On January 22, 2025, around 5:00 p.m., local time in Barbosa, Santander, Colombia, the worldwide delegation of the church, gathered in prayer and expectation, announced the elected president of the General Conference of the Reform Movement. Or rather, they reelected Pastor Eli Tenorio to the position.
But this president’s story began long before that solemn afternoon—before his first cry, before his first breath. In the beginning, his existence was not a reason for joy, but for anguish. The woman carrying him in her womb did not know what to do.
Maria Lindinalva, or “Nalva,” as friends and neighbors called her, was a weary mother, burdened by poverty and endless worries. She lived with her three children in a home where every meal was counted, and the future held no guarantees. Faced with a cruel dilemma, she turned to those around her for advice. The response was practical and absolute:
“Nalva, you can’t have another child right now! There’s no space, no food. Think carefully—it’s best to end this pregnancy.”
She hesitated. She wept. But in her desperation, she gave in. With no one to turn to for support, she sought out a homemade herbal remedy, one that, according to popular belief, would make the baby vanish before ever seeing the light of day. But what seemed to be an inevitable end, God turned into a silent miracle. Eli’s tiny heart refused to stop beating, as if the child knew that something greater awaited him.
When Eli was born, everything changed for Nalva. The woman who had once thought she would never hold him now clung to him as if she never wanted to let go. The doubts dissolved the moment his tiny eyes opened to the world. Every little detail of that baby’s face was not only a reminder of the mistake she had nearly made but also of the gift that God had given her. From that moment on, she loved him with all her strength, as if each tender touch was a silent celebration of life itself.
Eli grew up without resentment. He never felt bitter upon learning of his mother’s decision. Instead, his heart overflowed with love for the woman who, despite everything, had been by his side all along. She taught him to be strong, to face life with courage, and to never give up—even when everything seemed lost.
But life would not make things easy for him. By the age of five, he had already learned that the world is not kind to those who have little. At that young age, he would walk the streets collecting recyclables to sell. At nine, he got his first job at a clothing store. But it was at fourteen that his life took an unexpected turn. In pursuit of education, he had to leave his small hometown of Pirapozinho, São Paulo, and travel to Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, where his father and brother lived. What he did not yet know was that this move would lead him to the institution that would change his life forever, the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement.
His first encounter with this faith felt like an irresistible calling. On that first Sabbath, he accompanied his father and brother to a study of the 2,300-day prophecy. His love for mathematics drew him in immediately—the precision of prophetic calculations was too exact to ignore. At 15 years old, he made his decision. He stepped into the waters of baptism. At that moment, he knew his life would belong solely to God.
Time passed. The boy who was never meant to be born had become a man of faith. At 17, he was called to serve as Assistant Canvassing Director in the São Paulo Field, where he worked for over two years. But God still had another wonderful surprise for him.
In 1986, he attended his brother’s Neemias’ wedding. He had no idea that, at that event, he would meet the woman with whom he would share his life. Her name was Lázara Leopoldino. She was reserved, but with captivating beauty. Soon after, he wrote her a letter. Then another. And another. Their exchange of letters deepened, and in 1990, at the age of 20, they were married.
At 26, Eli was ordained a pastor. Three years later, he became a minister.
But embracing faith did not eliminate challenges. Since childhood, soccer had been his passion, his freedom, his belonging, his refuge in difficult moments. But when he joined the church, he heard something that made him rethink his priorities: the time he dedicated to the game could be invested in something greater.
It was an internal struggle. How could he abandon something that had been part of him for so long? At first, the sound of the ball still called out to him. But slowly, God began shaping his heart. Exchanging soccer for the Bible was not a loss. It was a gain. The thrill of the game transformed into spiritual fervor. The victories on the field gave way to victories of faith. The energy once spent on sports became fuel for his communion with Christ. And that was when he discovered that the hardest choices are often the ones that shape us the most. What Eli never imagined was that this unexpected journey would take him further than he had ever dreamed.
