Adventist Membership In Bolivia: A Comprehensive Overview

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bolivia, also known as the Bolivia Union Mission, has a strong presence in the country with a membership of over 130,000 people as of June 2023. The church is divided into four missions: Central Bolivia Mission, East Bolivia Mission, North Western Bolivia Mission, and South Western Bolivia Mission. The Adventist Church in Bolivia has a history dating back to the late 19th century when Brazilian Adventist canvasser Juan Sebastián Pereira arrived in the country. Despite facing challenges due to a lack of religious freedom, the church grew and now operates churches, schools, and universities across Bolivia. The church is committed to helping people understand the Bible and find freedom, healing, and hope.

Adventist membership in Bolivia is organised into missions, including the Central Bolivia Mission, East Bolivia Mission, and West Bolivia Mission

Adventist membership in Bolivia is organised into missions as part of the South American Division. The country is covered by the Bolivia Union Mission, which comprises four regional missions: the Central Bolivia Mission, the East Bolivia Mission, the North Western Bolivia Mission, and the South Western Bolivia Mission.

The Central Bolivia Mission covers the Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Oruro, and Potosi departments. As of 30 June 2022, it had 145 churches and 31,786 members out of a population of 4,293,403. The mission's headquarters are in Cochabamba, and it has a number of associated educational institutions, including several Adventist academies.

The East Bolivia Mission is based in Santa Cruz. In 2019, members of the Viacha Seventh-day Adventist Church in the region took to the streets to deliver missionary books as part of the Impacto Esperanza ("Hope Impact") program.

The North Western and South Western Bolivia Missions do not appear to have dedicated headquarters or publicly available membership statistics. However, the Bolivia Union Mission as a whole had 539 churches and 131,697 members as of 30 June 2023.

The West Bolivia Mission is an administrative unit of the Seventh-day Adventist Church located within the territory of the Bolivia Union Mission. Its offices are in La Paz, and its missionary field covers the departments of La Paz, Pando, and the General José Balliván Seguro province, part of the department of Beni. Throughout this territory, there are 216 churches and 377 groups, with a total membership of 62,783 Adventists. The average ratio of Adventists to inhabitants in this mission is 1 to 50. The West Bolivia Mission also administers a number of educational units, including academies and schools.

The Adventist Church in Bolivia has a strong educational focus, with a university, academies, and schools

The Adventist Education Organization of West Bolivia (ASEA-MBO) oversees 14 educational units across the country, with a motto of 'Educating and Redeeming'. These include academies in La Paz, El Alto, Caranavi, Chulumani, Palos Blancos, and Cobija. In addition, MBO administers several other educational units, bringing the total number of Adventist schools in Bolivia to 34 by 1974.

The Adventist Church in Bolivia has a long history of providing education and has been active in the country since the late 19th century. The first Adventist educational work began in 1920 in the city of Mauri, with a school for children and youth. The Adventist Church has grown steadily in Bolivia, and by 1974, there were already 34 Adventist schools in the country. The church's educational focus is not limited to its members, as it has also distributed over a million copies of the book 'The Great Controversy' to the broader Bolivian population since 2023.

Adventist members in Bolivia have been involved in distributing books and literature to spread their message

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bolivia has a strong commitment to spreading their message and helping people understand the Bible. This is evident through their various initiatives, such as the distribution of half a million books to places without an Adventist presence. The book, titled "The Great Controversy" in English, was distributed throughout Bolivia in both Spanish ("El Gran Conflicto") and the local language. The initiative, called "Impacto Esperanza" ("Hope Impact"), was carried out by the Bolivia Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with the help of students and teachers from the Adventist Education department. The goal was to bring the book to unreached people and places, and it was distributed through various means, including press conferences, media visits, and door-to-door deliveries.

The distribution of "The Great Controversy" is just one example of how Adventist members in Bolivia are actively involved in sharing literature to spread their message. They have also held rallies, parades, and motivational programs, reaching public schools and municipal authorities. In addition, the Adventist Church in Bolivia has a presence on social media and traditional media, with a Facebook page, Instagram account, and their own media production called "Tell the World." They also have a radio station, "New Time Adventist Radio," and a TV station, "New Time Communication Center-Bolivia."

The Adventist Church in Bolivia is well-organized, with different missions covering specific territories, such as the Central Bolivia Mission, East Bolivia Mission, and North Western Bolivia Mission. They also have a strong educational focus, with the Bolivia Adventist University and several Adventist academies offering degrees and education to both children and adults. The Adventist Education Organization of West Bolivia, for example, has the motto "Educating and Redeeming" and offers Adventist Education through its 14 educational units spread across the country.

The Adventist members in Bolivia are dedicated to their mission of proclaiming the Gospel and testifying about God's love. They have faced challenges, such as civil and political unrest, but they remain committed to bringing hope and helping people find freedom, healing, and hope through a better understanding of the Bible.

Adventist members in Bolivia have been encouraged to pray and fast during times of civil and political unrest

Daily prayer sessions were organised across the country, and on November 9, 2019, over 125,000 church members were invited to participate in a day of fasting and prayer. Adventist leaders emphasised their respect for political leaders and their non-interference in partisan politics, instead encouraging members to vote according to their conscience. The church also reiterated its opposition to any form of violence and abuse, upholding the principles of love, peace, kindness, and self-control.

In addition to prayer, Adventist members took active steps to spread hope and peace amidst the turmoil. In the eastern region, Pathfinder Club members and Adventist youth took to the streets to pray for peace and distributed literature on finding hope. In western Bolivia, leaders and members prayed specifically for God's protection over Adventist schools. In central Bolivia, public demonstrations occurred near the Bolivia Adventist University, prompting faculty, staff, and students to gather and pray for God's protection. The collective efforts of Adventist members across the country demonstrated their commitment to their faith and their desire to bring peace and hope to their nation during challenging times.

The Adventist Church in Bolivia respects political leaders and does not interfere in partisan politics

The Adventist Church in Bolivia has a long and fascinating history, with a presence in the country dating back to the late 19th century. The church has grown and expanded over the years, and today, the Adventist Church in Bolivia is organised into several missions, including the Central Bolivia Mission, East Bolivia Mission, North Western Bolivia Mission, and South Western Bolivia Mission, all of which are part of the Bolivia Union Mission. As of June 30, 2023, the total membership of the Adventist Church in Bolivia was reported to be 131,697.

The Adventist Church in Bolivia has a clear position of respect for political leaders and non-interference in partisan politics. Hiram Kalbermatter, the former president of the Adventist Church in Bolivia, emphasised that the church follows the example of Jesus and respects duly constituted political leaders, in line with the guidance of the Bible. The church refrains from interfering in matters related to partisan politics and supports the freedom of its members to vote according to their conscience.

This stance was notably demonstrated during a period of civil and political unrest in Bolivia following a contested election in October 2019. In the midst of widespread public demonstrations and social protests, church leaders called on members to pray and fast, seeking God's intervention in the situation. The Adventist Church's response reflected its commitment to peace and respect for authority, while also upholding the freedom of choice for its members.

The Adventist Church in Bolivia is actively involved in various initiatives to spread its message and serve the community. One notable example is the distribution of the book "The Great Controversy" to unreached areas of the country. In 2023 and 2024, over a million copies of the book were distributed, bringing a message of hope and motivation to Bolivian homes.

The church also has a strong educational presence in Bolivia, with institutions such as the Bolivia Adventist University and various Adventist academies offering primary and secondary education. The Adventist Education Organization of West Bolivia, for instance, has 14 educational units spread across several cities, offering Adventist education under the motto of "Educating and Redeeming."

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