The Inter-American Division (IAD) recently wrapped up its first four-month evangelism efforts this year with more than 87,000 new members baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the end of April. The unprecedented achievement, felt across churches and congregations in the 25 major church regions, or unions, within the IAD, culminated in a grand baptismal celebration in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico, on April 26.

Unity and Mission in Chiapas

Hundreds gathered at the Expo Convenciones Chiapas to honor the dedicated efforts of pastors, church elders, small group leaders, and laypersons in Chiapas, who worked tirelessly for since September of 2024. Their outreach—through Bible studies, community initiatives, and evangelistic campaigns—reached neighbors, friends, family members, and coworkers, leading to more than 23,000 new believers joining the church in the region since January.

“It’s impressive to see how the church in Chiapas—children, youth, women, adults, church leaders, pastors, and leaders at the conference, union, and division levels—have all united with one purpose: to fulfill the mission of sharing the gospel everywhere,” said Balvin Braham, vice president of the IAD and one of the organizers of the live event. “We are overjoyed to celebrate the goodness of the Lord across Chiapas and the entire Inter-American Division.”

Ignacio Navarro, president of the Chiapas Mexican Union, expressed gratitude to more than 130 guest evangelists from across the IAD territory, as well as speakers from Adventist World Radio and theology schools throughout Mexico, who preached in parks, community centers, auditoriums, and churches during the evangelistic week of April 20-25.

“It has been a tremendous blessing and opportunity for the church in Chiapas to grow in fulfilling its mission, thanks to the leadership and support of so many who came to strengthen our outreach efforts,” Navarro said. “Our members have been fully engaged, doing extraordinary work since last September to prepare the ground, and we are now witnessing the results.”

Themed “El cielo te espera” (Heaven Awaits You), the comprehensive evangelistic program falls under the territory-wide All the Family in Mission initiative of involving families across congregations actively engaged in spreading the gospel in their communities, explained José Bouchot, executive secretary of the Chiapas Mexican Union.

“The plan was implemented through the 11,000 small groups where each family committed to bringing at least one family to study the Bible in their home as a house of hope location,” he said.

Stories of Faith and Commitment

Among those baptized onsite during the live program was 40-year-old Ivan Arse. Although he had occasionally attended the Zapata B Adventist Church with his wife, Sandra—a longtime member—he had never taken the step to be baptized.

“I didn’t get baptized before because my job required me to work on Saturdays for years,” Arse explained. “I just never made the decision.”

That began to change when Sandra fell ill with severe migraines. Ivan started attending church more regularly, and over time his heart began to soften.

Twelve years later the evangelistic campaign deeply moved him, stirring his desire to embrace God’s promise of eternal life.

“Just days ago things worked out at my job, and now I can rest on the Sabbath,” he said. “Jesus has come to mean so much more to me—He brought peace, calm, and a strong desire to share His goodness in my life. I thank my wife for encouraging me to make this decision for Christ.”

Sixteen-year-old Karla Escobar, from the Santa Ana Adventist Church in the Central Chiapas Conference, recently chose to return to a life with Jesus.

Though she had grown up in the church, by the time she was 10 Escobar lost interest in attending services or participating in church activities. But when she was invited to an evangelistic campaign at the very church she had once left, something changed.

“I realized that Jesus feels what I feel and is always with me—ready to bring peace, guidance, and companionship,” Escobar said.

Moved by that conviction, she decided to be baptized. Today she is active in her church’s Master Guide club and is eager to take part in more youth activities.

At 15 José Antonio Vázquez left the Adventist Church along with his family. Now 35, he and his wife, Aura Carolina, had been part of a dissident group. Recently, however, an Adventist pastor invited them to a series of evangelistic meetings—and everything began to change.

“We were moved by the music, the worship, the messages, and the health message,” Vázquez said. “I felt Jesus touch our lives—He transformed our hearts, influenced our business, and led us to begin a renewed life as we wait for His return.”

Inspired and convicted, the couple chose not to delay their decision. Along with dozens of others, they were baptized during the event as a public testimony of their renewed faith.

Deepening Faith, Continuing the Mission

For the newly baptized and the hundreds of church leaders and members gathered for the celebration, Abner De Los Santos, a vice president of the General Conference, urged them to take time to truly discover Christ. “The Lord knows everything about you, but He wants you to get to know Him more deeply,” he said. “It’s not enough to simply know doctrine or follow tradition. What truly transforms your life is encountering Jesus and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.”

Elie Henry, IAD president, expressed gratitude to local, regional, and division leaders for their dedication to preaching the Word of God and uniting in evangelistic efforts. “This is not the end of an initiative, but rather another phase in our journey,” he said. “We must keep moving forward—preaching, serving, and preparing a people to meet Jesus Christ and be ready for His soon return. Let us continue together, as one family, totally committed to the mission.”

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.