The South American Division (SAD), which oversees the Seventh-day Adventist Church in eight South American countries, presented its report on Sunday, July 6, during the 62nd General Conference Session at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri.
Delegates witnessed a presentation showcasing the ethnic and cultural diversity of a region wholly committed to the mission of preaching the gospel to all people. The report highlighted spiritual growth, personal transformation stories, and mission initiatives under the theme “A Living Church.”
After the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 was the year of the 61st General Conference Session, held online and in person. The Adventist Church in eight South American countries concluded the three-year period since then with positive outcomes and powerful testimonies to share.
What Is a Living Church?
The Living Church is a concept that mobilizes the 2,704,791 church members in South America, spread across more than 30,000 congregations and led by 5,563 pastors, to share the message of hope with every nation and people group.
Being a Living Church goes beyond members attending programs; it means actively and intentionally living out the mission. Through outreach projects, social initiatives, courses, and seminars, the church invites everyone to take part in a movement that transforms lives.
In Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands, institutions and members unite to make faith visible—inside and outside church walls. More than a structure or a calendar of events, a Living Church answers God’s call with willing hearts and active hands—so that hope may reach the world.
Inspiring Stories
Joventino André, a missionary from the Amazon, sets out daily in his boat to bring hope in the form of Bible studies to those along the river. “God knew me long before He made this world. He already had a plan for my life,” he says. With that conviction, he continues to be a Living Church to those who need it most.
Farther south, a mother who was visited by literature evangelists decided her daughters should attend an Adventist school. During a special program for mothers, Marilza felt convicted to surrender her life to Christ. Despite challenges after her baptism, she reinvented her professional path, brought her missionary heart into her workplace, and began Bible studies with her employees.
A pastoral family accepted the challenge of bringing the gospel to a region where Christianity is not widely accepted. For them, it was not only an answer to prayer but the fulfillment of their dream to serve missionally in the 10/40 Window.
Meanwhile, in Peru, a young man named Fernando felt the need to do more for God. He turned to social media and became a digital missionary influencer, drawing other young people to Christ. His project was a direct answer to prayer, and he partnered with Esperança (Hope), the virtual Bible instructor from Novo Tempo Network, to offer Bible studies through WhatsApp groups.
Visible Impact
Between 2022 and 2024, roughly 1,129,400 children and teens participated in evangelism and discipleship projects. In response to this growth, a new initiative was launched to improve children’s classrooms in churches—about 155 projects are currently underway.
In addition, 1,305,454 young people joined mission initiatives such as Caleb Mission, where they trade vacation time for volunteer work, and One Year in Mission, which sends young missionaries to communities across South America for a year of service.
More than 55,000 missionary books were distributed through the annual Hope Impact project, which shares a different book with the public each year. Meanwhile, 10,345 literature evangelists continue to bring Adventist literature into thousands of homes.
Adventist content is also making waves. Feliz7Play, a family-friendly digital platform, had nearly 1.4 million users and more than 47 million views in Portuguese and Spanish as of April 2025.
The Adventist Education Network continues to expand, with more than 406,000 students enrolled in schools, colleges, and universities across South America. These institutions aim to offer more than academic knowledge—they provide spiritual, social, and values-based growth.
Another avenue for spreading God’s message is the global Mission Refocus initiative, which promotes cross-cultural missionary service. Approximately 50 families are set to serve in 10/40 Window countries. Meanwhile, the Adventist Volunteer Service (AVS) currently supports 392 missionaries and volunteers worldwide.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the church’s humanitarian arm, served 3,909,913 people in South America. The Adventist Community Services (ASA) program, operating through local churches, assisted more than six million people.
Nearly 304,000 individuals are actively giving Bible studies, contributing to the 2,120,145 people who began studying the Bible through various methods, including digital platforms. The Novo Tempo Digital Bible School saw a 108-percent increase in engagement. Tithe also saw a significant 35.35-percent increase.
As a result of these many efforts, 690,242 people were baptized, giving their lives to Jesus—a clear sign that faith in action brings transformation and hope.
A Vision for Growth
The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s report for the eight countries in South America reflects the region’s vision for a church that is consistent, living, and relevant. These numbers are the result of united efforts and a shared mission of hope—one that continues to grow stronger.
This report highlights the church’s commitment to caring for the people who make up a vibrant, Living Church, one that is preparing many for Jesus’ soon return.
The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese news site. For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.
