May 18, 2010 – Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church throughout Inter-America were updated on the development and financial progress of the boards of its top institutional organizations during a full day of meetings yesterday.
IADPA
The Inter-American Division’s Publishing Association (IADPA) reported more than a million dollars in sales during the first fourth months of 2010, a significant yearly increase since 2004.
IADPA also presented to the board members and church leaders a dozen new books which will be available to the vast leadership and membership in the territory. Among them is “When God Said Remember”, a missionary book in paperback format by Mark Finley. It will offer Bible truths about the Sabbath, its origin, history, and relevance today.
“There is a people in need of the bread of life in Inter-America,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, as he spoke about the plans for the book. “Four unions have made the decision to secure 2 million of these books, and we want to encourage the rest of the unions to join in and think on the missionary work, to reaching more people in our territory.”
IADPA also reported on its various colporteur projects in place, presented the devotionals for 2011 and the New Adventist Hymnal in Spanish, among others. For a list of available books and publications, visit www.iadpa.org
Montemorelos University Board
As an institution operated by the Inter-American Division, Montemrelos University, under the leadership of its president Dr. Ismael Castillo, presented its development plan for its campus, its current student enrollment, new offered careers and expansion plans during its board committee.
Part of its eight-year campus development plan will include building new residence halls and a 4,000-seat auditorium, as well as a new main entrance. There are also unfinished buildings and classrooms which are scheduled to be completed, as well as repairs to its hospital facilities and a new laboratory for its medical school. Industries located on campus are slated to be relocated off campus.
The Montemorelos University Board also voted several new careers and appointed faculty staff for its institution.
For more information on Montemorelos University and its programs and activities, go to www.um.edu.mx
IATS
The Inter-American Theological Seminary (IATS), which provides master’s and doctoral degrees to its ministers throughout the territory, announced through its board meeting that it has obtained candidacy status once again from the Association of Theological Schools as of February 2010 and is expecting to received full accreditation later this year.
In addition, IATS is seeking academic accreditation from the Middle States for its upcoming academic degrees.
Plans are also underway to offer master’s degrees in youth ministries, chaplaincy ministries, and religious education, as well as a PhD in New Testament and Old Testament studies. For more information on IATS and its programs, visit www.interamerica.org
IEC
The Inter-American Education Center, a center offering undergraduate courses online in association with Griggs University, plans to expand its degrees in the next few years, according to Myrna Costa, director of the center and president of the Antillean Adventist University of Puerto Rico.
The Center plans to offer a master’s degree in church administration and leadership, as well as a master’s degree in online design instruction. Costa encouraged church administrators from each union to enlist at least 10 of their teachers for their master’s degree.
IEC also plans to cater to the hundreds of teachers throughout Inter-America’s schools and universities with undergraduate degrees in Spanish, English, and French. For more information on IEC http://iec-interamerica.org
Board of Higher Education
The Board of Higher Education reported that Bible textbooks for secondary schools (grades 7-12) will be available in three languages in 2012. Bible textbooks for grades K-6 have already been distributed to hundreds of elementary schools.
Plans are underway to integrate the Adventist philosophy into textbooks which will be made available to Adventist schools in the territory in all three languages.
“We are working with a publisher to incorporate our philosophy into all subjects taught in our schools — English, Spanish, math, biology, chemistry, physics, and more — that comply with each country and our standards,” said Dr. Moises Velazquez, education director for the church in Inter-America. Special commissions have been established to study and verify all textbooks to be used throughout Adventist schools in Inter-America.
Other items recommended were the assessment of teachers, appointment of commissions and coordinators for education at all three levels of education.
Church leaders will continue to meet during this week to vote on initiatives and plans affecting the church in Inter-America.
For more on the Inter-American Executive Committee meetings, visit www.interamerica.org
