February 4, 2011 – Alajuela, Costa Rica…Odaly Mendoza/Jonathan Argumedo/IAD Staff
Church leaders, faculty and students witnessed the inauguration of the new Ellen G. White Research Center, located at Central American Adventist University in Alajuela, Costa Rica, on Jan. 30. The facility becomes the first such research center for the Adventist Church in Central America, and the third in Inter-America.
Students, professors and the general public will have access to copies of the theology writings of Ellen G. White (EGW), one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, at the specially-designed, 559-sq. meter center. The facility boasts a library of 745 books in English and 246 in Spanish, in addition to manuscripts and letters written by EGW.
The center features the only replica in the world of EGW’s writing room. It also houses two large classrooms, one which will hold 41 students, and the other 36. Doctorate and master’s degrees in theology will be offered in the classrooms. There is also an office, a small museum, reception area, and waiting room.
Pastor James Nix, director of the White Estate based in Silver Spring, Maryland, was a guest speaker at the inaugural event. He spoke of EGW experiences and motivated those in attendance to learn more of her life with the valuable information contained in the new center.
Pastor Leon B. Wellington, vice president and coordinator of the Spirit of Prophecy and research centers of the church in Inter-America, spoke of the new center as one of the best facilities in Inter-America and the world.
“This center is for the Adventist community and for those who decide to learn more of our church history,” Wellington said.
As the ribbon cutting ceremony took place, Nix asked those gathering to invite people to the center.
Herminia Perla, president of Central American Adventist University, thanked the Inter-American Division and the four union offices in Central America for their support in establishing the new facility.
“We praise God for all of His blessings to this institution and for the support in the building the center which will serve as an instrument for the developing the faculty, students and the community,” Perla said.
The new White Research Center in Costa Rica will be under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Akyiano.
The Ellen G. White Estate is the official organization created by Ellen G. White to act as the custodian of her writings. Based at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, with which it works closely, the White Estate oversees research centers at Adventist universities and colleges around the world.
To learn more on The Ellen G. White Estate and its research centers, go to www.whiteestate.org
To learn more of the Central American Adventist University and its programs, go to www.unadeca.net