He never saw himself as a pastor. He admired the church’s leaders but never pictured himself being called to such great responsibility. But God had other plans. Ministry was not a title—it was a consequence of his love for souls. Providence opened doors he would never have dared to open on his own.
And so, many years later, in 2019, during the Session in Itu, São Paulo, Brazil, the election for General Conference president took place. That was when Eli understood: it was not about merit. It was about purpose. He had not planned to be there. But God had planned it for him.
God guided every step of his journey. Divine grace overcame every challenge. Looking back, Eli does not see pain or resentment. He sees purpose. His story is not just about survival, it is about redemption. And not just his own. The redemption of his mother. The redemption of his father. And the redemption of all those who once found themselves without hope and discovered that the love of God is powerful enough to transform even the most difficult beginnings into torches of light.
Now that you have learned about the journey of the man whom God’s people on Earth have reelected, the editorial team of this magazine will now present his perspective on fundamental topics for the Church and for faith.
“Arise and Shine!” Magazine: Given the cultural and lifestyle differences among our people in over a hundred countries, how do doctrinal structure and the love of Jesus contribute to the unity of God’s people?
Pastor Eli Tenorio: “Traveling the world and visiting our Church in different countries has taught me a truth I will never forget—we are one worldwide family. I have been to places where the culture, the language, and the customs were completely different from my own. Yet, every time I walked into a Reform Movement church, I felt truly at home. And do you know why? Because we share a doctrinal and spiritual identity. This is why our unity cannot be based on temporary things, but rather on the doctrines that Christ Himself gave us. God’s Law is the expression of His character. Every principle we uphold, every truth we preserve, should unite us in a way that goes far beyond geographical or cultural barriers. Wherever I go, I see brothers and sisters nourished by the same Word, keeping the same day, living the same values. It doesn’t matter if I am in Asia, Africa, Europe, or America—what unites us is our commitment to truth. We are living in challenging times. The world is becoming increasingly divided, fragmented, filled with ideologies that seek to separate people. Yes, evil tries to infiltrate the Church, but we must remain steadfast, because our foundation should not be human opinions, but the eternal truth of God’s Word.”
“Arise and Shine!” Magazine: Given the pressures of today’s world, what challenges does the Church face in engaging teenagers and young people in God’s work?
Pastor Eli Tenorio: “If there is one mistake, we, as a Church, have made, it is underestimating the potential of young people. They have energy, creativity, and courage. They are capable of much more than we imagine. But for that to happen, they need to feel that there is space for them to act, that their voices are heard. The modern world works against them, presenting a lifestyle that fills the mind but not the heart. And when we fail to give them a greater purpose, they find purpose elsewhere. Fortunately, something remarkable is happening. Bible sales are on the rise, driven primarily by Generation Z. While the book market grew by only 1% last year, Bible sales rose by 22%. This growth signals a renewed interest in the Scriptures, especially among young adults. Generation Z is rediscovering the power of the Bible and looking to it for answers to life’s biggest questions.1 And that tells me something important: Young people are not rejecting faith. What they reject is a shallow experience. What they truly want is something deeper, something beyond the surface level and the obvious. They seek meaning, they seek purpose, they seek God. And what is our role in all of this? First, we need to believe in them. It’s not enough to just say that they are the future of the Church. That’s not true. They are the present, and they need to be involved now. I remember when I was baptized at 15. The very next Sunday evening, my name was already on the list of preachers. That changed my life. Young people want to feel useful. They want challenges. They want to be part of the mission. And we need to give them that opportunity. If we do that, we won’t have to convince them to stay in the Church. They will stay because they will feel that this is where they belong. This is their place.”
“Arise and Shine!” Magazine: What message of encouragement would you like to share with the worldwide Church?
