“Don’t Give Up, There Is Still Hope.” That was the theme of a major evangelistic campaign launched from Mexico City. The Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia here has a rich history. It stands as a beacon of faith in this sprawling metropolis.
The Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia’s story began long ago. It started with an Italian missionary’s arrival in 1891. He distributed “The Great Controversy” written by Ellen G. White. This book is a key text for Seventh-day Adventists. Later, in 1899, George Washington Cavines and other missionaries established the first Adventist church. It was located in the Escandon Suburb.
The Tacubaya Seventh-day Adventist Church holds a special place. It was the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Mexico. In 2020, it celebrated its 120th anniversary. Leaders and members gathered to remember God’s blessings. They also celebrated the growth of the Adventist message throughout Mexico.
Noe Luna, an elderly member, remembers the old church building clearly. In 1960, they rebuilt the church. It was made bigger to seat 400 people. Before that, the original structure was much smaller.
Pastor Angel Ramírez pastored the Tacubaya Adventist Church in the 1970s. He recalled a time when 100 new members were baptized in one day. He spoke about installing new pews. He also mentioned the construction of the Adventist sanatorium next door.
Today, the Adventist Church in Mexico has grown significantly. There are five major church regions. These regions operate over 4,691 churches. They have more than 781,000 members. In Mexico City alone, there are 254 churches. These churches minister to over 88,000 members.
In 2024, Seventh-day Adventists celebrated 100 years of mission work in Mexico City. The Venustiano Carranza Cultural Center hosted the centennial event. Leaders and members reflected on the historic growth. They honored over 50 leaders for their contributions. Among them was 104-year-old Luz María Sollano Valdés.
The Mixcoac Adventist Church marked its 75th anniversary. Its origins trace back to 1945. Pastor Israel López of the Tacubaya Adventist Church challenged members to evangelize. Luis Hernández, a blind newspaper vendor, answered the call. He became the first missionary to open a church in Mixcoac.
Monumento Adventist Church celebrated its 77th anniversary. Pastor Elie Henry urged the congregation to seize every opportunity. He especially urged them to do so in challenging times.
In 2023, thousands of Adventists joined together for an online evangelistic campaign. It launched from Mexico City. The theme was “Don’t Give Up, There Is Still Hope”. The nightly programs were held at the Central Adventist Church in Mexico City.
The Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia continues to thrive. It is an agent of change in Mexico City. It remains committed to spreading the gospel. The church views each anniversary as a new beginning. The Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia reminds us that God never abandons us. Even in difficulty, He has a purpose.