The Seventh-day Adventist Church is witnessing a remarkable increase in membership as more than 16,000 individuals have recently been baptized across Latin America, according to reports this week. This figure was shared by the Inter-American Division (IAD) of the SDA Church, highlighting the denomination’s efforts in regions including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
A significant gathering occurred in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico, where IAD President Elie Henry addressed roughly 10,000 church leaders and members. Celebrating the success, Henry remarked, “This is a great feast today, where we can rejoice and celebrate together so many new people who have come to be part of the kingdom. This is just a taste of the wonderful reunion we will have the privilege of participating in with Jesus for eternity.”
The IAD attributes this achievement to the dedicated evangelistic work of pastors, elders, and lay members, noting the involvement of small groups as well. This event marked only the second instance where ordained local church elders were permitted to officiate baptisms within this regional body.
Josney Rodríguez, IAD ministerial secretary and event organizer, emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating, “This is a momentous occasion where church elders, who have worked closely in preparing candidates for baptism, can share the joy of baptizing.”
This wave of baptisms arrives after the SDA Church’s challenging period of low growth and financial strains. In 2020, the church experienced its smallest increase in new members since 2004, gaining fewer than one million new adherents for the first time in 16 years. Financial pressures were also felt, with the denomination anticipating a $26 million decline in tithes and mission offerings during the pandemic.
Juan Prestol-Puesán, the church’s treasurer, previously described their financial situation as being in “survival” mode, with tithe income falling by up to 25% in some regions and mission offerings declining by as much as 40%.
Over a broader timeframe, David Trim, SDA General Conference’s director of archives, statistics, and research, has reported a net member loss rate exceeding 42% from 1965 to 2023, translating to over 18 million individuals leaving the church.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
