14 June 2025| Ekebyholm, Norrtälje, Sweden [David Neal]
At the Swedish Union of Churches Conference (SUChC) Session, which took place on the campus of Ekebyholm School from 12-15 June, Daniel Hailemariam was elected to serve as president for the next three years.
Born in 1963, Hailemariam holds a BA in Theology, an MA in Education, and has served the Church in various roles, including pastor, Ekebyholme vice-principal and Executive Secretary of the SUChC. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Career Counselling, has formal training in school leadership, and has served as a lecturer at Stockholm University.
Bringing a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to relationship-building, pastoral care, and organisational development to his role, he is known for his thoughtful leadership and collaborative spirit. It is important to Hailemariam that church structures support both people and mission.
Married since 1987, Daniel and his wife are parents to four adult children, with three still living at home. His vision for leadership focuses on empowering colleagues to fulfil their God-given calling and on nurturing a culture of care and cooperation. He is dedicated to strengthening the Adventist Church in Sweden through intentional collaboration and mission-focused growth.
Belonging before serving!
Preaching for the first time in his new role, Hailemariam shared insights from Luke 10:17–20, which he has graciously summarised for tedNEWS.
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two followers to go ahead of Him and prepare the way for His arrival. They minister by bringing peace, healing the sick, and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near. When they return, they are full of joy, celebrating that even demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. Their joy flows from experiencing the power of God at work through them. But Jesus, while acknowledging their success, gently redirects their focus toward a deeper, more lasting source of joy.
Jesus responds in three important ways. First, He gives a warning: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (v.18). This is a caution against pride—a reminder that spiritual success can be followed by spiritual downfall if pride takes root. Even Satan, once exalted, fell because he tried to elevate himself above God. Jesus warns the disciples not to let ministry results become the source of their identity or worth.
Second, Jesus offers reassurance: “I have given you authority…” He affirms that they have truly been given power to confront darkness and represent the Kingdom of God. But that authority is not for building a personal platform or proving spiritual status. It’s for revealing who God is and preparing the way for others to encounter Christ. Their power is a delegation from God—it flows from Him, and they are only vessels.
Finally, Jesus provides the heart of His message: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (v.20). This is the most important truth. The truest, most enduring joy is not based on what we do for God, but who we are to God. Our identity is not defined by our roles, titles, or results, but by the simple, eternal fact that we belong to Him. Our names are written in heaven. That’s what gives us worth. That’s what sustains us—when our strength fails, when our efforts go unseen, when circumstances shake us.
This kind of joy is not performance-based. It doesn’t fade when ministry is hard or when we feel inadequate. It’s not like fireworks that burn bright and then disappear. It’s steady, anchored in eternity. It’s rooted not in outcomes, but in what God has already done: that He knows our name, loves us, and has written our name in His book—engraved in His hands (Isaiah 49:16). We are not primarily servants, but children—sons and daughters in relationship with our Father.
Belonging comes before doing. Before we bear fruit, we must first take root. When our joy flows from belonging to God, ministry becomes a response, not a requirement. We’re no longer driven by pressure to prove ourselves, but by gratitude and love. Even when no one notices, even when we feel weak, we are still someone—because we are His. Jesus invites us to a deeper joy. A joy that endures. A joy that carries us all the way home. Let that be our source. Our name is written in heaven. That is enough.
In response to Hailemariam’s sermon, a diverse group—young and old, pastors, members, and delegates—came forward for a prayer of dedication and commitment.
Department Elections
In addition to the officers of the SUChC elected to office, department leaders were also voted. Marita Fors was elected as Media Centre and Hope Channel Manager, Karin Lundberg as Ministerial Secretary, and Anette Frank in an overseeing role as Director for Church Planting and Church Life.
Featured Image: Daniel Hailemariam preaching at the Swedish Union of Churches Conference Session [Photos: David Neal].
