INTER-AMERICAN: November 2009 Archives

November 22, 2009 - Merida, Yucatan, Mexico [Raul Lozano/IAD Staff}

The traveling Bible made its final Mexico stop on Nov. 20 after covering three of the four major church regions in the country. The two-week travel in Mexico was the first segment of a ten-week journey the unique Bible will make through Inter-America.

Seventh-day Adventist leaders, government officials and church members in South Mexico were eager to see the traveling Bible, which has already visited more than 108 countries worldwide as part of the church's Follow the Bible initiative.

During a special ceremony at Las Americas Park in Merida, Yucatan, on Saturday, Nov. 22, Marco Antonio Gonzalez of the Yucatan Office of Social Development and Religious Affairs read and transcribed the first portion of the Bible.

Gonzalez spoke to Seventh-day Adventist leaders on how the church can better the quality of life for Yucatan's citizens.

"This church should continue participating in events such as this," said Gonzalez. "It is very important to educate our children and young people in the values which unfortunately have taken a detour in our modern times. I believe that the church, together with each family, can make a better society."

Gregorio Sanchez Martinez, the Mayor of Cancun, congratulated the church for upholding the principles of the holy book.

"The Bible is our manual and if we don't want to ruin our lives, we must read it," Sanchez said.

Children, young people, and adults participated in region-wide activities such as Bible reading marathons and copying the Bible cover to cover.

Church leaders also organized a press conference at the church's headquarter office in South Mexico.

The traveling Bible will make its way to El Salvador this week and then on to visit other Central American countries.

View a photo gallery of the traveling Bible in South Mexico on Flickr.

November 14, 2009 - Mexico City, Mexico, Central Mexican Union/IAD

The traveling Bible arrived in Mexico City on Nov. 12, the second stop during the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Follow the Bible initiative in Inter-America. As church leaders from North Mexico delivered the unique Bible at the capital city's airport, there was a parade of flags by Pathfinders. Dozens of church members and church leaders were also gathered to witness the grand entrance of the Holy Book.

"It is a great privilege for the Central Mexican Union to receive the Word of God which has such world-wide interest," said Pastor Tomas Torres, president of the church in Central Mexico, as he was given the Bible. "We hope that its entrance into this territory can be of great blessing and impact for the people."

Leaders gathered the next day for a special ceremony where the traveling Bible was displayed and read from in five different languages. Iskra Galicia, representative of the Bible Society of Mexico, was the special speaker at the ceremony. He spoke on the importance of continuing the commitment of distributing Bibles to every corner of the country.

The program also featured a Bible hand written by Adventist youth throughout the Central region and the distribution of Bibles.

View a photo gallery of traveling Bible in Central Mexico here.

November 10, 2009 - Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Benjamin Garcia/IAD Staff

The traveling Bible, the focal point of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Follow the Bible initiative, arrived in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Nov. 6, 2009, to begin its journey through the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory.

To celebrate the initiative, Seventh-day Adventists in the IAD are holding Bible marathons and marches, distributing literature on the importance of the Scriptures, and giving out Bibles in their communities. These events will continue during the 10 weeks it will take the Bible to complete its journey throughout the territory.

A special ceremony was held in Monterrey's Macro Plaza across from the state government's palace where government leaders, local church leaders and members gathered to receive the unique multi-language Bible.

Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, field secretary for the church in Inter-America and coordinator of the initiative for the region, presented the special Bible to Pastors Abner De Los Santos, president for the church in North Mexico, and Pastor Luis Arturo King, president for the church in the Northeast conference, who then presented the Bible to civil authorities and religious leaders.

Dr. Eduardo Macias and Mario Trevino of Nuevo Leon's Department of Religious Affairs received the Bible on behalf of the government authorities. Dr. Macias and Mr. Trevino copied the first two verses of the Bible as part of a 24-hour Bible transcribing marathon organized by the church in Monterrey.

A spiritual message on the power and significance of the Word of God was presented by Ismael Castillo, president of the nearby Adventist Montemorelos University. There were also several musical numbers performed by the institution's band and drama club, as well as a special tour of the replica of the sanctuary installed on the premises for display on Sabbath.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, as part of Inter-America's Give a Bible, Give Life project, 8,000 free Bibles were distributed at the Macro Plaza. The effort was organized by the Northeast (Mexico) Conference.

On Nov. 8, the special Bible was on display at the Montemorelos University Church, where a special worship program was held in which the Bible was read in 14 different languages.

The traveling Bible will be on its way to Mexico City and Puebla in South Mexico by the end of the week. After a short time there it will continue its journey throughout the rest of Inter-America.

Visit the Flickr photo gallery of traveling Bible in North Mexico.

Follow the traveling Bible throughout the territory of the Inter-American Division here.

November 3, 2009 - Miami, Florida, United States, Libna Stevens/IAD

After journeying thousands of miles and visiting 108 countries around the globe, the special traveling Bible set out by the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Follow the Bible initiative since last year, arrived Nov. 2, 2009, in Miami, Florida home to the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarters office.

The large multi-language Bible was handed over to Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, during a special ceremony while top church leaders gathered for the region's executive committee meetings being held this week.

"This Bible has traveled through eight countries of our church in South America," said Pastor Bolivar Alana, executive secretary for the church in South America. "This Bible visited presidents such as Peru's president, as well as senators, and government officials in Brazil, and now I hand it over to you and may God bless you immensely in the Inter-American Division."

As Pastor Leito accepted the 16-pound Bible, top church leaders from Inter-America's 17 church regions stood by to savor the moment.

"The Inter-American Division has been anxiously awaiting this moment because for us this is a great honor to receive the Bible which brings with her a long history," said Pastor Leito.

IAD leaders purchased some 20 replicas of the unique Bible to remain in the 17 major church regions, two experimental unions and its headquarter office as the traveling Bible journeys through. The initiative is a reminder to church members to study and share the truths of the Word of God throughout their communities.

"The Inter-American Division is the only world division which has purchased replicas of this Bible for its vast territory," said Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, field secretary for the church in the IAD and division-wide organizer of the initiative.

The Bible, which now sports a new cover due to its wear and tear throughout the first year of its journey, is scheduled to travel throughout 10 countries of the IAD.

"We not only want to be part of this world event but we want every home where possible in our territory to have a Bible, calling out to people on the Word of God," said Pastor Leito." With this Bible we want to visit congress leaders, presidents, government officials and everyone with the Word of hope, Word of God calling on the need to follow the Word of God," Pastor Leito said.

With large Bibles in hand, 19 IAD church leaders prayed in consecration and commitment as the launch of the Follow the Bible activities take full form. The Bible will remain in the IAD as it travels to North Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and the Caribbean. On January 17, 2010, it will depart the division territory and head to Africa.

Hundreds of thousands Bibles were printed in English, Spanish and French to be distributed throughout the territory of the church in Inter-America as part of the initiative.

In addition, thousands of special magazines published by Inter-America's publishing houses IADPA and GEMA will be distributed as the traveling Bible enters each union territory in the coming weeks.

Commemorative activities already taking place throughout Inter-America include Bible reading and Bible transcribing marathons, marches, special Bible-focused magazines, flyers, and more.

Click here to follow the traveling Bible throughout the territory of the Inter-American Division.

To view a photo gallery of IAD leaders receiving the traveling Bible, visit flickr.com.