enditnow® mobilizes thousands across Inter-America in stand against violence

Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists took action to spread their message against abuse and violence on August 22. They filled streets, parks, and public spaces across the Inter-American Division (IAD) with marches, community programs, prayer, and acts of service as part of the global enditnow® emphasis Sabbath.

From the Bahamas and the Caribbean to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela, church members called for an end to violence by carrying banners, distributing literature, holding educational programs, and reaching vulnerable people with food and other practical assistance.

Children and young people march through communities in the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union region, holding signs against violence and abuse as part of the enditnow® emphasis. Photo: Courtesy of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union

Activities centered on this year’s theme, “Moved with Compassion,” which challenged members to recognize abuse and respond to suffering with the compassion Jesus demonstrated. The special Sabbath was part of a broader 31-day IAD campaign throughout August featuring daily digital reflections, practical challenges, and shareable resources designed to make compassion an everyday response to abuse and violence.

Young people in Antigua hold signs reading “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence” and “Hands Are for Helping” as they march through the streets as part of the enditnow® emphasis. Photo: Vaughn Joseph

For Sandra Pinto, Women’s Ministries, Children, and Youth Ministries director for IAD, seeing that message move into communities across the territory was significant.

“It was deeply moving to see the mobilization throughout Inter-America,” Pinto said. “It wasn’t just marches with signs; we saw compassion in its purest form.”

Young adults, women, and entire families prayed for people in need, provided food to vulnerable families, and offered encouragement and guidance to those experiencing hardship, she said.

“It was faith moving beyond the four walls of the church to embrace the pain of the community,” Pinto said.

Dozens of church members march through the streets of Nassau, Bahamas, carrying an enditnow® banner and signs calling for an end to violence and abuse before gathering for a public rally. Photo: John Garcia

In Nassau, Bahamas, members of the South Bahamas Conference marched along East Street before gathering at Rawson Square for a rally that was broadcast on national radio. Church leaders, advocates, and community representatives addressed domestic violence, child abuse, and gender-based violence.

Ann Marie Davis, wife of the prime minister of the Bahamas, told participants that compassion must lead to action.

“Compassion is not only about caring,” Davis said. “It is about allowing that care to move us into action.” She called on communities to refuse silence, support those healing from abuse, and work toward environments where people feel safe and valued.

Senate President J. Lashell Adderley speaks during the enditnow® rally in Nassau, Bahamas, calling on churches and communities to speak out against violence and abuse. Photo: John Garcia

Senate President J. LaShell Adderley challenged churches to recognize their responsibility toward people experiencing abuse, while Marissa Mason-Smith, chair of the Protection Against Violence Commission, urged participants to continue speaking and acting after the rally ended.

“This evening we march with compassion, but tomorrow we must act with courage,” Mason-Smith said, emphasizing that sustained action can turn a single voice into a movement committed to protecting people and restoring dignity.

Marchers carry signs denouncing violence against women and children as they make their way through the streets of Panama as part of the enditnow® emphasis. Photo: Courtesy of the Panama Union

Similar public demonstrations took place across the territory.

In Panama, children, young adults, and adults from churches across the country joined the enditnow® emphasis. In Panama City, members of the Metropolitan Panama Conference marched along Vía España carrying signs denouncing physical, psychological, verbal, economic, and sexual violence. Participants also distributed books and magazines promoting stronger families and healthier communities.

Children in Panama learn about violence and why it is not acceptable as they participate in a coloring activity. Photo: Courtesy of the Panama Union

In Antigua and St. Kitts, marches organized by the South Leeward Conference responded to concerns about crime and violence. Participants in Antigua stopped at four locations to pray for victims and their families, while young people stopped along the route to encourage their peers to prioritize mental health in St. Kitts. Radio, television, and online coverage extended the message beyond those participating in person.

Holding signs against all forms of violence and abuse, church members march through the streets of Antigua, stopping along the route to pray for victims and their families as part of the enditnow® emphasis. Photo: Vaughn Joseph

“This march was an effort to remove the stigma associated with abuse and allow victims to recognize that they can seek help,” said Kay White, women’s ministries director for the South Leeward Conference. “The department will continue to be the voice for the voiceless.”

Hundreds also took to the streets in Nueva Concepción, Escuintla, in southern Guatemala, where peaceful walks were accompanied by health services and awareness programs. Participants of all ages distributed literature and carried signs calling attention to domestic and gender-based violence.

In eastern Venezuela, reports included dozens witnessing marches and walks, community talks, and other outreach activities, with additional prevention marches planned in other local fields. Marches and awareness activities were also reported in the western Venezuela territory.

Church members march through southern Guatemala, raising awareness against violence and abuse. Photo: Courtesy of the Guatemala Union

In Colombia, congregations translated the enditnow® message into both public advocacy and practical service.

