Inter-America displays commemorative Bible as a herald of world-wide Follow the Bible initiative

June 2, 2009 – Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]

As the Seventh-day Adventist Church throughout Inter-America prepares to take part in the church's world-wide initiative Follow the Bible in the coming months, a special large Bible written in 66 languages is on display now at the headquarter office in Miami, Florida, United States. This Bible is a replica of the actual Bible which has been journeying across the world to its final destination at the General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia, in July, 2010.

“This Bible will commemorate our participation later this year in the Follow the Bible initiative, ” said Pastor Israel Leito, president for the church in Inter-America, as he shared with church leaders and staff at the Inter-American Division headquarter office last week. “We want to join the rest of the church in calling attention to the world about the need to make the Bible paramount in our dealings with each other, in our relationship with God and to lead our lives,” he added.

The commemorative Bible will stay on display in the IAD's library.

Inter-America will receive the traveling Bible from the South American Division on Nov. 6, 2009, in the territory of North Mexico, and will travel throughout the church's 17 major church regions for 10 weeks until Jan. 10, 2010.

According to Pastor Leito, 17 such Bibles have been purchased to remain in each of the church's major regions to continue with special commemorative local activities once the Follow the Bible special copy leaves each union region and heads off to Africa. In addition, there is a division-wide initiative encouraging every church member to purchase a specially priced Bible from IAD's publishing houses to share with a non-believer during this year. Church leaders estimate that three million Bibles will be distributed.

Commemorative activities throughout Inter-America include Bible reading marathons, Bible transcribing marathons, marches, special Bible-focused magazines and flyers, and more.

To find out more on the Follow the Bible initiative throughout Inter-America, visit www.interamerica.org or visit www.followthebiblesda.com.