Thousands are Honored in Inter-America During Final Grand Centennial Celebration

November 3, 2022 | San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

A century of blessings. A century of miracles. A century of growth. That’s what the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) celebrated as it concluded its 100^th year anniversary. More than 6,000 church leaders and members met in SanPedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, on Oct. 29, 2022, to celebrate.

Coined as the Grand Centennial Celebration, the event highlighted the coordinated efforts held this year in evangelism, education and community outreach throughout the territory, and featured music, drama performances and the recognition of hundreds of former leaders and outstanding members who have and are contributing to the mission of the church in the IAD.

“We are celebrating the culmination of 100 years of celebration, praising the Lord for the way the Holy Spirit has manifested itself in our territory,” declared Pastor Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer of the church in the Inter-American Division. “In the coming years we want to finish the work of the gospel here in Inter-America.”

It’s about what has happened, what is happing and what will happen, said pastor Thomas Lemon, vice president of the Adventist world church, as he greeted the congregants on behalf of Adventist World Church President Ted N.C. Wilson for 100 years of pursuing the mission of Jesus Christ. “We wish you to continue 100 more but we don’t want that to happen. Greater things are more to come,” Lemon said.

 

Over 3,000 new members joined the church earlier during the day in hundreds of churches in the Dominican Republic and thousands more throughout the IAD during coordinated evangelistic campaigns.

Moved by the special musical drama performances, Pastor Elie Henry, said it was a great joy to celebrate together as a people of God. “100 years is a good opportunity to celebrate how God has guided us in the past, the different challenges that our pioneers had to face and the great victories reached by the church in Inter-America.” It is with the same passion for the mission that the work has expanded with that message of hope to a world that is perishing, he said.

“As Seventh-day Adventists we believe that soon and very soon we will gather for a great celebration because Jesus is coming soon,” said Pastor Henry. “God has guided us in the past and we have advanced towards the future with confidence. Our church has an important role to still play and we want to recommit to the Lord to go to the places still needed to be reached in our Division territory.”

The way to reach those impenetrable places is to continue drawing close to God in prayer in the study of His Word and dedicating our lives to finishing the work here, said Pastor Henry.  “There’s an extraordinary hope that awaits us and we must respond to His calling.”

Dozens of active church members throughout the Dominican Union received a special centennial medal for their dedicated service in the 22 departments and ministries of the church. Six thousand more also received a centennial medal across the 156 conferences and missions in the IAD while the online program was held.

In addition IAD leaders recognized dozens of former workers who served in the Headquarter office, others throughout the territory, as well as institutions and organizations that have contributed to the achievement of the mission. Among those institutions recognized included Loma Linda University Health for outstanding contribution and collaboration in strengthening Adventist hospitals and clinics with resources and medical services throughout in the IAD for more than seventy years. Similarly to AdventHealth for their resources and medical services throughout Adventist hospitals in the IAD for over 20 years.  ADRA International, Adventist World Radio, ShareHim Ministries, USAID, Unicef, Maranatha Volunteers International, Atlantic Union Conference and Latter Day Saints Charities were also recognized.

The event drew local government officials who praised the work of the church in the nation and dozens of national television, radio and print media covered the centennial celebration.

Church leaders also unveiled the a limited edition of the milestones of the Seventh-day Adventist Church throughout its 100 years titled “Celebrating His Providence.” The new picture book includes English, Spanish and French description written by Vladimir Polanco, editor of IADPA, and will be distributed throughout the IAD territory before the end of the year.

“We praise God for each one who has played a significant part in advancing the work in the Inter-American Division,” said Pastor Balvin Braham, vice president of the IAD and main organizer of the event. “This is a team effort that we have worked on together during the last 200 years.”

Pointing to the ultimate goal of preparing a people for the Second Coming of Jesus, Braham encouraged those gathered and viewers “to continue to be energized by these priorities that have helped shape us as a remnant people of God: from whence we came, where we are, where we are going, educating, evangelizing and serving the community.”

To watch Inter-American Division’s Grand Centennial Celebration of Oct. 29, 2022, follow:

In English, HERE

In Spanish, HERE

In French, HERE