The Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists’ website, interamerica.org, featured an article in its October 31, 2021, issue captioned, “Adventist Leaders in Inter-America Launch Centennial Celebration, Look to Greater Growth in 2022”. See the contents of the article below:
November 19, 2021 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders of the Inter-American Division (IAD) are stopping at nothing to motivate church members to be totally involved in evangelizing, discipling and serving the community as centennial celebrations sweep across the territory in 2022. IAD administrators and departmental leaders celebrated big during a special online program on Sabbath, Oct. 30, 2021, pointing to the blessings God has bestowed in the IAD since it was officially organized as an Adventist World Division in 1922.
“On this Sabbath, the Inter-American Division remembers how God has led His people in recent years and reaffirms its truths in this living Almighty, Wonderful, Loving God,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the church in Inter-America, during the worship service. We cannot forget how God has assisted us in the past and we have the assurance that we can project ourselves into the future.”
As the new year will mark 100 years since the Adventist World Church Council determined the geographical territory of the IAD, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, to the northern tip of South America including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname, the call to preach the everlasting gospel with the anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus remains the same, said Pastor Henry.
In 1922, there were nearly 8,000 church members in what had been called the eastern and western regions in the territory, he said. “In a miraculous providential way, the Adventist message arrived in several countries before 1922, thanks to boxes of books left in different ports which were collected by men in search of the truth in places like Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and Guyana,” he said. Tireless work of early pioneers
“Thanks to the tireless work of the early colporteurs, devoted, men and women, who left everything to be bearers of hope to journey over hills and mountains, to valleys and large territory proclaiming that Jesus is alive, that He is returning Soon and with Bible on hand sustaining that we must keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, the church began to expand,” said Pastor Henry.
The work in Inter-America quickly grew to establish primary, secondary, and professional schools, as well as colleges and universities so that young people could have access to an Adventist Christian education. Then, health centers and clinics began to show compassion to a humanity suffering from ailments, bringing relief, restoration and well-being, he said.
“Soon we saw that deacons, good Samaritans, Dorcas, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, centers of influence and others brought selfless service to the homeless people, the unfortunate ones, showing themselves brothers and sisters of hope,” said Pastor Henry.
“Today with more than 3.6 million members grouped in 24 administrative units, or unions, 156 regional organized conferences and missions, in more than 23,000 churches and congregations, led by over 3,000 pastors, missionaries and educators, we give glory to God for His infinite grace over the years, for the great accomplishments and growth that He was brought to the church under the first leadership of Pastor Elmer Andross, as well as Bender L. Archbold, George W. Brown, and Israel Leito – great men of vision and faith,” he said.
Added to the leadership under the influence of the Holy Spirit, pastors, missionaries and lay people, men and women, young people of all ages have been able to overcome great obstacles to stay strong and be witnesses of their faith in Jesus, explained Pastor Henry. The launch of the first centennial celebration is meant to be a great movement of praise and thanksgiving, to rekindle God’s actions in the past and move forward with renewed loyalty and passion in the mission entrusted to each one of us, said Pastor Henry.
In his spiritual message addressing thousands of church member viewers in their homes and throughout churches and congregations, Pastor Henry appealed for each member to remain relevant, vibrant, healthy, sincere and blameless until Jesus comes. As he quoted the miracles God performed in Mark 8, with the feeding of thousands and the unbelief of His disciples, Pastor Henry encouraged viewers to not forget how God has led in the past, and how He has called each one to participate in this great enterprise which is the proclamation of His salvation and the building of His church in the world.