Mayaguez, Puerto Rico…[Freddy Sosa/IAD Staff]
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Puerto Rico recently organized its first island-wide women's ministries congress. More than 800 Adventist women gathered from around the island's four church regions to fellowship and unify efforts in proclaiming the message to women that God can offer the hope of a better life free of abuse, mistreatment, and murder. The gathering took June 7, 2008, at Ebenezer Christian Center in Arecibo.
Adventist World Church vice president Dr. Ella Simmons and head of women's ministries Heather Small were featured speakers. They spoke about the important role women play in the fulfillment of the mission of the church. Dinorah Rivera, assistant women's ministries director for the Inter-American Division, also spoke at the event.
The women's ministries congress was formed as a reaction to the epidemic of violence against women in today's society, says Maria Cristina Rivera, women's ministries director for the church in Puerto Rico.
“All Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Puerto Rico want to offer guidance and hope to our women through seminars that can stimulate the to strengthen and increase their trust in God in the midst of the daily struggles of life,” Rivera says.
In addition, the event was part of a special launching campaign by the church to take place during the next two months offering hope to Puerto Ricans.
In addition, the event was part of a special launching campaign by the church during the next two months appealing Puerto Ricans to commit to ensuring the well-being of women and avoiding acts of violence against women, children, and the elderly. At the end of the campaign in August, a special mural will be unveiled on the island's national historic site El Morro in San Juan, according to Rivera. The mural will read “By the grace of God, my hands will not abuse, mistreat, kill women, children, nor the elderly in Puerto Rico”.
During the event, five women were recognized for their distinguished contribution to society throughout the island: Luisa Gandara Acevedo, first lady of Puerto Rico, Maria Eugenia Ferre Rangel, executive director for the El Nuevo Dia newspaper, Celimar Adames Casalduc, news reporter of Channel 4 WAPA TV, Cora Arce, director of the women's shelter Julia de Burgos, and Mercado Sierra, director of the government's office dedicated to protecting women in Puerto Rico.
