The Seventh-day Adventist Church has administrative offices in different territories in order to more directly meet local demands, monitor projects, and enable better preparation of its leaders. On January 29, 2023, Bahia made official the division of some cities, which will be hosted by a new regional office, and this day was marked by social activities in the community.
The city of Eunápolis was chosen to receive the Bahia Extreme South Mission, which has 187 churches and groups, totaling about 14,000 members. The territory covers 24 pastoral districts, 20 cities, and 2 school units with more than 1,400 students.
It has been 60 years of history since the arrival of the Gospel in the region, led by families who moved to the cities and dedicated time and resources to the advancement of the Adventist Church and its mission. The territory, which was shared with the Bahia Sul Association, is now divided to multiply the reach of more people.
"Today's date marks a new beginning, where this headquarters comes to begin and strengthen the activities of expansion and advancement of the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, the mission comes to strengthen what Christ reaffirmed on the cross of Calvary: salvation, care for our neighbor—this is our desire: instituting a field here in this region," shared Pastor Jucimar Noya, president of the Adventist Church for the territory.
Solemnity
Leaders of the Adventist Church for all of South America participated in the ceremony, which welcomed local and state authorities, businessmen from the region, and people from all the cities in the territory, strengthening the partnership and the commitment to develop relevant work in the community.
The pioneers were also honored. Alaíde Ribeiro, who was part of the first Adventist family in the city, planted churches and continues to evangelize. "I can't describe how emotional it is to be part of this moment. When I get to heaven, I will tell my parents and my grandmother about this day—the fruit of the work that started through them," she says.
Two baptisms were performed at the inauguration. One of them highlighted the plan to preach to all peoples. Iaçanã Bráz is a Pataxó Indian from the city of Santa Cruz Cabrália, on the Discovery Coast. Part of the village of Agricultura, Bráz received positive influence from friends and family. Her father is the village chief and an elder in the local church. Her decision was celebrated with a song in the local dialect.
"The church is not just for Eunápolis; it is for this entire territory," said Pastor Moisés Moacir, president of the Adventist Church for the states of Bahia and Sergip. "That is why we erected it. It is not an end in itself, but from here come the plans and projects to reach all this region. We exist to serve, just as Jesus Christ came into the world, not to be served, but to serve."
Social Activities
Several departments of the church were represented in social activities in the city, especially the Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs, which brought messages of hope and encouraged the blood donation campaign.
For the first time in history, the Hemocentro Regional de Eunápolis (HEMOBA) opened its doors on a Sunday. More than 80 bags were donated in one morning, 71 of which were suitable, replenishing the region's blood bank, which is in critical condition.
"The partnership with the Adventist Church has been going on for a long time in the region. It helps HEMOBA in the process of raising people's awareness about the importance of blood donation, contributing to the maintenance of the stock," said Carolina Pimenta, coordinator of the health institution, with thankfulness.
Basic food baskets were collected to supply the stock of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), which has a local office operating in Eunápolis for a year and a half, carrying out projects in the community and the institution itself.
Growth and Development
Committed, united, and visionary were characteristics of the church shared by Pastor Stanley Arco, president of the denomination for South America, when describing the moment. "I am happy and glad to see a church like this, because the church is made of people, of families, local churches, and that is where we want to move forward more and more, strengthening this bond in the power of the Holy Spirit," he emphasized.
On the same weekend, a church was reinaugurated downtown through the New Church Again project, which has already renovated 33 churches.
Joab Dantas was the engineer responsible for the project and said, "Being part of a work like this is of immense satisfaction. In a certain way, we are building the kingdom of heaven on earth. To be part of it is to be a [participant] in the great commission given by Jesus Christ."
See more photos here:
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The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.