Institutional Boards Report on Earnings and Development Plans

October 28, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Seventh-day Adventist leaders overseeing Institutional Boards in the Inter-American Division (IAD) began their end of the year meetings this week reporting on finances, development plans and challenges faced as the church and its higher organizations are leveling off better this year since before the pandemic hit.  Church administrators and board members met online on the first day of four institutional boards on Oct. 26, 2022.

IADPA

“We have come to realize coming out of the past two years that the best way to promote our books is through social media platforms, because we have seen how close we can get to our clients,” said Saul Ortíz, president of the Inter-American Division Publishing Association (IADPA).

As he introduced the start of the board meeting, Ortíz previewed that so far this year, the publishing house has seen more than 12 million dollars in sales, a significant turn since 2019. “Our bookstores have sold more than one million US dollars and this is so important.” The numbers reveal that there was 14 percent increase in sales compared to 2021.

Challenging factors facing IADPA includes the fact that many of the countries in the IAD territory who are facing violence and political closings have not been able to run profitable at all, he said. “God is leading IADPA, we have seen it and we know He will continue to lead,” said Ortíz.”

Materials, and printing costs continue to rise and shipping costs have increased five times over, he reported. “Regardless of those pressing challenges we have no other choice than to continue to serve the church because we trust that each of these challenges is an opportunity to trust God even more.”

While 2021 saw a loss of more than US$31,000, 2022 has seen a gain of US$91,000 so far, said Ortíz.

More than 6.7 million books have been distributed in the course of this year, which include 50 newly released titles, in addition to the Sabbath School materials, devotionals, health and self-help books and more which regularly sell quarter after quarter, year after year, he said.

There are still outstanding amounts that are owed and due to IADPA from the level of several unions, said Ortíz, but measures are being taken to reduce those expenses as much as possible at the close of the year.

The publishing house is preparing to print at least one million copies of the missionary book of the year next year called “The Great Controversy” by Adventist co-founder Ellen G. White, to be distributed in its full version in English, Spanish and French, by church members throughout the IAD on March 18, 2023. A digital version will be available at the end of March as well.  Orders from the field have reached over 1.5 million copies, reported IADPA officials.

IADPA editors reported that its missionary magazine coined as “Priorities” continues to see a distribution of more than 300,000 copies printed every month, in English, Spanish, French, Creole and Papiamento. Plans are underway to provide the missionary magazine in several Mayan dialects across the territory.

Progress on the Spanish translation of the Andrews Bible Commentary’s first volume on Old Testament books is underway in coordination with the South American Division’s publishing House ACES, and is expected to be completed and available at the end of 2023.

IADPA editors and staff members introduced new books on spiritual growth, several bible textbooks, natural science textbooks, devotionals, children’s story time books, health and recipe books, books specific for literature evangelists to sell and more.

IADPA also reported a newly opened bookstore in the southeastern region in Panama, adding to the 88 IADPA bookstores running throughout the IAD territory.

Board members voted on the financial statement report and operating budget for 2023. As of Sep. 30, 2022, the monthly working capital is 388 percent and liquidity 87 percent, IADPA finance officials reported.

Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico R.A. Board

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico R.A. is a registered entity acknowledged by the Mexican government which includes the five unions, or major church regions, in the nation. The unions forming the board include the Central, Chiapas, Inter-Oceanic, North, and Southeast Mexican Unions.

“Three years ago the board was established to be in compliance with the laws of the government to be headed by a president, secretary, and treasurer as well as a legal representative at the national level,” said Ignacio Navarro, president of the board and president of the Chiapas Mexican Union.  The structure that it follows has allowed for greater collaboration in making some decisions that relate to the five unions, he added.

As such a legal unit, the IAD recognizes it as a division institution board, said Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer for the church in the IAD.

Board members discussed plans to continue managing the tithes and offerings in the country as has been done in the past eight years but the board will continue to fine tune its accounting policies, see legal implications that may affect the church and administrate accordingly to the manual being studied, said Verduzco.

Board members voted on constitutional policies and amendments, as well as activities for 2023 which will include administrative meetings on legal or fiscal matters, interviews with auditing services, joint evangelism efforts and other initiatives throughout local churches and congregations.

Board officials also reported that 120 accountants employed at conferences, missions, schools or any other entity completed a special online certification program for accountants this year.

Adventist Healthcare Services Inter-America (AHSIA)

Members of the AHSIA Board began their meetings reflecting on the purpose and mission of healthcare institutions in carrying out a comprehensive health ministry to the community it serves. That ministry must be mission focused.

Franck Géneus, M.D., AHSIA president and health ministries director for the church in Inter-America, reported that six new institutions were added to the network of dozens of Adventist hospitals and clinics throughout the territory, such as the new lifestyle center in Chiapas, Mexico, a clinic in the northern part of Haiti, and several institutions in the northern part of Mexico.

Three nurses from Jamaica, Iona White, Yolanda Morris Ebanks, and Jenice Montaque-Bennet,  were recognized during the online meeting for their dedication and the Christ-like care they provide at the E.E. Waters Adventist Community Church of Trenchtown and North Street in Kingston, Jamaica.

Dr. Géneus also introduced new voice-activated technology for Covid testing that can make diagnostic assessments of patients for hospitals and clinics throughout the territory. “The development group wants to partner with IAD institutions that would like to be part of using that technology,” he said.

Board members were briefed on the growth and implemented programs held across several hospitals, upcoming evaluations of each healthcare institution in 2023, as well as partnerships with Adventist universities. In addition, board officials reported that the IAD doubled the budget to help financing the structure of AHSIA and implement initiatives in 2023.

Members of the board were shown a glimpse into the future of healthcare, the core values of ASHIA and transforming healthcare institutions into genuine Adventist mission fields.

Inter-American Health Food Company (IAHFC)

Inter-America’s Health Food Company, which oversees the operations of 11 food factories and branches across the territory, voted on financial matters, productions outcomes  and development plans during the course of this year.

From January to September 2022, there was a production of 10 million kilos of food said Jose Flóres, director of IAHFC. Those efforts yielded a 105 percent increase in production compared to 2021.  In more detailed terms, it means that the branches provided 5 million cups of hot beverages, 8 million glasses of soy drinks, 8 million cereal portions, and 2.3 million sweet rolls, he said. In addition, the food factories provided bread for 16 million sandwiches, 415,000 hamburger buns, 285,00 vegetarian burgers, and 1 million vegetarian hotdogs were sold.

“Even though the world has gone through many challenges, the factories sold more than $2 million US more in sales compared to 2021, which represents an 8.8 percent increase so far this year,” said Flóres.

From the net income received, branches contribute to the mission of the church through supporting schools, universities, and numerous community projects every year. “IAHFC is an institution of the church and it continues its commitment to providing healthy foods to sustain and support its members and communities,” he said.

The year has not been easy, said Flores, “We are dealing with very challenging situations, some financial, but we continue to work hard and we honor God for His providence and care.”

Board members voted on this year’s financial report and its operating budget for 2023 among the 11 branches and the central governing office.

Approval to close Icolpan, a food factory running for decades in Medellin, Colombia, was voted after it facing operations difficulties. The production of that facility will be transferred to the Bucaramanga and Cali branches Board members also voted to create a new entity onsite in Medellin that will function exclusively as a distributing facility.

To learn more about Inter-American Division’s institutions, its initiatives and activities, visit us at interamerica.org