Church administrators, leaders, and lay members from across the Inter-European Division (EUD) convened in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from October 30 to November 3, for the division's Annual Council. This pivotal event marked the first major gathering since the General Conference Session held earlier this year in St. Louis, Missouri.
During the Annual Council, the EUD Executive Committee proceeded with the nominations of several department directorships that had remained vacant following the GC Session in St. Louis.
Newly Elected Department Directors
The following individuals were elected to serve in their respective roles:
For Family Ministries, Roberto Iannò was elected. He is a 60-year-old theologian and family counselor who holds degrees in education, religion, and family counseling, and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Family Ministry from Andrews University. His previous service includes roles as executive secretary, director of Education and Family Ministries, and adjunct professor at the Italian Adventist University Villa Aurora. He is a recipient of the Arthur & Maud Spalding Medallion from the General Conference.
László Szabó was elected Field Secretary for Small Groups Ministries. A Hungarian-born lecturer at Friedensau Adventist University in Germany, he specializes in mission and intercultural studies. He directs the Arthur Daniells Institute of Mission Studies (ADIMIS), focusing his research on mission in secular and post-Christian Europe. His previous experience includes roles as director of Hope Media Hungary, secretary of the Ministerial Association Department, and Global Mission coordinator.
Serving in Children's Ministries will be Noémi Laura Magyarosi. Born in Romania, she is a kindergarten teacher with 15 years of experience in both Adventist institutions and public schools. She is deeply passionate about shaping the faith of children and fostering their growth into mature Christians fully engaged in the Church's mission.
Norbert Zens was elected director of the Publishing Department. He has served as treasurer of the EUD since 2010. His prior experience includes nine years as financial administrator at the Bogenhofen Adventist Seminary in Austria, and associate director for the Euro-Africa (now EUD) region in the General Conference Audit Service (GCAS).
For Spirit of Prophecy, the committee elected Sully Payet. Born on Réunion Island in 1978, he holds a Ph.D. in Religion (Old Testament) from A.I.I.A.S., Philippines. As an ordained pastor, he has taught theology since 2008 and is currently a professor of theology and Adventist studies at Collonges Adventist University, specializing in dogmatics, eschatology, and ancient languages.
Josef Slowík, Ph.D., was elected to lead Adventist Possibilities Ministries. He is a special education teacher working both in academia (University of West Bohemia in Pilsen) and in practice. His professional focus is on education, personal development, and the inclusion of people with special needs. Beyond his professional life, he is a husband, parent, occasional musician and poet, regular reader, and recreational athlete.
Finally, Markus Czettl was elected for Planned Giving and Trust Services. He holds a Master of Science in Administration. A former banker, he has managed EUD investments for over 25 years and served 19 years as associate treasurer of the division, in addition to working at GC institutions (AWR-Europe treasurer / GCAS auditor). He brings prior experience in Planned Giving and Trust Services from his time as a part-time Conference CFO.
