November 3, 2009 – Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
After journeying thousands of miles and visiting 108 countries around the globe, the special traveling Bible set out by the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Follow the Bible initiative since last year, arrived Nov. 2, 2009, in Miami, Florida home to the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarters office.
The large multi-language Bible was handed over to Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, during a special ceremony while top church leaders gathered for the region’s executive committee meetings being held this week.
“This Bible has traveled through eight countries of our church in South America,” said Pastor Bolivar Alana, executive secretary for the church in South America. “This Bible visited presidents such as Peru’s president, as well as senators, and government officials in Brazil, and now I hand it over to you and may God bless you immensely in the Inter-American Division.”
As Pastor Leito accepted the 16-pound Bible, top church leaders from Inter-America’s 17 church regions stood by to savor the moment.
“The Inter-American Division has been anxiously awaiting this moment because for us this is a great honor to receive the Bible which brings with her a long history,” said Pastor Leito.
IAD leaders purchased some 20 replicas of the unique Bible to remain in the 17 major church regions, two experimental unions and its headquarter office as the traveling Bible journeys through. The initiative is a reminder to church members to study and share the truths of the Word of God throughout their communities.
“The Inter-American Division is the only world division which has purchased replicas of this Bible for its vast territory,” said Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, field secretary for the church in the IAD and division-wide organizer of the initiative.
The Bible, which now sports a new cover due to its wear and tear throughout the first year of its journey, is scheduled to travel throughout 10 countries of the IAD.
“We not only want to be part of this world event but we want every home where possible in our territory to have a Bible, calling out to people on the Word of God,” said Pastor Leito.” With this Bible we want to visit congress leaders, presidents, government officials and everyone with the Word of hope, Word of God calling on the need to follow the Word of God,” Pastor Leito said.
With large Bibles in hand, 19 top IAD church leaders prayed in consecration and commitment as the launch of the Follow the Bible activities take full form. The Bible will remain in the IAD as it travels to North Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and the Caribbean. On January 17, 2010, it will depart the division territory and head to Africa.
Hundreds of thousands Bibles were printed in English, Spanish and French to be distributed throughout the territory of the church in Inter-America as part of the initiative.
In addition, thousands of special magazines published by Inter-America’s publishing houses IADPA and GEMA will be distributed as the traveling Bible enters each union territory in the coming weeks.
Commemorative activities already taking place throughout Inter-America include Bible reading and Bible transcribing marathons, marches, special Bible-focused magazines, flyers, and more.
To follow the traveling Bible throughout the territory of the Inter-American Division, visit http://caravanadelabiblia.interamerica.org/
To view a photo gallery of IAD leaders receiving the traveling Bible, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica/4072383012/?rotated=1&cb=1257277746500
Photos by IAD Communication Department
