Remembering the past inspires faith here at Iglesia Adventista del S\u00e9ptimo D\u00eda. It stands as a testament to a growing Adventist mission. This church is part of a story that stretches back over a century.
In June 2023 Spanish Adventists celebrated 120 years since the arrival of the first missionaries. Frank Bond was 26. His brother Walter was 24. Walter’s wife Leola Gerow also joined them. They arrived in Barcelona on June 22 1903.
A year later on June 29 1904 the first three people were baptized. They joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spain. Jos\u00e9 Abella became a pastor later. Lola Casals became a Bible instructor. Maria Serra was Lola’s mother.
Gabriel Diaz is the SUC evangelism director. He said it is impressive to see what the pioneers did. Those were not easy times. Yet after a year of hard work and prayer they celebrated. They celebrated the first three baptized members.
As of June 2024 Spain has 123 established churches. There are also 38 companies. More than 19000 baptized members belong to them.
The Iglesia Adventista del S\u00e9ptimo D\u00eda remembers meaningful moments. A baptismal ceremony marked 120 years of the Adventist Church in Spain. Three people with different stories were baptized. Each story showed the different ways God reaches people.
Carolina was the first person baptized. She is a former flight attendant. She was serving time in a Madrid prison. Carolina got a 48-hour permit. This allowed her to attend the Adventist meetings and her baptism.
Carolina said she was always searching for God. She heard God calling her in jail. Diaz encouraged her. He said she was boarding the best flight in her life. It would take her to her heavenly home. He added she had an important mission in prison. She should reach out and win others for Jesus.
Carolina’s experience highlights Adventist Prison Ministries. It launched in Madrid in 2020. It started by visiting one person. Now it holds meetings for 150 people sometimes more. Prison Ministries has grown to include seven centers in the Madrid region. More than 60 church members devote time to reach out to those serving time. They do this every Saturday and Sunday.
Nicolas was the second person baptized. His story gives hope to parents whose children have left the church. Nicolas accepted Jesus as His Savior as a child. Growing up Nicolas chose another path. It took him away from God.
Eventually Nicolas grew desperate. He had terrible thoughts. In his darkest moment he remembered the gospel message from his childhood. Nicolas surrendered his life and heart to God. He looked for an Adventist church. The congregation embraced him. He received Bible studies. He got ready for baptism.
Omar was the third baptized person. He grew up in Colombia. He decided to serve his church as a child. Omar became an altar boy. Then he became a catechist. Eventually he trained to become a priest. Omar kept asking himself questions. He felt something was missing in his life.
Omar found a copy of Ellen G. White’s book Steps to Christ. He studied it with Adventist acquaintances. Omar became a Greek Orthodox priest. He served first in Colombia and later in Spain. Remembering Steps to Christ Omar looked for an Adventist congregation.
Diaz said the veil that covered Omar’s eyes was unveiled. He began to find the answers he had looked for. Omar thanked God for bringing him to the church. He asked God to keep leading his life.
After the ceremony church leaders welcomed the new members. Diaz told Carolina she was going back to prison. But now she was free. General Conference president Ted N. C. Wilson welcomed the new members. He said all of heaven was rejoicing. He welcomed them into the worldwide Adventist family.
Inter-European Division president Mario Brito also addressed the new members. He remembered his own baptism. He was not born into an Adventist home. He was a young person in the world. When he decided to follow the Lord almost all his friends deserted him. He felt alone. But God gave him much more.
SUC president Oscar Lopez promised support to the new members. He said they would stand up together if they stumbled. They would keep walking until Jesus comes. Iglesia Adventista del S\u00e9ptimo D\u00eda stands as a beacon. It shines with stories of transformation and faith.