Call it intentionality in church mission. For the Seventh-day Adventist Church in French Guiana, a small country located at the northeastern part of South America, making church mission reach out to [the community] means that the church will break records.

According to Guy Roger, president for the church in the French Antilles Guiana Union, or administrative region, a baptismal goal set for the entire year was already surpassed by the end of February, breaking a record in church outreach. The goal of 120 was set for 2003. As of Feb. 24, 126 people had joined the Adventist Church.

“This is the first time that the baptismal goal is surpassed so early in the year,” Roger says. He explains that it is due to a 100 percent increase in evangelistic campaigns held early this year. More evangelistic efforts, led by youth in French Guiana, are planned for the near future.

With a population of 150,000, French Guiana is predominantly Roman Catholic. There are 1,936 Adventist church members worshipping in 16 congregations.