Acapulco, Mexico…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
In a touristic city, known for its rich culture, port, sunny beaches and famous divers who plunge 147 feet (or 45 meters) from a cliff into the ocean, Acapulco has a growing number of Seventh-day Adventists among its population.
The Adventist message arrived in Acapulco in the form of two colporteurs who visited and remained in the city in 1934. Soon a group of believers began meeting in a guest house and it was not until 23 years later that the first group of believers was consolidated.
It was in 1957 that the first church was built. It was officially organized in 1970.
The church membership grew so much that it became necessary to divide the district in two.
Today, Acapulco has 1,197 church members spread out in its two pastoral districts, seven organized churches and nine congregations. There are four additional groups growing.
Church members are active in trying to reach the more then 750,000 people who live in Acapulco. The church of Magallanes is active in empowering the youth to take the lead and participate in youth activities. Through its Pathfinder and Aventurer clubs, Sabbath school and church services, church leaders believe in actively involving the youth in its services.
Offering collection and platform participation, along with church leaders, were among some of the activities on Sabbath, Oct. 21, that helped equip the children and young people to become leaders in the church of Magallanes, church leaders said.
The Central Church of Magallanes was the venue for the top Adventist leaders of Inter-America to attend worship services a day before bi-annual church business meetings of the Inter-American Division Executive Committee began.
“The church chose Acapulco as its venue for the meetings not just for its beauty but for its vigor,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America. “Your division appreciates your work, your vigor and your love.”
During the Sabbath afternoon program, church members at the Magallanes Church listened and viewed reports from top church leaders of Inter-America on the programs and membership growth throughout the IAD territory.
The Seventh-day Adventist church in Acapulco belongs to the Inter-Oceanic Mexican region, which, together with six conference/mission regions, has more than 161,000 members worshiping in 874 churches.
