Inter-America To Crown Bible Connection Champion In Live-Streamed Finale
Top five Bible Connection winners from the quinquennium will compete on May 6 for a chance to represent the IAD at the General Conference Session in St. Louis.
May 1, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division
Inter-America’s Youth Ministries Department will wrap up its largest Bible reading competition during a live-streamed event on May 6, 2025. The event will feature the top five Bible Connection winners from annual competitions held since 2020.
The top contestants will win the opportunity to serve as a youth delegate representing the Inter-American Division (IAD) during the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s upcoming General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, this July.
The finalists include:
- Rúben Maltez, 2020 winner from El Salvador
- Yerid Ruiz, 2021 winner from Nicaragua Union
- Antony Guevara, 2022 winner from West Venezuela Union
- Héctor Merino, 2023 winner from Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union
- Bryan Rodríguez, 2024 winner from Cuba Union
“We are excited to close the quinquennium with our top winners, who have demonstrated strong Bible knowledge and shown real commitment and transformation through their study journey,” said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director for the IAD. “Studying the Bible leaves an indelible impression on the hearts of children and young people who dedicate themselves to it.”
[Image: IAD Youth Ministries]
This marks the third quinquennial Bible Connection finale organized since the Bible reading initiative gained traction in 2004. The program has since expanded to include children as young as four years old participating in Adventurer clubs, Powell explained.
During the final showdown, the five contestants will answer 50 questions covering:
- The Book of Luke, chapters 1–24
- Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White, chapters 12, 25, and 86
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, chapters 2, 4, and 22–24
The competition will take place during the IAD Mid-Year Executive Committee meetings, streamed live in Spanish, English, and French.
Powell said the finale will include new features such as time-based scoring and risk-reward questions. “This year, it’s going to be dynamic and exciting. We’ve developed new software that enhances the competition experience, and even allows participants to earn more points based on how quickly and accurately they respond,” he said.
The decision to hold the event online was made due to challenges with travel visas. “We’ve been working closely with union youth ministries directors and our technical staff to ensure a smooth and engaging experience for everyone,” Powell added.
Tune in to Inter-America’s Bible Connection finale on May 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. (Miami Time) at: webcast.interamerica.org