Pastor Eli Tenorio: “If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is that God always has a greater purpose than what we can see. We are living in decisive times. The world changes every day. Trials are increasing. The enemy tries to divide us, weaken us, and separate us from one another. But now is the time to unite more than ever before. God’s work is not in the hands of one person alone—it is in the hands of all of us. Every brother, every sister, every young person, every child is all part of this mission. The latter rain is coming. Christ is returning. And He is calling you and me to be faithful, to stand firm, to not let the distractions of this world pull us away from what truly matters. This is my appeal: Let us work together, with all our hearts. Let us each experience the love of God and, as a result, show the world that Christ’s love is real—that His grace transforms lives, that there is hope for all who seek Him, and that very soon, we will all be together in our heavenly home. A home where there will be no more goodbyes, no more pain, no more tears—only joy, eternity, and the presence of our Savior. That is my message. May God bless us all in the next five years that we will share in this faith—unless Christ returns before then.”
By Dorval Fagundes | Editor
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Trachtenberg, J. (2024, December 1). Sales of Bibles are booming, fueled by first-time buyers and new versions. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://tinyurl.com/24bwpfbq.
“O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, the work that You did in their days, in the days of old.” (Psalm 44:1.)
“Things we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praises of the Lord, His strength, and the wonderful works He has done […] so that the next generation would know them, the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children, so that they would put their trust in God, not forget the works of God, and keep His commandments.” (Psalm 78:3, 4, 6, 7.)
The Beginnings of the Reform Movement
At the dawn of the 20th century, the brilliant message of the SDA Reform Movement reached Colombia, just as other religious movements outside Catholic orthodoxy were beginning to gain ground. This arrival took place after a long and oppressive period of the Inquisition, which had left its mark on Cartagena de Indias, an echo of which was only just beginning to fade. In 1939, a man named Carlos Kozel arrived in Bogotá, bringing with him the hope of the gospel. For three days, he walked the streets of the capital, seeking souls thirsty for the truth, until he met a kind man who, with a gesture of friendliness, connected him with a Seventh-day Adventist—a postal worker—whose encounter would prove decisive.
This Adventist opened the door to several brethren who, touched by the Reform message, embraced it fervently. With the growing interest, the need for support became clear; thus, from Chile came the missionary José Carmen León, who, along with his family, settled in Colombia. This brave man of prayer soon faced enormous challenges. A Catholic mob, led by a priest, threatened him with death, but, by the grace of God, he found himself preaching before them for three days, which bore fruit by sparking a sincere interest in his message.
However, his mission was not an easy one. José León had to counter the influence of fanatics and false prophets who claimed to have divine revelations. One of his greatest challenges was enduring the dark period known as “La Violencia” [The violence] between 1946 and 1958, a time when the first Adventist chapel was blown up with dynamite, and the brethren suffered humiliation and persecution. Amid these adversities, faith became their refuge, and hope, their banner.
After the Crisis of 1951–52
Following the crisis that hit the Reform Movement in 1951, Colombia did not receive a visit from the original movement again until the early 1970s. With the morning of this new era, two faithful pioneers and pastors, Desiderio Devai and Alfons Balbach, dedicated themselves to sowing the fruitful Reformer message. It was a time when Colombia’s political constitution granted a privileged position to the Catholic Church, yet these unforgettable men worked tirelessly across various strategic locations in the country.
They established themselves in Bogotá, the capital, known as the “Athens of South America,” and in Medellín, the city of eternal spring. Here, by God’s grace and after a series of meetings, twenty souls were brought into the fold. They also visited Barranquilla, the Golden Gate; Cúcuta, the Pearl of the North; Bucaramanga, our beautiful city, where seventeen souls joined the faith; Ibagué, the musical capital of Colombia, where three persons decided to give their lives to the Lord; and Cali, the third largest city in the country, known as the Pearl of the Valley.
