IAD Wraps Up Quinquennial Bible Competition Cycle with El Salvador Victory

Ruben Maltez wins Bible Connection grand finale during virtual event, earning a delegate seat at the upcoming General Conference Session.

May 16, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News Staff

Leaders of the Inter-American Division (IAD) celebrated as Ruben Maltez, representing the El Salvador Union, claimed first place in the grand finale of the quinquennial Bible Connection competition, livestreamed on May 6, 2025.

The event hosted from Miami, Florida, brought together IAD Executive Committee members and featured the top five winners from annual competitions held since 2020. Each finalist participated remotely from their home country, vying for the title of Bible Connection Champion.

A Chance to Represent at the GC Session

Held every five years, the Bible Connection finale offers previous grand prize winners the opportunity to compete for a special honor: becoming a youth delegate at the upcoming General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This year’s session will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, from July 2–12, 2025.

Maltez, 22, who first won in 2020, answered 55 questions correctly and scored 1,513 points, earning him the top spot. He was visibly joyful as he was surrounded by friends and mentors at Antillean Adventist University in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where he is currently studying.

“I feel so thankful, first of all, to God—because this has only been possible through Him,” said Maltez. He expressed gratitude to his brother Isaac, his self-described “Bible coach,” who supported him from the beginning. Maltez also thanked his friends and shared how meaningful it was to study the Book of Luke again for this finale.

Thanks to the scholarship he received as Bible Connection Champion, Maltez is now pursuing a degree in Accounting and Business Management.

“Throughout the years, studying the Bible during camporees, union competitions, and annually has been a great blessing to me—especially during moments when I needed it most, like in 2020 when I found the support I needed the most,” he reflected.

Maltez continues to encourage young people to participate in Bible Connection. “This will truly change your life,” he said. “I’ve experienced that connection with God through His Word.”

Celebrating All the Finalists

Pastor Abel Pacheco, president of the El Salvador Union, accepted the first-place trophy on Maltez’s behalf during the live program. The competition was close: Yerid Ruiz of the Nicaragua Union, the 2021 winner, followed with 1,502 points.

The remaining finalists included Héctor Merico, 2023 winner, Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union, in third place with 1,375 points; Anthony Guevaram 2022 winner, West Venezuela Union, with 1,325 points; and Bryan Rodríguez, 2024 winner from Cuba Union with 1,229 points.

Finalists competed in six rounds, answering questions based on the Book of Luke, chapters 1–24, Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White, chapters 12, 25, and 86, and the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, chapters 2, 4, and 22–24.

This year’s competition introduced time-based scoring and risk-reward questions, allowing participants to earn more points for faster, accurate responses, explained Pastor Al Powell, IAD Youth Ministries Director and main organizer.

“You are all champions because you have been studying God’s Word,” said Pastor Elie Henry, IAD President, addressing the finalists. “Most of you have received scholarships from our institutions, and you have shown once again the blessings that come from studying the Bible.”

IAD administrators and union presidents also participated in the question segments throughout the six rounds.

Inspiring the Next Generation

In a pre-recorded message, Pastor Busi Khumalo, Youth Ministries Director of the General Conference, encouraged the finalists to continue daily Bible reading and prayer.

“When we pray, we speak to God. When we read the Bible, God speaks to us,” he said. “This is your GPS. Young people are watching—you are inspiring others. So continue to seek the Lord through prayer and study so more knowledge may be given to you.”

To see the five winners get to participate in the quinquennial finale event has been a blessing said Powell. “These young people have demonstrated strong Bible knowledge and shown real commitment and transformation through their study journey,” he said. “Studying the Bible leaves an indelible impression on the hearts of children and young people who dedicate themselves to it.”

That’s the objective for the for the hundreds of thousands who have participated in the Bible Connection initiative over the years.

More than 1.5 million young people across the IAD territory are impacted by the Bible Connection initiative, which began in 2004 and now includes participants as young as four years old in Adventurer Clubs.

“This journey is all about motivating young people to connect daily with God’s Word—which is really Jesus,” added Powell.

Union administrators were recognized for their consistent support in involving children and youth in the Bible Connection initiative across their territories throughout the quinquennium.

To view Inter-America’s grand finale competition held May 6, 2025, go to webcast.interamerica.org