Bertil Wiklander, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Trans-European Division, informed church officials that he plans to retire from his post at the end of July.
Wiklander announced his decision earlier this month at a February 12 staff devotional during two days of leadership training for union presidents. Appreciation for his service was expressed by the staff through the Executive Secretary Audrey Andersson and by Sandra Grice, associate director for the General Conference Auditing Service.
“I have enjoyed my work and the many people I have come to know in various parts of the division, and I will leave my responsibility with much gratitude to God and my colleagues,” Wiklander said. “I will greatly miss the fellowship and friendship within our office, which I think is something very unique and precious. May God bless you all and his work in this part of the world.”
July will mark Wiklander’s 19th year as president of the division, which is based in St. Albans, England.
In a statement he said: “I am grateful to God for the blessings I have received, the many things I have learnt, and especially for the wonderful team I have had around me in the division office and in the unions and other fields within the division. It is good for me to be able to spend more time with my family, and there are some interesting book projects and biblical research that I want to attend to in my retirement.”
Wiklander said he had spoken with Adventist world church President Ted N. C. Wilson, who will chair the division’s Executive Committee in electing a successor.
Prior to coming to the division, Wiklander served in his native Sweden as principal of Ekebyholm School, as well as executive secretary and president of what is now the Swedish Union of Churches Conference.
As president of the division, Wiklander oversaw two realignments of its territory. Colleagues said he provided stable leadership during the transitions and helped the division redefine its mission, vision and purpose.