Thanks to their fervent prayers and heroic efforts—and after numerous visits during a time when missionary work was arduous, with meetings that extended for hours, days, and nights—they succeeded in awakening approximately seventy believers. This group, composed of members, interested individuals, and a select group of Colombian pioneers, dedicated themselves to continuing to sow the marvelous message. Among them were notable figures such as Margarita Zorrilla and Elicenia Loaiza from Cali; Emiliano Bonilla and Gonzalo Arciniegas from Bucaramanga; Lucrecia Wellman, Adela Ávila, and Isabel Lizcano from Ibagué; Aracelly Macías and Custodia Arenas from Bogotá; and Luis Amador, Manuel Martínez, and Carlos Hamburge from Barranquilla, along with Floriberto Londoño, Esther Yepez, Rosa Emilia Flores, and Judith Muñoz from Medellín, among others.
Later, the country was blessed by the arrival and work of other messengers of the Word of the Lord, such as Pastors Carmelo Palazzolo, Marcelino León, Francisco Devai, João Moreno, José Romero, Herinaldo da Silva Gomes, Alfredo Carlos Sas, Matheus Souza, Duraisamy Sureshkumar, and Homero Paredes. Some of these men are still alive, while others, as self-sacrificing servants of God, now rest in the dust of the earth, awaiting the glorious day of resurrection. “And their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13.)
For Several Years
For many years, the work in Colombia relied on a single worker to serve the entire Colombian field: Brother Andrés Alfidio Decena, a Peruvian national. However, by the grace of God, in 1984, the first Colombian was sent to study at the Missionary School in Lima, Peru: Brother José Ángel Usuga Góez. On May 19, 1990, he was ordained as a pastor, becoming the first Colombian pastor. Years later, another young man, Brother Óscar Orlando Rangel Monsalve, was also sent to Peru for theological education.
Registration and Legal Status
On August 13, 1971, the work was registered in the charming city of Medellín, located in the heart of Antioquia, Colombia. During those years, the headquarters offices were established in this city, where they obtained legal recognition. However, in 1987, the offices were moved to Santa Fe de Bogotá, and with the support of a worldwide offering, the headquarters was acquired in the majestic capital of the Republic.
Providence had another chapter reserved in the history of this inspiring work. In 2006, after settling a debt with the General Conference’s colportage department under the leadership of our brethren Ricaurte Fajardo and Nelson Ruiz, the work evolved from an Association to the Colombian Union, composed of three Fields: the Central Field, based in Bogotá; the Southern Field, in Medellín; and the Northern Field, in Bucaramanga. Thus, the headquarters and offices returned to the beautiful city of Medellín, where they found a home until August 2014.
At that time, the headquarters was relocated to the Eben-Ezer Camp, in Barbosa, Santander, where it remains radiating light and transforming lives.
Acquisition of Our Current
Headquarters: Eben-Ezer Camp
In 1999, the executive committee of the Colombian Association, together with the Regional Secretary of the General Conference, acquired a six-hectare property in the Pozo Negro area, in Barbosa, Santander. This purchase was made possible thanks to the assistance and generous contributions of the church in Colombia, with the purpose of holding spiritual events and establishing institutions for the work, as previously, national meetings had been held in rented venues. Thus, the Eben-Ezer Camp of the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement was born. In the year 2000, the first national meeting took place, beginning a long list of events that have continued until today, always under God’s blessing.
Little by little, with prayer and fasting, and thanks to the generous offerings of the brethren, this place has been transformed into a welcoming and comfortable space. Today, it has sufficient accommodations for the staff of the Colombian Union, the Hebron Hotel, the Canaan Restaurant, our beautiful temple, the facilities of the Missionary School, the DVIDA Channel, the Colombian Union offices, and spacious green areas.
Institutions: Their Beginnings and Outreach
Bethel Missionary School—In March 1995, the then Colombian Field, aware of the urgent need for trained workers to support the growth of the work, drew inspiration from writings about the schools of the prophets. Thus began the first class of the Bethel Missionary School in a modest chapel in Curalito, Tolima. That memorable first class included five students: Hermenciano Guiza, Edgar Moreno, Luis Alfredo Rubiano, José Manuel Acevedo, and Claudio Tarazona. Since then, Bethel Missionary School has graduated 21 classes, preparing men and women who, in God’s hands, have become qualified leaders, pastors, and preachers within the Reform Movement, not only in Colombia but also in other countries.
