Church members in Inter-America among the most generous around the world
May 15, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD
IAD Treasurer Filiberto Verduzco boasts about the generosity of the church members across the Inter-American Division territory during his financial report on May 14, during day three of executive committee meetings in Miami, Florida. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD
“The church member in Inter-America is doubly generous than the average member around the world church.” Those were the words of Inter-American Division’s (IAD) Treasurer Filiberto Verduzco, as he began his financial report to executive committee members gathered for the church’s annual business meetings in Miami, Florida, held this week.
“I want to publicly thank the Lord for how good He has been to the church in Inter-America this past year,” said Verduzco. “So we have nothing to fear because the evidences of His blessings are so strong, that in that assurance we praise the Lord.”
There are a few unions in the territory where financial administrators have followed their footprint for years,” said Verduzco. One being the church member in Haiti who gives 11.36 percent of offering in relation to tithe, and “this makes him or her the most generous member in the world church,” he added.
The member in Dominican union comes in second giving approximately 10.48 percent of offering funds compared to tithe.
Graph showing tithing funds submitted to the Adventist World Church in 2014.
Eight more unions from Venezuela, Mexico and Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador give between 7.64 percent to 9.62 percent of offerings compared to tithe, explained Verduzco. The rest of the 12 world Divisions give approximately 7 percent of offering compared to tithe.
“It is incredibly generous on the part of our members in Inter-America,” added Verduzco.
The treasurer went on to explain that in 2014 the tithe contribution to the world church from the IAD was 10 percent of the total tithe amount collected. The North American Division (NAD) tithe collected represents 40 percent and the rest of the world church divisions, or non-NAD divisions, contribute 60 percent of the total tithe amount collected worldwide.
Ivelisse Herrera, IAD under treasurer presents figures during the financial report
“This just shows you how financially committed the church in Inter-America is,” said Verduzco. “We have a generous church committed to fulfilling the mission of the church not only at a local range but in the context of a global church. That is why I believe the Lord blesses.”
The blessings overshadow the fact that most of the currencies across the territory are weak currencies and just a handful are strong ones. Verduzco reported that during the last five years, the currencies have weakened deeply, however tithe increase is noticeable but the decrease has been felt when measured annually.
In his report, Verduzco said that 72 percent of the operation income comes from weak currencies and 28 percent from stable currencies. Currencies from Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Haiti represent 54 percent of the operating income. “It’s brought challenges but God continues to see us through.”
As of December 2014, the working capital was at 217 percent and Liquidity at 232 percent
Hope Channel Inter-America funding
Also reported to the committee members was the financial plan and funds needed to run the three new television channels comprising Hope Channel Inter-America, an endeavor that will cost nearly 7 million dollars during the next five years.
Leaders took an action to request specific funds from the General Conference to finance part of the expenses which include satellite connection, equipment, and materials.
IAD Associate Treasurer Guillermo Gonzalez presents the new auditing software which will be implemented in 390 organizations and 12,100 churches across the territory.
Challenge of auditing organizations
Committee members were presented with a new plan of financial audits or financial inspections for the 390 organizations and 12,100 churches which are not audited by the General Conference Auditing System (GCAS). Only 189 organizations are audited by GCAS, said Guillermo Gonzalez, IAD associate treasurer.
A new online software program will begin working throughout the organizations needing audits by the IAD using all of the local auditors responding to a general auditor.
“The challenge is very big, but we must have such a system in place so we can better manage the financial system in the Division,” added Gonzalez. The system should be implemented this year across the territory.
Financial arrangement in Mexico
Amid legal and fiscal challenges in some IAD countries, Mexico has been the biggest challenge, said Pastor Israel Leito, IAD president, as he spoke to more than 100 church executive committee members.
“We have had to create a system for the financial management of church funds for the five major church regions in Mexico,” added Pastor Leito. The office established in Mexico City will be as an extension of the Division in financial matters.
Florencio Suarez, who was appointed to head that office six months ago, will support in developing and implementing issues to better manage the finances within Mexico.
13th Sabbath Offering
Leaders voted three unions as recipients of a 13th Sabbath Offering in 2018: Antillean Adventist University in the Puerto Rican Union to go towards the construction of the church, The University of Southern Caribbean in Trinidad towards the construction of the campus church, and the Southeast Adventist Hospital in Southeast Mexican Union towards upgrading hospital facility.
Leaders also voted to decide to vote on specific projects for the next 13th Sabbath Offering funds submitted by IAD unions.
“We will evaluate the importance of the projects submitted and make the choice by project and not by sequencing unions,” said Pastor Leito.
In addition, church leaders were updated on the changes of the employee protection plan benefits, updates on technology advances for the Division including cyber security strategy, as well as investment on video conference and telephone system in use across the territory.
To learn more about the Inter-American Division, visit us at interamerica.org
To view IAD’s photo gallery, click HERE