The Advent Gathering is a unique event designed for innovators, early adopters, and thought leaders within the Adventist community who are passionate about driving change and advancing our mission. Inspired by the tech world’s unconference model, this gathering is all about creating a dynamic, participant-driven experience where you can connect, collaborate, and co-labor with like-minded individuals.

At the Advent Gathering, there’s no pre-set agenda. Instead, each morning, you and other attendees will propose topics that are close to your heart or areas where you want to gain new insights. These topics are then voted on, and sessions are formed around the most popular ideas. Whether it’s a presentation, a roundtable discussion, or a hands-on workshop, the format ensures that every session is relevant, timely, and directly applicable to the challenges we face today.

This event is not just about talking; it’s about doing. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in practical activities that you can implement in your own ministry, community, or personal life. From learning new agricultural techniques and exploring innovative methods of evangelism to discovering natural remedies, the Advent Gathering is designed to equip you with actionable insights and skills.

The event is tailored for those who are already taking action—people who are ahead of the curve and want to deepen their impact. It’s a chance to connect with others who share your drive and passion, to learn from their experiences, and to share your own.

The Advent Gathering is more than just an event; it’s a collaborative experience aimed at preparing us all for the challenges ahead. By bringing together innovators and early adopters, we’re creating a network of co-laborers who are committed to fulfilling our divine mission in these last days.

Join us for this transformative experience, whether in person or online, and be a part of a movement that’s actively working to hasten the Lord’s return.

Co-Laborers: Connected & Collaborating

The Advent UNconference is an event tailored for those at the forefront of Adventist innovation. Rooted in the dynamic spirit of unconference models, this gathering is about bringing together those who are passionate about hastening the Lord's return through practical, Spirit-led initiatives.

Inspire and Equip

Participants leave with renewed inspiration and practical tools to advance their initiatives.

Strengthen Networks

Build stronger connections with like-minded innovators and early adopters.

Prepare for Challenges

Get ready to face future challenges spiritually, mentally, and practically.

What Past Attendees Are Saying

Advent Leaders Unconference 2023

"Engaging with like-minded individuals who are equally committed to living and sharing the truth in these last days has strengthened my faith and sharpened my focus. This experience is essential for anyone serious about their spiritual growth and leadership in these times."

Michael Presecan

"The Advent UNconference touched my heart in ways I didn't expect. Connecting with others who share the same passion and urgency for Christ's return filled me with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. The personal stories, the shared struggles, and the collective prayers created a powerful atmosphere that moved me deeply. I left feeling not only inspired but profoundly connected to a community that truly understands the times we're living in."

Danella Taylor

"This year Unconference went very well! God brought people from different parts of the world with a desire to learn and share. We spoke and learned about True Education, studied the Bible together, did soul searching together, prayed together and had only one desire - to be part of the group 'that follows the Lamb wherever He goes'."

Daniel Presecan

"It was a blessing to meet other people who love God, who love His return, and who are seeking to prepare for it."

Raquel Vasilache

"The Un-Conference has been a transformative experience, deepening my faith through fellowship, Bible study, and practical mission work."

Roy Cross

"The Advent Unconference was such a blessing to me. Spending time with brothers and sisters who not only know the truth but wants to live by the truth to hasten Christ second coming was very motivational to "let go" and "let God" work in my life, to let Him work in me and through me. It was wonderful time filled with greatfulness and hope around nature and God's presence. It's also nice to have the feeling that you belong somewhere and you're not alone in your journey of life. Now I feel as a part of the Advent family."

Hanna Gerlach

"At the event practical, actionable strategies were discussed in detail. The emphasis on collaboration and real-world application made it clear how we can effectively hasten the Lord's return through coordinated efforts."

Rob Bertholf

Our Theme: Hastening the Lord's Return

Our overarching mission is centered on the sacred call to hasten the Lord's return, as inspired by the words of Christ:

“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.”

2 Peter 3:12

By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God. ” The Desire of Ages (DA 633.3)

“When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”

Mark 4:29

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. ” Christ's Object Lessons (COL 69.1)

Each year, while our primary focus remains on this great work, we adopt a sub-theme that highlights specific aspects of our spiritual preparation and mission. These sub-themes provide practical insights and actionable steps to deepen our faith, strengthen our character, and inspire our community to stand united in this solemn and joyful purpose.

This Year's Theme

While our overall theme is Hastening the Lords return, each year we have a sub theme that highlights important messages which support hastening our Lord's return

A Feast of Tabernacles

”The Feast of Tabernacles was the closing gathering of the year. It was God's design that at this time the people should reflect on His goodness and mercy.” (DA 447.2)

“Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles—a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them.”

Patriarchs and Prophets (PP 540.6)

“As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth.” (PP 540.6)

“The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner.” (PP 541.2)

No, as Seventh-day Adventists, our faith is rooted in the understanding that Christ is the fulfillment of the ceremonial laws given to the Israelites, including the annual feasts. While we recognize the spiritual significance and rich symbolism of these feasts, we do not believe that their literal observance is required under the New Covenant established through Christ.

Fulfillment in Christ

The feast days served as a shadow of things to come, pointing forward to Christ's redemptive work. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ fulfilled the types and symbols embedded in these feasts.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. ” Acts 17:22-29

Accepting the New Covenant

Through Christ, the ceremonial law was fulfilled, and the covenant with Israel became a covenant with all who accept Him. The emphasis is now on heart transformation:

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. ” Hebrews 10:16

Spiritual Application

While we no longer observe the feast days ceremonially, we can draw inspiration from their principles. For example:

  • The Feast of Trumpets reminds us of repentance and awakening to God’s call.
  • The Day of Atonement calls us to confession and reconciliation with God and others.
  • The Feast of Tabernacles invites us to reflect on gratitude and God’s provision.

In conclusion, while the feast days hold profound meaning, their literal observance is not required. Instead, we embrace the deeper spiritual truths they point to, allowing Christ to fulfill these patterns in our lives.

The Advent Gathering provides a unique opportunity to connect with fellow believers, share experiences, and grow together as we prepare for the challenges ahead.

In Preparation for the Gathering

We ask that attendees prepare prior to the event. Drawing inspiration from the Feasts of Trumpets and Atonement, we reflect on the patterns given to the Hebrews—times of repentance, confession, and reconciliation. By engaging in these steps personally, you set the foundation for a meaningful and spiritually enriching gathering at the UNconference. We invite all attendees to commit to this journey and join us with hearts ready to celebrate God’s faithfulness in fellowship and gratitude.

Trumpets

September 22–23

For the Hebrews, the Feast of Trumpets marked a call to repentance and spiritual awakening—a time to reflect, hear the call of God, and prepare for what lay ahead. May we draw inspiration from this pattern in our personal walk, using it as an opportunity to seek God’s calling and align our hearts with His will.

  • Reflect on your spiritual priorities
  • Set aside quiet time for prayer
  • Meditate on repentance scriptures

Atonement

October 1–2

Similarly, the Day of Atonement was a solemn time of confession, fasting, and reconciliation—a moment to intercede, seek forgiveness, and recommit to God’s plan. May we set a day of fasting prior to the UNconference as an opportunity to reflect, realign, and deepen our relationship with God.

  • Fast and pray for spiritual renewal
  • Confess and reconcile with others
  • Seek clarity and intercede for your community

Arrive at the UNconference

October 6-13

With a heart prepared through repentance, confession, fasting, and reconciliation, join us at the UNconference to celebrate God’s faithfulness in fellowship and gratitude.

Get Involved

Next Event

October 6-13, 2025

Join us for our next Advent Leaders UNconference in Berivoi, Romania.

Location Information