More than 16,000 new converts joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church during baptismal ceremonies across the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory recently, thanks to an intense united evangelistic efforts conducted by local pastors, elders, laypersons, and small groups. This special event marked the second time that ordained local church elders were authorized across the 25 major church regions, or unions, within the IAD to officiate baptisms.

“This is a great feast today, where we can rejoice and celebrate together so many new people who have come to be part of the Kingdom,” said Elie Henry, president of the IAD, addressing more than 10,000 church leaders and members at a live event hub in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico, on February 22, 2025. “This is just a taste of the wonderful reunion we will have the privilege of participating in with Jesus for eternity.”

Henry encouraged listeners and viewers online to stay focused on purpose and mission, committing to educate, preach, and serve the communities in which they live.

Church Elders’ Role in Strengthening Evangelism

Josney Rodríguez, ministerial secretary of the IAD and the main organizer of the event, explained that the territory-wide event aimed to strengthen missionary work across the region and recognize the vital role church elders play in assisting pastors to shepherd more than 24,000 local congregations in the IAD.

“This is a momentous occasion where church elders, who have worked closely in preparing candidates for baptism, can share the joy of baptizing,” said Rodríguez.

He further emphasized that in Inter-America, the ministry of church elders is crucial because pastors often oversee multiple churches—sometimes up to 30 congregations—making the work of church elders indispensable.

Local field administrators worked diligently to authorize hundreds of church elders in preparation for this grand baptismal event, one of several organized by the IAD through the joint efforts of active church members engaged in Bible studies, small group ministries, and evangelistic campaigns.

Rodríguez, who oversees the ongoing training and certification of more than 40,000 church elders across the IAD, clarified that according to the church manual, ordained elders can officiate certain duties, including baby dedications, anointing the sick, and baptisms, when authorized or when a minister is unavailable.

Personal Stories of Baptism and Service

William De La Cruz Leon, 49, a church elder from the Central Cardenas Church in Tabasco, expressed his joy at the privilege of baptizing 15-year-old Jesús Manuel Ramírez.

“I’ve been a church elder for six years, and I’ve been ministering to Jesús Manuel through my small group. When I was told I could baptize him today during this grand event, I was overjoyed. It’s been an indescribable feeling,” he said. “It’s wonderful to experience the joy of baptizing someone who has chosen to follow Jesus.”

Born and raised in the church, with his father retiring as a pastor, De La Cruz shared that out of all his responsibilities, studying the Bible with Jesús Manuel and other young people at church has been one of the most meaningful experiences. His elderly parents were overjoyed and traveled to witness the baptism. De La Cruz, who works alongside seven other elders in his local church, ministers to a congregation of 400, supporting the pastor who oversees four other churches and a large group of believers in a nearby prison.

Rigoberto Zenteno, who has served as a church elder in the Olmeca Conference for over 30 years, is 71 years old and has held several evangelistic campaigns, led church boards, conducted funeral services, visited the sick, and led small groups.

However, he finds his greatest reward in baptizing individuals into the church. Zenteno has baptized more than 50 persons into the church.

In the last three months, Zenteno has been giving Bible studies to two women and a nine-year-old girl, all of whom traveled to be baptized during the event.

“Sharing Jesus and His love is an indescribable feeling, seeing and feeling the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives,” Zenteno said. He acknowledged the growing challenges of the times. “People struggle with habits they don’t want to let go of, but we continue planting the seeds of the gospel every day.”

Isaias Delgado, 48, a church elder at El Encanto Adventist Church in the Chontalpa Conference, said he was delighted to baptize two people during the baptismal celebration. He had studied the Bible with Ileana Jiménez, who had left the church for seven years but recently returned.

“This work of studying God’s Word and urging others to be ready for Jesus’s return in today’s distracting and complex times is challenging but so very rewarding,” said Delgado. “God is calling us to move quickly and keep reaching out to others with the message of hope before it’s too late.”

Participating in the Baptismal Celebration

De La Cruz, Zenteno, and Delgado were among 600 local church elders who traveled from the Olmeca and Chontalpa Conferences, part of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union, to participate in the baptismal celebration.

Abraham Sandoval, president of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union, reported that more than 800 new believers were baptized on-site during the live event, with the total number of baptisms for the day reaching 1,620.

“For our Union, church elders are fundamental in the life and development of the church,” he said. “Pastors in the union oversee an average of 15 churches each, and we have 5,000 church elders who assist in the leadership of the church. Church elders are the right hand of the pastor’s ministry, and we are proud of each of our elders.”

Mobilizing the Entire Church for Mission Work

During the morning Sabbath message, Abner De Los Santos, vice president of the General Conference, reassured the thousands gathered that God has entrusted each of them—and the new believers—with the task of sharing the gospel and making disciples.

“The mission is a privilege, especially for the elders who have the responsibility of guiding others to the feet of Jesus. You as elders and leaders are urged to mobilize the church and motivate all members to fulfill their part in the mission,” said De Los Santos. “The real challenge is getting every member involved in the mission, not just the average 20 percent of members who are active in mission in each congregation.”

Most Baptisms Across the Unions

Thousands more were baptized across the IAD, with more than 4,000 baptized in the Chiapas Mexican Union, 1,670 in the East Venezuela Union, 1,323 in the Panama Union, 1,006 in the Southeast Mexican Union, 715 in Haiti, and 638 baptized in the Jamaica Union, among others.

At the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston, Jamaica, First Elder Andrew Ranglin had the honor of baptizing Rohan Stephens, whom he studied the Bible with in less than three months. Stephens became the second person Ranglin baptized on February 22.

“I saw firsthand the marvelous grace of our Lord changing a person,” said Ranglin. “It was a great privilege to be authorized to baptize again. Although I’ve led many to accept Jesus, the first time I was authorized to baptize was in 2014.”

It was also the second time Daniel Martich from the Central Quisqueya Adventist Church in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was authorized to baptize someone he had prepared for baptism.

“I feel so happy to be part of someone’s journey to accepting Jesus as their Savior,” Martich said. “It’s a great privilege and responsibility to be an elder and a collaborator with Christ in the salvation of souls.”

Church Elders Recognized for Their Dedicated Service

Church elders throughout the IAD were honored with pins and certificates, along with their spouses, for their service and commitment to leading others to baptism, discipling members, and assisting pastors in shepherding congregations.

Pierre E. Omeler, general vice president of the General Conference, reminded church elders of their special calling to serve in their congregations, following Jesus’ example.

“God didn’t just call you, but He anointed you for the world,” Omeler said.

Nigel Coke, Bernardo Medina, and Stevens’ Rosado contributed information to this article.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site.