August 2, 2010 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD
Seventh-day Adventists throughout Venezuela will be celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the introduction of the Adventist message in the country. The weekend-long celebration events will commence this coming Saturday, August 7, in Poliedro de Caracas or the Caracas Polyhedron stadium. More than 12,000 people are expected to attend.
Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, will be the featured guest speaker during Saturday’s program, which will be broadcast live by Esperanza TV. Top church leaders from the Inter-American Division (IAD) will also participate.
“We are very excited that Venezuela will be celebrating its centennial anniversary of the work of the church,” says Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America. “The church in Venezuela today is totally different from less than 25 years ago. The work has flourished and continues to grow now into two strong church regions and we are here to continue with our support.”
Commemorative activities will continue on Sunday, August 8, at Feria Bicentenario de Barquisimeto Stadium in Barquisimeto for a full day of activities. Pastor Wilson will deliver the keynote address. More than 7,000 are expected on Sunday.
The IAD’s production team will be aiding in the production of the live satellite event held in Caracas for the rest of the world to witness, communication leaders say.
“We will work with a local team so that this production can be a blessing,” says Abel Marquez, associate communication director of the church in Inter-America and producer of the satellite event in Caracas.
“Our priority is for more church members throughout the territory of our Division and around the world to join in celebrating with our brethren in Venezuela just by turning on their computers or televisions,” adds Marquez.
“Our program will consist of special activities which will be carried throughout the rest of the country through the internet and our radio stations,” says Pastor Rodolfo Escobar, communication director and coordinator of the event. The program will be carried until 6:00 p.m.
Both programs will also include musical concerts, presentations, acknowledgements, baptisms, and more.
Since the Adventist message entered Venezuela, the church has grown from one to two church regions. There are more than 223,000 church members worshipping in 815 churches and congregations.
To watch live programs of the centennial celebration in Venezuela go to:
www.esperanzatv.org on Aug. 7 for the Caracas program,beginning at 11:00 Eastern Daylight’s Time or 10:30 a.m. Venezuela Time.
www.interamerica.org on Aug. 8 for Barquisimeto program,starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight’s Time or 8:30 am. Venezuela Time.
