In Southeast Mexico, Adventists march for respect and honesty amid rising violence

Hundreds of Pathfinders march for respect and honesty through the streets of  Villahermosa, in South Tabasco, Mexico, on Sep. 4, 2016.  Dozens of clubs held banners and signs on the moral values the church teaches, amid a rising crime rate in the city. Images by Ministerio Juvenil Sur de Tabasco.

September 21, 2016 | Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico | IAD Staff

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist young people from dozens of pathfinder clubs in the state of Tabasco marched for respect, honesty and moral values during a large event held earlier this month. In uniform and holding banners and signs on the moral values the church teaches, the march made history in Villahermosa, one of the cities in Mexico perceived as the most insecure.

A Pathfinder holds signs for truth, strength, no bullying, punctuality.

In a city with a rising crime rate according to statistics and media reports, the march was a positive activity for young people to take part in.

“Our main challenge in Tabasco is making the Adventist youth known as different citizens committed to God and society, looking to model values like honesty and respect,” said Jaime Velazquez, president of the church in South Tabasco,  who marched next to nearly 600 pathfinders and church leaders on Sep. 4, 2016.

State religious affairs leaders praised the church for the nature of the activity through the main streets and avenues of the city, said Victor Martinez, youth ministries director for the church in South Tabasco.   “Our march was very peaceful with a positive message for the people here,” said Martinez.

Martinez said that during an interview with city officials last year, the two values that came up as most needed in the city were honesty and respect.  “So we decided to gather all our pathfinders during a special fair with activities they learned in a public plaza and finished with the march.”

Pathfinders march through the streets of Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico.

Pathfinders gathered at the Bicenteniario Plaza and distributed pamphlets with five different themes on what happens after death, forgiveness of sins, the Second Coming of Christ, a day of rest and the mortality of man.

“Many people and drivers stopped to request more information for their children to be part of the pathfinder clubs in the Adventist Churches in the city,” said Martinez.

The South Tabasco Conference is one our of seven conferences and missions in the Southeast Mexican Union. There are more than 92,150 Seventh-day Adventists worshiping in 1,129 churches and congregations in the Southeast Mexican Union.