Inter-America’s Institutional Boards Report on Progress and Plans Ahead

November 9, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Four institutional boards overseen by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) recently reported their growth, financial progress, and plans for the coming year. Dozens of board members met online to be briefed on updates on the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary, Montemorelos University, GEMA Editors and the Board of Higher Education boards on Oct. 27, 2022.

IATS

Board leaders of the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (IATS), which offers masters and doctoral degrees to ministers across the IAD, reported on its completed headquarters office inaugurated earlier this year and pointed to its graduate degree programs.

Out of the 507 students enrolled, 21 are women and 486 are men, reported Dr. Efrain Velázquez, president of IATS. “We have seen an excellent behavior throughout all of our [teaching] sites this year,” he said. The projection for 2023 will see an increase in remote classes which is more cost effective, board leaders said. Classes scheduled total 86 which includes 45 in-person classes and 41 remote classes.

The student manual with new policies for research and dissertations will be completed by the end of the year, he reported. The manual for faculty has already been completed and more work will be dedicated to creating new classes and refocusing the curriculum with more Adventist history, theology and more.

Board members voted on academic and financial reports for 2022 as well as strategic plans to follow in the coming years.

In addition, board members voted to grant the Angel Manuel Rodriguez Excellence Award to Dr. Feliberto Martínez who recently retired from the Dominican Adventist University after serving the church for 40 years. Martinez served as a theology dean, professor, university president, author, and thesis advisor, among other responsibilities.

Montemorelos University

“Montemorelos University educates integrally with a sustainable educational model based on research and selfless service that unite for the global biblical proclamation of the Adventist hope of a new world,” read Dr. Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, as he began his report to board members.

The division institution, which is celebrating its 80^th anniversary celebrations before the end of the year, is planning a new simulation science center, remodeling of the on campus high school building, construction of classrooms in the school of architecture, classrooms in the music building, and more.

The university will have numerous evaluations beginning with its school of medicine as well as an evaluation by the Adventist Accrediting Association.

Among the challenges ahead for the university is to ensure that its current and new faculty and staff understand the strategic plans carried out by the institution. “According to our study, 25 members of our staff will retire in four years, and 99 in the next 10 years,” said Castillo. That means it’s important to ensure that when new staff are recruited, they adopt and commit to following on course with the strategic plans of the institution.

University leaders are also looking ahead to the increase in the number of students, the challenge of inflation, ensuring that church members have the conviction that Adventist education is still important and relevant in the mission of the church, as well as the financial challenges of salary and benefits for faculty and staff, and more.

Board members honored Raquel Korniejczuk, who has been serving for 24 years as the academic vice president of Montemorelos University and has requested a permanent return to her home country of Argentina to care for her mother.

Castillo informed board members that there will not be an interim vice president of academic affairs because of legal issues and Korniejczuk will continue assisting in a long-distance capacity until graduation in May. In the meantime, a search committee will seek her replacement.

GEMA Editors

Board members of GEMA Editors, one of two publishing houses in the Inter-American Division serving the church in Mexico exclusively, were briefed about production activities, finances, editorial projects, and development plans.

Board members were briefed on a new plan to assist student literature evangelists, who are overseeing the work of at least 20 student literature evangelists during the school year, to receive a scholarship for a theology degree at one of three Adventist universities in Mexico. The educational assistance will include funds from the division, union, local field, and Adventist university in Mexico.  “The plan looks to benefit the publishing associate, motivate more to take part in student literature evangelism, and benefit the church’s mission as well,” said Pastor Moises Reyna, president of GEMA.

“We praise God for His providence with GEMA so that it can continue serving the church, assisting student literature evangelists, and bless those who are not Adventist, as well as pastors, brothers and sisters who can continue to be interested in the church publications,” Reyna said.

The year saw GEMA print 132 productions for the church and for literature evangelists to sell, 2 million copies of missionary materials such as bible studies, magazines and more, as well as 5.5 million samples of books for children, health, recipe books, and five devotionals, among others.

Financial officers also reported that the net sales were higher in 2022 than in 2019 before the pandemic hit.

GEMA Editors runs 45 bookstores across Mexico with one recently inaugurated bookstore in Tuxtla Gutierrez, in Chiapas.

Board members voted the financial report for 2022 presented during the institution’s meeting.

Board of Education and Higher Education

“God has seen us through our Adventist educational system throughout the IAD with 117 children, young people and parents recently baptized thanks to the work of teachers and chaplains,” said Dr. Faye Patterson, education director for the IAD.

Five universities were accredited during the year and schools continue to hold high enrollment numbers, reported Patterson.

Board members voted to register the opening of the first bilingual Adventist school in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, which was recently approved by the union. In addition, board members approved the use of the Identity Guidelines for the IAD educational system where it indicates the proper use of the logo, its placement, and colors.

Dozens of primary and secondary schools were registered for upcoming evaluations. In addition, five schools under university management will be up for evaluation next year.

Board members also approved career programs offered at Adventist universities throughout the IAD and approved endorsement of theology professors to teach at Antillean Adventist University, Dominican Adventist University and Montemorelos University.