26 March 2024| Nærum, Denmark [Peter Larsen with tedNEWS]
At the 25 March extraordinary meeting of the Danish Union of Churches Conference (DUChC) Executive Committee, pastor Bjørn Ottesen was elected president, following the departure of former president Thomas Müller to serve as school headteacher at Vejlefjordskolen, Daugård.
With 40 years of experience, Ottesen is well-prepared for his new responsibility of once again leading the church in Denmark. He has previously served as president in both Denmark and Sweden, as a local pastor, Bible teacher, and head of Theological Studies and Senior Lecturer at Newbold College of Higher Education, in England.
Ottesen holds a Master of Divinity from Andrews University (USA) and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary (USA). Married to Maj-Britt since 1980, they have four adult daughters.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our outgoing president, Thomas Müller, who has served with dedication, and who has given tremendous effort over the past 12 years,” shared Otteson on his appointment. “At present,” he continued, “the Adventist the Church in Denmark is experiencing a particularly exciting period of development, of which I am eager to make a contribution.”
“We welcome Bjørn Ottesen to his new role as the Danish Union of Churches Conference president,” said Daniel Duda, Trans-European Division president. “Bjørn is a capable and experienced church administrator. After his return to Denmark from Newbold College, he served as Ministerial Association secretary and departmental director for evangelism and mission. I am looking forward to a good collaboration and exciting future for our church in Denmark,” Duda concluded.
Ottesen will continue in his role until the church’s General Assembly in 2025, when elections of all Union officers will take place.
The original version on this article was published on the Danish Union website.
[Featured image: Linea Christiansen, group photo: Tor Tjeransen/Adventist Media Exchange, CC BY 4.0]
