10 Sep 2026, 15:30Adina Lupu; edited by SM CommunicationsEdinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir Marks OneVoice27 Launch at Historic St Giles’ Cathedral
Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir launched OneVoice27 at Edinburgh’s historic St Giles’ Cathedral, sharing the gospel through music with visitors and locals alike.
On Sabbath, 5 September, Glasgow Church, through its main outreach ministry, the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC), joined the global Church in launching OneVoice27 with a gospel music concert at the historic St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Founded in 1124, St Giles’ has been a place of worship for more than 900 years and has stood at the heart of significant moments in Scotland’s religious and national history. It served as John Knox’s parish church during the Reformation and, more recently, hosted events surrounding the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland to His Majesty King Charles III.
Situated in Edinburgh’s historic centre, within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the cathedral welcomes large numbers of visitors from around the world each day. Against this remarkable backdrop, the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir shared the gospel through music for almost 90 minutes with those passing through the cathedral.
Reflecting on the occasion, Choir Director Maestro Samuel Santos described it as a historic moment for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scotland.
“The opportunity to present the gospel through today’s concert has been a historic moment for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Scottish Mission,” he said. “Having supported the musical ministry of Glasgow Church for more than two years, I understand better how difficult it can be in the local secular context to talk about Jesus.
"This open door to share so freely about God and His love with people who may have heard our message for the first time is a testimony to God’s continual leading and blessing of the outreach efforts of the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir.”
For Santos, who has conducted many choirs throughout his musical ministry, the occasion held particular significance. Even while conducting, Santos noticed members of the audience capturing moments from the concert through videos and photographs, some of which were shared online.
“We can never tell just how far-reaching its influence will be,” he reflected, “but we know that God has a way of multiplying every seed, and I am grateful for the privilege of serving Him in Scotland.”
Following the concert, members of the audience spoke with choir members about the impact the music had made, expressing their appreciation for the messages shared. These interactions also opened opportunities for further conversations about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scotland.
One mother shared that her daughter, who would normally struggle to remain settled and attentive for long periods, had remained calm and engaged throughout the concert, listening to the gospel songs.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, founder and driving force behind the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir, reflected on the significance of Glasgow Church joining the global OneVoice27 initiative through the concert at St Giles’ Cathedral.
“Launching the global OneVoice27 initiative within a historic space like St Giles’ Cathedral reminds us that the gospel message remains dynamically alive, even within a deeply secular, post-modern culture,” he said.
“In a society where traditional religious frameworks are often met with indifference, music serves as a universal and dignified language – a strategic bridge that bypasses cultural barriers and touches the human heart directly.
For Popescu, the choir also represents a practical expression of total member involvement, with around 40 members from across generations participating in the ministry.
“Watching forty of our members, spanning multiple generations, lift their voices to plant seeds of hope among tourists and local residents demonstrates that when we step out in innovative, Spirit-led ways, God opens doors.
“We are deeply humbled to represent the global Church’s vision right here on the front lines of the Scottish Mission.”
The St Giles’ concert reflected the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir’s continuing commitment to using music as a means of outreach and community engagement.
The choir’s outreach will continue with a fundraising concert in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity at Renfrew North Parish Church, Glasgow, in November.
Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir launched OneVoice27 at Edinburgh’s historic St Giles’ Cathedral, sharing the gospel through music with visitors and locals alike.
On Sabbath, 5 September, Glasgow Church, through its main outreach ministry, the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC), joined the global Church in launching OneVoice27 with a gospel music concert at the historic St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Founded in 1124, St Giles’ has been a place of worship for more than 900 years and has stood at the heart of significant moments in Scotland’s religious and national history. It served as John Knox’s parish church during the Reformation and, more recently, hosted events surrounding the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland to His Majesty King Charles III.
Situated in Edinburgh’s historic centre, within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the cathedral welcomes large numbers of visitors from around the world each day. Against this remarkable backdrop, the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir shared the gospel through music for almost 90 minutes with those passing through the cathedral.
Reflecting on the occasion, Choir Director Maestro Samuel Santos described it as a historic moment for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scotland.
“The opportunity to present the gospel through today’s concert has been a historic moment for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Scottish Mission,” he said. “Having supported the musical ministry of Glasgow Church for more than two years, I understand better how difficult it can be in the local secular context to talk about Jesus.
"This open door to share so freely about God and His love with people who may have heard our message for the first time is a testimony to God’s continual leading and blessing of the outreach efforts of the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir.”
For Santos, who has conducted many choirs throughout his musical ministry, the occasion held particular significance. Even while conducting, Santos noticed members of the audience capturing moments from the concert through videos and photographs, some of which were shared online.
“We can never tell just how far-reaching its influence will be,” he reflected, “but we know that God has a way of multiplying every seed, and I am grateful for the privilege of serving Him in Scotland.”
Following the concert, members of the audience spoke with choir members about the impact the music had made, expressing their appreciation for the messages shared. These interactions also opened opportunities for further conversations about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scotland.
One mother shared that her daughter, who would normally struggle to remain settled and attentive for long periods, had remained calm and engaged throughout the concert, listening to the gospel songs.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, founder and driving force behind the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir, reflected on the significance of Glasgow Church joining the global OneVoice27 initiative through the concert at St Giles’ Cathedral.
“Launching the global OneVoice27 initiative within a historic space like St Giles’ Cathedral reminds us that the gospel message remains dynamically alive, even within a deeply secular, post-modern culture,” he said.
“In a society where traditional religious frameworks are often met with indifference, music serves as a universal and dignified language – a strategic bridge that bypasses cultural barriers and touches the human heart directly.
For Popescu, the choir also represents a practical expression of total member involvement, with around 40 members from across generations participating in the ministry.
“Watching forty of our members, spanning multiple generations, lift their voices to plant seeds of hope among tourists and local residents demonstrates that when we step out in innovative, Spirit-led ways, God opens doors.
“We are deeply humbled to represent the global Church’s vision right here on the front lines of the Scottish Mission.”
The St Giles’ concert reflected the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir’s continuing commitment to using music as a means of outreach and community engagement.
The choir’s outreach will continue with a fundraising concert in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity at Renfrew North Parish Church, Glasgow, in November.
