IADPA and GEMA report financial growth, approve budgets and advance publishing initiatives across Inter-America.

October 29, 2026 | Bogotá, Colombia | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s two publishing houses in Inter-America reported positive financial results, approved operating budgets for 2027 and outlined plans to expand missionary publications during separate board meetings held October 28 in Bogotá, Colombia.

Leaders of the Inter-American Division Publishing Association (IADPA) and Mexico-based GEMA Editores reviewed financial performance, investments and publishing initiatives aimed at strengthening literature evangelism, Christian education and the distribution of Adventist resources throughout the territory.

Saúl Ortiz, president of the Inter-American Division Publishing Association (IADPA), presents the publishing house’s progress, achievements and mission priorities during its board meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 28, 2026. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
IADPA Reports Stronger Financial Results

IADPA board members approved the publishing house’s operating budget for 2027 following a financial report highlighting improved earnings, stronger revenue performance and positive results compared with the previous year.

Moisé Javier, IADPA’s vice president of finances, reported that revenue exceeded budget projections and that the organization maintained a solid working capital position. Administrators also emphasized the need to strengthen liquidity and continue monitoring outstanding receivables.

The board also received a favorable audit report from the General Conference Auditing Service, which issued an unmodified opinion on IADPA’s financial statements for 2025. The report confirmed that the statements fairly presented the organization’s financial position in all material respects, while identifying areas for continued improvement in financial management.

Ivelisse Herrera, Inter-American Division treasurer, praises IADPA’s prudent financial management and renewed efforts to expand the reach of its publications across the territory. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Auditor Juan Román also identified areas requiring attention, including the classification of certain receivables and liquidity management.

Inter-American Division Treasurer Ivelisse Herrera commended IADPA’s leadership for maintaining positive financial results despite operational and economic challenges.

“These results reflect prudence and responsibility on the part of the administration,” Herrera said, also recognizing the collective efforts of employees to keep the publishing house financially stable while advancing its mission across the territory.

Inter-American Division President Ivelisse Herrera, praises IADPA’s prudent financial management and renewed efforts to expand the reach of its publications across the territory. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
New Publications and Mission Priorities

Beyond financial matters, IADPA President Saúl Ortiz presented new missionary publications for 2027, including a four-book collection prepared for the division’s One Voice 2027 initiative. He announced that unions would be able to obtain the collection for $12 to encourage widespread distribution.

The publishing house also presented “All Things New” by Shane Anderson, the Seventh-day Adventist world church’s missionary book for 2027, which IADPA will distribute in five languages. Leaders also highlighted a collaborative publishing project with the Adventist publishing house in Brazil featuring devotionals on Ellen G. White.

Ortiz reported that a special devotional collection commemorating the bicentennial of Ellen G. White’s work had sold out through advance orders in English, French and Spanish.

Clara Spengler, IADPA’s vice president of sales, reports on the publishing house’s sales performance and the growth of its bookstore network across the territory during the board meeting. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Leaders highlighted new publications for literature evangelists and shared testimonies illustrating how personal book distribution continues to open opportunities for Bible studies and spiritual decisions.

The publishing house also reported increased book distribution across its territory, with its bookstore network in Spanish-speaking countries and Haiti recording significant sales growth compared with the previous year.

Board members also discussed expanding the use of Adventist textbooks in church schools. Ortiz acknowledged the need to broaden IADPA’s educational offerings while urging stronger institutional collaboration.

Edith Ruiz, IADPA’s textbook director, provides updates on the development and distribution of textbooks for Adventist schools during the board meeting. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
De los Santos encouraged union administrators to work with education departments and school leaders to increase access to church-produced textbooks, emphasizing their importance in strengthening Adventist identity and supporting the church’s mission.

IADPA leaders also reported continued growth in book distribution, while its network of 69 bookstores across 12 countries recorded a significant increase in sales compared with the previous year.

GEMA Editores Highlights Growth and Investments

GEMA Editores opened its board meeting with a video report showcasing its achievements during 2026, including new publications, educational resources, renovated bookstores and initiatives supporting literature evangelists throughout Mexico.

Pastor Ignacio Navarro, president of GEMA Editores, addresses board members on the publishing house’s progress, financial growth and commitment to advancing the church’s mission through literature during its October 28, 2026, meeting in Bogotá, Colombia. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
The positive presentation was followed by a financial report highlighting increased sales and continued growth compared with the previous year.

Board members approved GEMA’s operating budget for 2027 and reviewed significant investments in bookstores, property acquisitions and new facilities intended to house the publishing house’s future headquarters in Puebla.

Rubén Gallegos, vice president of finances, reported a solid financial position, with increased net assets and strong working capital despite substantial investments in infrastructure and expansion.

GEMA President Ignacio Navarro explained that the investments had temporarily reduced liquidity because the publishing house was acquiring new facilities before selling its existing properties in Mexico City.

“We are investing before selling the building,” Navarro said, expressing confidence that the eventual property sales would help restore liquidity.

Upcoming book titles for 2027 are presented by Jonatan Ponce, GEMA Editores’ vice president for production and marketing, during the publishing house’s board meeting. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Inter-American Division Treasurer Ivelisse Herrera praised the administration’s transparent reporting and financial management, noting that GEMA remained in a sound financial position despite the temporary liquidity challenges.

De los Santos commended GEMA’s accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of publications in supporting the church’s health, education and evangelistic ministries.

“In reality, they become the heart of the mission,” he said, encouraging the publishing house’s leadership to continue strengthening its service throughout Mexico.

Editorial Leadership and Publishing Expansion

In another action, GEMA’s board voted to recommend Jorge A. Cavazos Obregón as editorial vice president, subject to approval by the Inter-American Division Executive Committee.

Antonio Gil (left), GEMA Editores’ vice president for sales and literature evangelism, and Jonatan Ponce lead the presentation of a resolution of gratitude as the publishing house concludes its board meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 28, 2026. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Cavazos, a theology professor at Montemorelos University, has graduate training in biblical studies, literary creation and linguistic editing.

During the meeting, leaders presented new and forthcoming publications for 2027, building on more than 30 titles released during 2026.

The publishing house also reported progress in educational publishing, including the development of primary school textbooks in collaboration with Adventist publishing houses in Argentina and Brazil.

Its 2027 budget includes funding for a national literature evangelism campaign, union-level publishing activities and support for a missionary serving in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Board members also appointed an audit committee and reviewed compensation provisions for the coming year.

Antonio Gil (left), GEMA Editores’ vice president for sales and literature evangelism, and Jonatan Ponce lead the presentation of a resolution of gratitude as the publishing house concludes its board meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 28, 2026. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Gratitude for a Year of Blessings

The board meeting concluded with a resolution of gratitude recognizing the distribution of more than 5 million church books, nearly 90,000 Bibles and approximately 269,000 books through literature evangelism.

The resolution acknowledged the contributions of 1,727 literature evangelists, GEMA’s 44 bookstores and church organizations throughout Mexico.

“Not unto us, Lord, but unto Your name be all the glory,” the resolution declared, echoing Psalm 115.