Mexico: Adventist Church inaugurates new union headquarters in Chiapas

Pastor Ignacio Navarro, president of the church in the Chiapas Mexican Union and Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, cut the ribbon during a special ceremony to inaugurate the brand new headquarter offices located in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico, on October 27, 2013. Image by Abel Marquez.

November 4, 2013 – Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico…Daniel Guzman/IAD Staff

The Seventh-day Adventist leaders in Chiapas, Mexico, inaugurated a new union headquarter office during a special ceremony held on October 27, 2013. The event gathered government representatives and top leaders throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory to witness the cutting of the ribbon and tour the new facility.

Seventh-day Adventist leaders from throughout Inter-America, along with government and community leaders in Chiapas, Mexico, tour the new headquarter office of the Chiapas Union located in Tuxtla Gutierrez, after an inaugural ceremony which took place on October 27, 2013. Image by Abel Marquez/IAD

Inter-American Division President Pastor Israel Leito praised local church leaders for their leadership in the construction of the three-story and reminded them of the responsibility the church has in its surrounding community.

“The Adventist Church is a church of the community and one that represents the Lord our God in a dignified way,” said Pastor Leito. “The church is to be a testimony of service and one to beautify the community where it stands.”

Pastor Leito was joined by hundreds of executive committee members who traveled to Chiapas for the ceremony and the church’s business meetings last week.

Pastor Ignacio Navarro, president of the church in Chiapas, spoke on what the new facility represents.

The new three-story building includes a large reception area, a 240-seat auditorium, a media studio, 22 office spaces, several conference rooms, and a fully equipped kitchen. Image by Abel Marquez/IAD

“These offices represent the dream, the sacrifice and faithfulness of the church in Chiapas,” said Pastor Navarro. “This building will be a testimony to the flag of Jesus which has been placed here to give testimony of a people who are firm, active and is preparing for the Second Coming.”

Government and municipal leaders joined the hundreds of church leaders and members as the ribbon was cut, a Bible was carried, and flags representing each of the six regional offices comprising the union territory were placed inside the new church headquarters. The program continued with music and a special program honoring leaders who contributed to the growth of the church in Chiapas throughout the past decades.

The new three-story building, which was built in only seven months, includes a large reception area, a 240-seat auditorium, a media studio, 22 offices, several conference rooms, and a fully equipped kitchen.

The Chiapas Mexican Union was reorganized in 2012, formerly belonging to the South Mexican Union. It oversees five conferences and one mission. The Chiapas Mexican Union has more than 214,000 church members worshiping in 834 churches.