Across the North Colombian Union Conference, the Caribbean and Atlantic Colombia conferences, and the Islands Mission, churches reached older adults, workers, people experiencing homelessness, and other community members. Activities were designed to move from a message about compassion to tangible acts of Christian service.

enditnow® marchers in western Venezuela take a stand against violence and abuse. Photo: Courtesy of the West Venezuela Union

In Cartagena, Colombia, participants delivered 16 baskets containing food, personal-care items, and messages of hope from children and adolescents to older adults. In Santa Marta, members of women’s ministries, Pathfinders, and Master Guides distributed literature and messages of hope around the bay. On San Andrés Island, members provided clothing and 100 meals to people experiencing homelessness.

In Cartagena, women’s ministries and children and adolescent ministries members spend time with an older adult during the distribution of baskets. Photo: Courtesy of the North Colombian Union Conference

“enditnow® reminds us that, as a church, we are called to transform our minds and hearts to love, respect, and care for people,” said Isabel Aguilar, Women’s Ministries, Children, and Youth Ministries director for the North Colombian Union Conference. “We want our society to feel that we are here to support, bless, and accompany them, following the example of Jesus.”

Across the South Colombian Union Conference, the prevention message moved from pulpits into parks and public squares through sermons, Sabbath school programs, seminars, workshops, marches, and acts of kindness.

In Bogotá, Colombia, church leaders offer a welcoming space for people who need encouragement, with a sign inviting passersby, “If you are having a bad day, sit here.” Photo: Courtesy of the South Colombian Union Conference

Silvia Lozano, Women’s Ministries director for the South Colombian Union Conference, described the emphasis as a call to become “more compassionate with those who suffer, more proactive in detecting situations of abuse,” and more Christlike in responding to vulnerable people.

Lady Oviedo, Children and Youth Ministries director for the South Colombian Union Conference, urged parents and guardians to educate, observe, and act.

“A child who is suffering does not always say it with words,” Oviedo said, urging families to report and seek help when they suspect abuse.

Church members hold signs after a community walk in Colombia, where they raised awareness about violence and abuse and prayed for those in need. Photo: Courtesy of South Colombia Union Conference

Churches across Mexico also adapted the emphasis to their local communities.

At the Mérida 61 Adventist Church in Yucatán, in the Southeast Mexican Union Mission, nearly 100 people attended workshops and a roundtable examining different forms of violence from the perspectives of professionals in psychology, law, and nutrition. Local pastor Josué Contreras said addressing violence helps reinforce the church as a safe community for women, children, and families.

Women’s ministries leaders in the Southeast Mexican Union Mission lead a panel discussion to raise awareness about violence and abuse as part of the enditnow® emphasis. Photo: Courtesy of the Southeast Mexican Union Mission

In the North Mexican Union Conference, women invited friends to church discussions, shared specially produced videos with non-Adventist friends through WhatsApp, and distributed food in Chihuahua. A march was also held in the Valley Mexican Conference in the Central Mexican Union Conference.

Awareness programs were also reported in churches in the southern region of the Dominican Republic.

In Chihuahua, Mexico, church members hold a sign offering prayer to those in need while others serve hot food to passersby as part of the enditnow® emphasis. Photo: Courtesy of the North Mexican Union Conference

The August 22 mobilization was part of a monthlong enditnow® emphasis across Inter-America that began August 1 with daily social media videos, reflections, compassion challenges, and digital resources encouraging members to recognize abuse and respond in practical ways.

Pinto said the digital component has been especially important because abuse often thrives in isolation. Sharing messages of compassion, resources, and encouragement, she said, can help break the stigma and potentially connect someone experiencing abuse with needed support.

“Love Without Hitting,” “No More Violence,” and “Stop the Violence” were among the messages held by children during a special enditnow® program at a park in Toluca, State of Mexico. Photo: Courtesy of the Central Mexican Union Mission

But the commitment cannot end with the campaign, Pinto emphasized.

“Abuse is a heartbreaking reality that affects millions of people every day,” she said. “We cannot allow compassion to become an event that happens only one month a year.”

Pointing to the biblical call in Proverbs 31:8 to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, Pinto said the responsibility extends well beyond marches and campaigns.

“True religion does not look the other way,” she said. “It remains, protects, and restores every day of the year.”

enditnow® marchers take to the streets in the Dominican Republic, sharing messages of compassion and calling for an end to violence and abuse. Photo: Courtesy of the Dominican Union Conference

enditnow® is a global Seventh-day Adventist initiative that raises awareness of abuse and violence in all its forms and calls church members to help create safer homes, churches, and communities. Through education, prevention, advocacy, and practical support, the initiative encourages Adventists to speak up for those who are vulnerable, respond with compassion, and help connect those experiencing abuse with appropriate resources.

Michelle Greene, Cristin Serrano, Laura Acosta, Johana García, Kay White, Victor Martínez, Abdiel Patraca, Gaby Chagolla, and Bernardo Medina contributed information to this report.

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