Church Sees Massive Growth With 16,000 Baptisms In A Single Event
The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s regional division recently announced that more than 16,000 people joined the denomination through a series of baptisms held across Latin America. These baptisms took place in various missions located in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. This large-scale event was celebrated by the church as a significant milestone in its evangelistic outreach efforts.
Elie Henry, the president of the Inter-American Division (IAD), addressed around 10,000 church members and leaders at a live event in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico. He expressed joy over the new members, referring to the event as a “great feast” and noting that it foreshadows the eternal reunion believers will have with Jesus. The success of these baptismal ceremonies was credited to the combined efforts of pastors, church elders, laity, and small groups who worked diligently to bring new members into the fold.
For the second time in this region, local church elders were given the authority to officiate the baptisms. Josney Rodríguez, the IAD’s ministerial secretary and event organizer, highlighted the importance of this moment for church elders, who were closely involved in preparing the baptismal candidates.
This wave of baptisms comes in the wake of challenging times for the denomination. In recent years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has seen a decline in growth, with membership numbers dropping significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The church also faced financial difficulties during this period, reporting a notable decrease in tithes and mission offerings.
The Adventist Church has experienced a net membership loss over the years, with David Trim, director of archives, statistics, and research for the General Conference, noting that more than 18 million members have left the church between 1965 and 2023. Despite these challenges, the recent baptism ceremonies mark a significant step forward in the church’s mission to expand its membership.