Among Unprecedented Positive Results, Treasurer Gives All the Glory to God

November 3, 2023 | Miami, Florida, United States | Inter-American Division News

The financial position of the Inter-American Division (IAD) is strong, and we give all the glory and honor to God, IAD treasurer Ivelisse Herrera shared at the beginning of her report to the members of the IAD Executive Committee on Nov. 1, 2023. The report, titled, “The Financial Soundness to Support the Mission,” saw Herrera and her team share the numbers, the story behind the numbers, and the lessons for the numbers with scores of church leaders, administrators, and lay delegates to the 2023 IAD Year-End Meetings in Miami, Florida, United States.

“It’s true that the efforts of all of us can be seen reflected in the results we have achieved, we should never forget what Apostle Paul said when he wrote that God gives the increase [1 Cor. 3:6],” said Herrera. “We are just instruments in God’s hands.”

Tithes and offerings

The positive results are reflected in the amount of tithes and offerings from January-October 2023, in comparison with 2022. Herrera reported that tithes in the IAD have experienced an almost 16 percent increase when converted to US dollars. “It is an unprecedented increase in the history of Inter-American Division,” she said.

She explained that 23 unions reporting experienced growth, with the South Central American (SCAU) and the West Venezuela Unions showing a 26 percent increase in tithes collected in 2023. Offerings have also increased an impressive 18.46 percent, reported Herrera. “The information we are sharing here is evidence of the faithfulness of church members across the Inter-American Division,” said Herrera.

But that does not tell the whole story, she said, as offering have increased substantially also when calculated in local currencies. Even when considering that inflation may have affected these figures in some countries and the current strength of the Mexican Peso, several unions experienced a never-seen-before increase of more than 30 percent in offerings calculated in local currencies. One union even reported a 43 percent increase, said Herrera. “Throughout our territory there have been increases, and we praise God for His blessings,” she said.

 

Everyone benefits

Positive financial results trickled up and trickled down to various parts of the Adventist organization, Herrera’s report showed. For instance, the per-policy contribution of the IAD to the General Conference (the world church headquarters) increased 18 percent. And additional tithing funds sent to the GC increased 45 percent compared to 2022. This is because the region’s net tithe income experienced a 19 percent increase, and non-tithe income a 23 percent. The total operating income experienced a 10.8 percent increase, Herrera reported, while expenses remain the same. At the same time, appropriations to the field (to the IAD unions) increased almost 12 percent more than what was sent in 2022 and 49 percent over budget.

“When seeing these numbers, I think you will agree with me that we must repeat the words of Samuel the prophet,” said Herrera in reference to 1 Samuel 7:12, where it reads, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Herrera then called for a prayer of gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.

Following a policy of the GC, which calls for a regular accountability report on the use of tithe, Herrera shared that in 2022, most IAD tithe amounts were spent in the regional headquarters operations (28.8 percent) and appropriations to unions (27.8 percent). Besides non-used funds, the rest of the amount was used for retirement contributions and Adventist education, she reported. Unions and local fields, on the other hand, spent 40.7 percent for pastors, evangelists, and workers in the field; 27.8 for the headquarters operations; and 11.2 percent in education, among other items.

Operating budget

After Herrera, IAD Under Treasurer Abilio Cima shared the operating budget for 2024.

“The Lord has done marvelous things in the territory of Inter-America; therefore, the honor and glory are His,” said Cima as he thanked the treasurer for her “complete and precise report,” the treasury team, and every union that sent the reports on time.

Cima shared that as of October 31, liabilities are just 35.6 percent of the total assets against 64.4 percent net assets (which have experienced a 10 percent increase in 2023). He was happy to report that liabilities (or debts) have decreased 4 percent since the beginning of 2023. The surplus reported at the end of October showed a large amount, Cima reported, and the IAD expenses are under budget.

At the same time, Cima reported that working capital (assets minus liabilities) experienced a 9 percent increase is currently 23.5 months, almost doubling what is required by policy. Liquidity (the ability to pay debts when they fall due) experienced an 8 percent increase and more than doubles what is required, he reported.

Cima explained that to create a budget, IAD financial leaders based their projections on an average of tithes and offerings in the last five years. Figures for 2024 represent a 4 and 12 percent increase compared to the previous budget, he reported. Almost half of the funds are assigned to cover for the workers’ expenses, and 24.3 percent will be sent to unions as appropriations.

