. During his tenure, the Division has continued to support students preparing for ministry at Newbold College of Higher Education and other educational partners. In addition to education, de Waal has overseen Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Bible Correspondence Schools and Prayer Ministries. Zivkovic will assume responsibility for Education, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, while a coordinator for the Bible Correspondence Schools and Prayer Ministries roles will be elected at a later date.
Expressing his appreciation for de Waal’s service, Duda said, “We are deeply grateful to Kayle for four years of dedicated ministry at the TED, and we wish him and Charmaine God’s richest blessings as they return back to Australia for this new chapter of life and service.”
[Photos: Featured image from Goran Zivkovic; other photo by Jim Botha / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)]
