Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union Takes the Win in Annual Bible Connection

November 25, 2023 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-America Division News

Hector Merino of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union was crowned top winner of Inter-America’s territory-wide Bible Connection competition this year held online today in Bogota, Colombia. Merino, age 30, led with a score of 1,250 total points, beating 23 other regional finalists in the annual event held across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America. He answered all 100 questions in a time of 8:19 minutes. He was cheered on by his wife Sarai, who held their baby son, during the Inter-American Division’s (IAD) grand finale event.

Daniel Hernández of Central Mexican Union trailed behind taking the second spot with a score of 1,250 points and a completion time of 9:04. Hernández, age 22, who took the fourth place in last year’s finale held in Jamaica, said he was delighted to be among the three top spots and is looking forward again taking part in the territory-wide bible studying event.

Dianelys López of Cuba Union grabbed the third spot with a total score of 1,250 points, completed in 11:04 minutes. López, age 24, smiled big and jumped for joy as she heard her name announced as the third place winner. She was unable to travel outside her home country due to visa issues but was thankful to take part of the annual competition from the offices of the Cuba Union in Havana.

Top three winners were able to choose among three prizes: a laptop computer, an iPad, or an iPhone.

Adventist universities offering scholarships to the top winners included Montemorelos University with one year scholarship; Central American Adventist University, in Costa Rica, with one year scholarship, Linda Vista in Mexico with partial scholarship for four semesters. In addition, Spicer University in India also offered partial coverage for 4 years.

All 24 finalists participating this year also received a medal and prizes for taking part in this year’s finale competition, said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America.

“You are now ambassadors that God has chosen so that you can testify to the world and those in the 1040 Window that the true God is Jehovah,” said Powell. “With God’s Word you will help others transform their lives, so keep on studying the Bible and you will do great things for Him.”

This Bible Connection is all about getting more young people in forming the habit of studying their bibles and drawing important life lessons as they face daily challenges in their lives, said Powell.

Finalists answered 100 multiple choice questions worth 5, 10, 15 and 20 points on the Book of Judges and from Adventist co-founder Ellen. G. White’s Patriarchs and Prophets, chapters 19, 52, and 53.  The online four-hour program was held at the Palermo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bogota, Colombia, with 22 finalists in person and two finalists participating online during the live event from Cuba and Haiti.

The finale competition program included music, prayer and spiritual messages before finalists answered five rounds of questions.

To view the live stream of Inter-America’s Bible Connection program, go to webcast.interamerica.org

Victor Martinez contributed information to this report.