May 27, 2010 – Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
Church leaders at the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarter office in Miami, Florida, inaugurated its new southeast wing office complex during a special ceremony on May 20, 2010.
Dozens of church leaders from throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the IAD witnessed the special dedication, which took place at the close of the church’s executive committee meetings last week.
“There are three historical dates that mark this building,” said Pastor Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer of the church in Inter-America. “When the first stone was laid, when the building was inaugurated in 2001, and today. It is a joy that we can all participate in this special moment.” Pastor Verduzco went on to say that not one penny is owed for the expansion because it was paid in full with reserves from the depreciation funds of the building.
“Nine years ago, we had 1.5 million Seventh-day Adventists, today we are beyond 3.2 million,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in the IAD, as he explained the reason for the building project. “We cannot continue serving this vast church in the same way, we need more personnel and more office space, and so we approved the expansion last year.”
The expansion on the southeast wing include six new offices with space for six cubicles, and a conference room on the second floor, as well as a remodeled auditorium and fellowship hall.
Before Pastor Leito cut the ribbon to the new wing, he praised the “outstanding work” of the architects.
With the new office complex, the IAD headquarter building now boasts 45 offices, 33 cubicles, four conference rooms, two workrooms, a 192-seater auditorium, fellowship hall, an employee’s lounge, and a media room.
For photos of the inauguration of IAD’s southeast wing, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica, or click here
