Dominican Republic: Adventist ministers gather for first nation-wide theology symposium

May 15, 2009 – Sonador, Bonao, Dominican Republic….[Silvestre Gonzalez/IAD Staff]

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist pastors, administrators, laypeople and theology students gathered for a special Theology Symposium held on the campus of the Adventist University in Bonao, Dominican Republic, on May 7-9, 2009. The symposium, the first such event ever held on the island, brought Adventist theologians from the world church to expand and emphasize one of the newest church's fundamental beliefs, “Growing in Christ.”

“We organized this symposium for our ministers, leaders and students to gain in-depth knowledge on our church's specific fundamental belief from a theological and pastoral perspective,” said Franz Rios, ThD, director of the Theology department at the Adventist Dominican University and organizer of the event.

Sponsored by the church's Biblical Research Institute, the Inter-American Division and the church and university in the Dominican Republic, the symposium featured more than a dozen theologians from the Adventist World Church's Biblical Research Institute, Loma Linda University, Andrews University, Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary, Montemorelos Univeristy, and Linda Vista Adventist University.

“For many of you this symposium will mark a milestone in your pastoral and professional life,” said Pastor Leito, president of the church in Inter-America to the more than 500 participants at the event.

“Adventist theology is permeated by love and brings out the transformation of lives as a result,” said Pastor Leito during his Sabbath address.

The idea of the symposium was a project conceived about three years ago after the church voted on the Growing in Christ fundamental belief during the church's General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri in 2005, said Dr. Rios.

“We hope that this symposium can motivate Biblical research and as a result they can experience a growing in Christ until the Lord comes in glory and majesty,” Dr. Rios said.

Pastor Pedro Plata, president of the church in North Mission, was glad to see this symposium happen for the pastors and laypeople working in his territory.

“We have all benefitted from the simple and yet in-depth way our theologians have presented the Adventist beliefs,” Plata said.

“This event really impacted my life and overall confirmed my beliefs,” added district pastor Luis Martinez.

Symposium participants toured the brand-new theological research center at the university, inaugurated during the event by Biblical Research Institute and IAD leaders. The center is equipped with several computers and resources for students, faculty and pastors.

For more information on the symposium and the work of the church in the Dominican Republic, visit www.adventistas.org.do