In closing, Cima acknowledged that after working in the Adventist church organization for more than 36 years and witnessing the trajectory of the IAD, he can attest that, as Adventist Church co-founder Ellen G. White said, “we have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us.”

Behind the numbers

Herrera then emphasized some key points behind the figures. First, she said, leaders are aware that the resources the Lord provides come from the hands and hearts of faithful and generous members as they return their tithes and offerings. “Behind this growth, there are faithful members who want the work to move forward,” she said. “It is why I want to share not only about what we have received but also about the use we are giving to those resources.”

In the next few minutes, Herrera shared that in the first 10 months in 2023, the IAD has sent the territory funds to support activities in evangelism, education, and community service. Out of those large funds, monies have been invested in evangelism, including $600,000 for The Great Controversy initiative and another thousands for projects related to Mission to the Cities, among others. “We support the mission with the resources God provides to His church, including educational resources, Sabbath School materials, and books for church members,” Herrera shared.

The IAD also sent funds for education and spiritual strengthening of church members, including free materials on principles of stewardship. In addition, funds were assigned to institutional development projects in the territory, including church buildings, auditoriums, and university remodelling initiatives.

According to Herrera, the regional church also supports mission by providing free leadership training in the financial area. Those meetings include discussing the importance of transparency and accountability, of church financial policy, and reminding financial leaders of best practices in their areas of responsibility, she said.

Lessons learned

“I think that, given the fact that we are a church division that has been blessed, the IAD needs, in turn, be a blessing for others,” shared Herrera. “By God’s grace, our division fulfills God’s mission not only in our territory,” she said, explaining that mission offerings sent to the GC to October 2023, are 22 percent above what was sent a year before. “This is something that I find outstanding, because it speaks of our commitment to the world church.”

Herrera closed by reminding leaders that there might be good times but also hard times ahead. “But we are not focused on those circumstances but on using God’s armor, because our success comes from God,” she said. She quoted White, who wrote, “It is not our numbers nor our wealth that will give us a signal victory; but it is the devotion to the work, moral courage, ardent love for souls, and untiring unflagging zeal” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 44).

Feedback from leaders

IAD President Pastor Elie Henry congratulated Herrera and her team for what he called “her outstanding report.” “It shows how God is leading,” Pastor Henry said, “but also think that God is adding His blessings because we make great efforts to be faithful.”

South Central American President Ricardo Marín agreed, adding that he sees that “in the IAD, there’s marriage between stewardship and treasury, and that ‘marriage’ is being blessed by God,” he said.

South Colombia Union President Alvaro Niño thanked God and the IAD administration for its financial support to initiatives in its territory. “Thank you from all our hearts,” he said. Caribbean Union Treasurer Bertie Henry also thanked IAD’s administration and financial leaders for their support to mission, adding that the region’s budget and financial planning highlight “that our focus is to support mission” throughout the territory. Another treasurer, Pastor Adlai Blythe, treasurer of the Jamaica Union, celebrated the fact that the report was understandable and transparent.

Alexis Pérez, an appointed member and administrator of the Southeast Adventist Hospital, on the other hand, celebrated the spiritual focus of the financial presentation, which, according to him, was a lesson that he learned and is taking with him “We need to be acknowledging our church members who contribute and give the glory to God.”

Other leaders said that after the report, they felt motivated to work, while others thanked the administration for its support to their territories in moments of crisis. Clara Díaz, a rotative lay member from Panamá, said she felt gratitude after seeing how leaders work united, which she found encouraging. “We will keep working with great effort, because we love God and love His work,” she said.

Montemorelos University president Ismael Castillo asked what the IAD is planning to do with the extra funds. “I think that being in such a positive state includes great responsibility,” he said. As a way of an answer, Pastor Henry explained that part of the extra funds will be assigned to cover losses from the previous year, and that there’s no doubt the church’s plans and projects will benefit from those monies.

Finally, GC Associate Treasurer Josue Pierre thanked God for His blessings and the treasury department for “the stellar stewardship and management of the finances.” “The excellent and clear report demonstrates that you are prudent with the Lord’s finances… The Inter-American Division remains one of our strongest and model divisions in our church,” he said.

That’s what we want, Pastor Henry replied. “Go together stronger and stronger in mission.”