Adventist Church Advocates Religious Freedom in Dialogue with Colombian Senate

Faith leaders urge withdrawal of proposed legislation that could restrict worship and church autonomy.

August 27, 2025 | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia | Cristin Serrano, Laura Acosta, and IAD News Staff

More than 30 religious leaders from various denominations, recently met at Colombia’s Senate Commission on Territorial Affairs in a dialogue convened by the Ministry of the Interior.

Led by Minister Armando Benedetti and Senator Lorena Ríos, the August 4, 2025, meeting brought together faith communities, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to voice concerns over congressional bills 057 and 058, which propose new tax and sanction regulations on churches that could negatively impact religious freedom and the social services they provide.

Jair Flórez, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) director for the North Colombian Union and delegate to the National Religious Freedom Roundtable, remarked that the proposed bills had been drafted without the participation of the faith communities they would affect, undermined their spiritual mission and right to worship, and sought to impose monitoring and sanction mechanisms that would compromise religious autonomy.

“We are not engaged in proselytism,” said Flórez. “We go to these spaces to defend freedom for everyone, because if there is no religious freedom, we cannot preach the gospel.” He applauded the Ministry of the Interior’s expressed willingness not to move forward with the proposed bills.

According to Flórez, ministry officials indicated they would ask the sponsoring senators to withdraw the initiatives, underscoring that, “One should not be fined for praying.” He added that imposing restrictions on churches would be counterproductive.

Although Pastor Henry Beltrán, president of the South Colombian Union and PARL director, was not present at the meeting, he reaffirmed the church’s institutional commitment to religious freedom.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Colombian Constitution. As a Church, we not only believe in that right, but we actively defend it because it ensures the ability to live out our faith,” said Beltrán.

Beltrán emphasized that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been actively engaged in legislative processes since Colombia’s 1991 Constitution, achieving important advances such as the legal recognition of Sabbath observance. He also highlighted the recent change in national testing procedures, which now allows Adventist students to take their ICFES, or the Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education exams on days other than Saturday. “This is an achievement we celebrate with gratitude to God,” he said. Beltrán added that the Adventist Church continues to be a respected voice in the National Roundtable for Religious Freedom, recognized for its organization, respect for the law, and commitment to service.

“Ellen G. White said we must be leaders in the cause of religious liberty. That is what drives us each day,” Beltrán concluded.

Beltrán also issued a call to church members: “Our task as believers is to remain faithful to God—to uphold what He has entrusted to us, especially the Sabbath. If anyone faces challenges, remember that the law protects us, and as a church we have tools to support our members. Let us be like Daniel: faithful to the end.”

The Adventist Church’s participation on August 4 not only highlighted its firm stance against legislative proposals that could restrict freedom of worship but also strengthened its role as a legitimate voice before the State on matters of conscience and fundamental rights, said Flórez. “Defending religious freedom is not a side issue—it is central to our mission,” he emphasized. “We are here to ensure that every person can worship God according to their conscience, without imposition or restriction.”

Flórez concluded that in today’s social context, the voice of the churches remains vital to building peace, equity, and service in society. “The Adventist Church will continue to remain vigilant and committed, representing the values of God’s kingdom with dignity in the public sphere.”