Inter-America kicks off largest ever territory-wide literature evangelist congress
Delegates from the Central Mexican Union show off their folkloric outfits during Inter-America’s Literature Evangelist Congress from Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico, May 28, 2014. More than 1,000 literature evangelist and church leaders met to reaffirm their mission to bring hope into every home and every business in their communities. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD
May 29, 2014 – Cancun, Mexico…Libna Stevens/IAD
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America gathered more than 1,000 literature evangelists and church leaders in Cancun, Mexico, for the largest ever territory-wide literature evangelist congress, which kicked off May 28, 2014.
IAD President Pastor Israel Leito, assured literature evangelists that the Seventh-day Adventist Church wants them to be inspired, motivated and determined to continue knocking on doors in homes, offices, sharing the hope of salvation, during the opening ceremony of the event. Image by Gregorio Vazquez/IAD
With bright smiles and colorful garb, literature evangelists representing thousands more from Central America, The Caribbean, French Antilles, Colombia, Venezuela and the Netherland Antilles, represented their countries and reaffirmed their mission to bring hope into every home. The theme of the congress is “Sent to Save.”
“This is a new day for literature evangelists in Inter-America,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America as he officially declared the congress open.
“We want you to be inspired, motivated and determined to continue knocking on doors in homes, in offices, touching the hearts of all who need hope,” said Pastor Leito.
Adventist World Church President Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson spoke to the assembly via video conference. He thanked literature evangelists for being part of advancing God’s great advent movement.
Adventist World Church President Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson thanked literature evangelists, via video conference, for being part of advancing God’s great advent movement. Image by Dania Aragon/IAD
“Your work is of utmost importance for the world wide evangelistic work,” said Pastor Wilson. “The people you visit every day are potential souls for the kingdom of God.”
Pastor Wilson reminded literature evangelists to “make sure your heart is loyal to God, for God will watch over you and reward you for putting His Word out.”
Government officials of the State of Quintana Roo were also present to welcome the large delegation.
Juan de Dios Chan, representative for the Governor of Quintana Roo, thanked church leaders for their work in creating a positive change in the conscience of the people in the state.
Hundreds of top literature evangelists traveled to Riviera Maya for the historic IAD congress. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD
“We recognize your work to benefit the social problems in our society and we know that with the programs you offer to strengthen families, together we will improve the values in Quintana Roo and the rest of Mexico,” said Chan.
Strengthening society through publications is what constitutes the ministry of canvassers or literature evangelists, said Pastor Erwin Gonzalez, publishing ministries director for the church in Inter-America.
“As literature evangelists, you make a difference in the equilibrium of what God wants to do with His people and the welfare of humanity,” said Gonzalez. “You have received the mission from God to take the message of hope, for that’s the reason for colporting.”
Taking the message of hope will come with tangible benefits from now on, thanks to a recent revamping of the publishing ministries by the leadership of the Inter-American Division (IAD), church leaders said.
“We have come up with plans that will show literature evangelists that their work of canvassing goes hand-in-hand with the work of ministers,” said Pastor Leito.
IAD Publishing Ministries Director Erwin Gonzalez hands a special plaque honoring Elva Corina Morales of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union for being the top in book sales across the territory in 2013. She sold more than $240,000 in book sales. Image by Dania Aragon/IAD
Literature evangelists who meet certain criteria under the new policy will be able to enjoy educational allowance for their children, get assistance for medical expenses, receive retirement benefits and more, declared Pastor Leito.
“We want you to feel respected, accepted and valued,” added Pastor Leito, “All we ask in return is for your loyalty, consecration, and ample service to the church.”
For Elva Corina Morales, age 32, of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican region, it’s been nothing but loyalty and commitment in selling books for nine years. Morales was honored for being the literature evangelists with the most sales in 2013 across Inter-America. Selling more than $240,000 in books, Morales said she works at connecting with people and knowing the books she sells is key.
Morales was praised by Pastor Gonzalez for not only reaching such high sales but for also training others on how to sell books as a ministry.
The congress will offer seminars on improving techniques, recruiting other canvassers, listen to Adventist experts and hear reports of the growth of publishing ministries and more during the coming days.
For more on Inter-America’s Literature Evangelist Congress, visit us at interamerica.org
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