November 4, 2011 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD
During recent meetings, top Seventh-day Adventist leaders from throughout the church in Inter-America were updated on the development and financial progress of its top institutional organizations. Church leaders also reported on the future plans and programs during a full day of meetings on Oct. 27, 2011 at the church headquarters in Miami, Florida.
IATS
The Inter-American Theological Seminary (IATS), an institution which offers graduate degrees in English, Spanish and French exclusively to active Adventist ministers, recently received its accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
It is a milestone which is the result of hard work by church leaders and will ensure that hundreds of ministers will be better equipped to lead the growing educated membership in Inter-America, said Dr. Jaime Castrejon, president of IATS.
IATS is now accredited by the highest accrediting organization which approves post-graduate professional and academic degrees in the practice of ministry and research in theological disciplines for the United States and Canada until 2018.
IATS’ 10 sites are located in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Venezuela.
IEC
The Inter-American Education Center, which offers undergraduate courses and graduate courses online in English and Spanish, continues its association with Griggs University.
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, told the dozens of board members that “IEC is not an extension of Griggs University but we are already taking the steps for full accreditation.”
David Siguelnitzky, president of IEC reported that some 76 students are enrolled in the institution, and new master degrees are being offered.
“IEC is working arduously to better serve a wider public in Inter-America and other divisions,” said Siguelnitzky.
Siguelnitzky also reported that IEC has a new phone application for Android and soon will be available for Blackberry and iPhones. For more information on IEC, visit http://www.iec-interamerica.org/
IAHFC
The Inter-America health Food Company reported on its operating budget for 2012 and its challenges during the 12 months.
“Our branches have had many difficult years, the worst year being in 2009, but the work of providing nutritional products continues,” said Joel Zukovski, general manager of IAHFC. Zukovski showed the growth of the institution since 1996 and showed the projected sales up to 2015.
IAHFC continues to support in the mission of the church through its seven major branches throughout Inter-America in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad, and Venezuela, Zukovski said..
Through its branches and warehouses, IAHFC provides nutritional products such as soya milk, vegetable protein, whole wheat products and more.
IADPA
The Inter-American Division Publishing Association, one of two publishing houses operated by the church in Inter-America, reported total sales of $9.1 million in 2011, an increase of more than half a million since 2010.
IADPA also reported a number of its new products including the Spanish Hymnal on CD and the massive printing of the Great Controversy book project to be available for distribution throughout Inter-America. With nearly 3 million copies to be available in English, Spanish and French, the project promises to help territory-wide efforts to motivate church members to pursue a spiritual revival through prayer and bible study.
Top church leaders boasted about the comprehensive project during the board meeting.
“We are the only Division in the world church that is publishing the Great Controversy in its entirety,” said Pastor Leito as he reflected on the value placed on the entire book scheduled to be available and shared in Inter-America.
IADPA also reported its challenges the publishing house has faced through the increase in printing costs and the efforts to decrease their high inventory in their warehouse.
The publishing house also reported its top selling book as being “Steps to Christ” by Ellen G. White with over 54,500 copies sold.
The book “I Would Marry You Again,” authored by IADPA editor Fernando Zabala with nearly 18,000 copies sold in the last nine months and over 52,000 in the past two and a half years, reported Pablo Perla, president of IADPA.
“Revive us Again” by Mark Finley with some 14,549 copies total sold in the recent months.
IADPA gave a special tribute to Adventist author Richard O’Ffill for his contribution to the church and next year’s IAD featured devotional in English, Spanish and French, entitled “In His Footsteps.”
“It is a joy to recognize this man of God who has been a blessing to the church,” said Perla of O’Ffill. “Many will be blessed in our territory as they read this special devotional.”
IADPA also reported that it now has 25 titles available on e-books as well as additional resources.
For more information on IADPA and its products, visit http://www.iadpa.org/
GEMA
GEMA Editors, Inter-America’s second largest publishing house serving Mexico, reported its progress and available publications throughout their dozens of Adventist bookstores.
The publishing house continues its plan to reproduce nearly one million copies of the Great Controversy book for distribution throughout the four major regions of Mexico.
GEMA leaders committed to producing and printing Adventist magazines, books and co-productions with Pacific Press, Review and Herald and IADPA.
For more information on GEMA and its products, visit www.gemaeditores.com.mx
Montemorelos University Board
Montemorelos University, as the only institution operated directly by the IAD, reported its growth, its campus development plans and its current finances during the end-of-the year board meeting.
Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, reported on the improvements made since a number of recommendations were made by different accrediting visits to the institutions. Leaders voted to accept the 18 completed recommendations out of the 59 observations. The remaining 40 recommendations from accrediting organizations in Mexico as well as the Adventist Accrediting Association are in the process of being fulfilled, assured Castillo.
Development plans on campus include the construction of university dormitories, expansion of the cafeteria, a student center and the improvement of the infrastructure for sports and recreation areas.
For more information on Montemorelos University and its programs, visit www.um.edu.mx
BHE
Inter-America’s Board of Higher Education approved a number of programs for several Adventist universities throughout the territory.
Linda Vista University in South Mexico and its extension campus were approved to offer a B.S. in Nutrition and B.S. in Nutrition.
University of Southern Caribbean in Trinidad received approval of its B.S. in mathematics, Chemistry, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting and a Master in Business Administration.
The Central American Adventist University in Costa Rica received approval for its M.A. in Education Administration. Also, Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica received approval for a doctorate of Public Health in Epidemiology and Global Health.
In addition, board members voted to pass on to the International Board of Education the request of Montemorelos University for authorization to offer a M.A. in Family Relations at a distance modality with consultant centers in Romania and a cohort of the Doctorate in Education in a mixed modality through an affiliation agreement.
To view photos of Inter-America’s institutional board meetings held recently, click here
