All five scholars from the Biblical Research Institute, as well as theologians from Andrews University, Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary, Linda Vista Adventist University, Loma Linda University, and Montemorelos University presented papers at the first division-wide Theological Symposium for Inter-America. More than five hundred pastors, administrators, Bible teachers, and students met on the campus of Dominican Adventist University in Bonao, Dominican Republic, May 7-9, 2009 for presentations and discussions focusing on the theme “Growing in Christ,” number eleven in the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s official statement of Fundamental Beliefs (http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html). In harmony with this theme, Pastor Israel Leito, IAD Division President in his Sabbath morning address, reminded the gathering that “Adventist theology is permeated by love and brings out the transformation of lives as a result.” Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, in remarks made during the closing ceremony, called the symposium “an important step and a good beginning.” He congratulated the leaders of the Inter-American Division, its union and various fields, and the university for organizing the symposium, adding, “I hope that similar events will be held in other parts of the world.” Franz Rios, who heads the Theology department at Dominican Adventist University, concurred: “We hope that this symposium can motivate Biblical research and as a result the church can experience a growing in Christ until the Lord comes in glory and majesty.” IAD and BRI leaders also inaugurated the new Centro de Investigación Bíblica on the university campus.

The symposium culminated with the attendees approving a two-page statement, which affirms the importance of this belief for the church’s mission and concludes: “Having affirmed the relevance of this belief for modern society in the context of the growing influence of spiritualism in the world, we rededicate ourselves to proclaiming to humanity by the power of the Holy Spirit the freedom that we have found in Christ, who enables us to grow in intimate communion with Him and with one another.”