To this day, Bethel Missionary School continues to be a training ground for workers prepared by God, thanks to the dedication and effort of capable and consecrated teachers who, years earlier, also received their training at a missionary school.
Open and Distance Missionary School (EMBAD)—This project was developed with the goal of enabling all church members of the Reform Movement to become missionaries and skilled leaders, equipped to work effectively in their local churches and at the national level. This wonderful project began thanks to the initiative and efforts of our brethren Alfredo Rubiano and José Vicente Guiza, who created written modules that were sent to students’ homes. From these efforts emerged the first graduating class of EMBAD in 2006. In 2018, it gained new energy with the support of the Colombian Union committee, under the leadership of Pastor Nasareno Turushina, and through the efforts of Brother Samuel Hurtado Melo, who expanded EMBAD’s reach nationally and internationally by adopting a virtual format using an online platform.
Since then, EMBAD has had twenty cohorts of students, fourteen of which have completed the program and six of which are currently in progress. Over two hundred and thirty brethren have accessed the institution; among them, eighty-five have completed their studies, and seventy-seven are currently enrolled.
Our graduates have become local leaders within their churches and countries, equipped with stronger tools to support the work of God in their fields. By the grace of the Lord, a good number of EMBAD graduates have received the call to work in the Lord’s service as missionaries or have been promoted to pastoral ministry.
Fundación
ODED Educational Foundation—In its virtual format, this program was born from the concern of Sister Olga Lucía Ortiz, who, as a mother and educator, understood the powerful influence schools have in the corruption of children and youth when they stray from God’s precepts. With this purpose in mind, she sought to provide an educational alternative for families wishing to raise their children in the fear of the Lord.
In 2018, she presented the Homeschool Project proposal to the Colombian Union, and the following year, in 2019, with the support of Pastor Nasareno Turushina, Brother Samuel Hurtado and Nancy Valderrama, the project was launched. Since then, various brethren have joined, contributing their professional expertise and strengthening ODED’s educational offerings.
To date, ODED offers preschool, special, secondary, and adult education. There is no denying that the Lord has used this institution as an instrument of blessing for families who desire to educate their children in the fear of God from home. By the power of the Lord, the ODED Educational Foundation has reached more than 200 families, of whom 50% come from other religious denominations.
DVIDA Communications—DVIDA is the official channel in Colombia, recognized by the General Conference, and it has served as a model and inspiration for other unions that have chosen to establish communications departments in their own countries. It was founded on October 16, 2016, by our brethren Eduardo Merlos, William Fuentes, Nasareno Turushina, Ruth Mayorga, Juan David Suárez, Yeison Bogotá, Desiderio Galvis, Edgar Moreno, and other collaborators.
One of its major accomplishments took place during the pandemic when, by God’s grace, DVIDA became a benchmark in the Spanish-speaking church community. Each day, it served the church community with various programming, reaching more than 25 million people. Due to these excellent results, four full-time employees were appointed to manage the Department of Communications.
With God’s blessing and the support of union administration, associations, the General Conference, and donations, DVIDA continuously upgrades its equipment to provide audiovisual content to serve the church in its various departments.
In the past three years under the leadership of its current director, Diego Moreno, God has enabled DVIDA to reach 23 million people. Through its Bible studies, more than 150 persons have decided to be baptized—a testament to the impact this channel has had on many lives.
DVIDA Bible School—On March 18, 2024, the Colombian Union and the director of the Missionary Schools, Pastor Desiderio Galvis, launched the DVIDA Bible School project. This endeavor was supported by the Brothers Samuel Hurtado and Diego Moreno, along with the DVIDA team, who worked diligently to bring this wonderful initiative to life. The primary goal of the school is to offer church members, as well as individuals from other denominations, the opportunity to engage in a deep analysis of each book of the Bible. Currently, the DVIDA Bible School has eight students who, by God’s grace, we are confident will successfully complete the program.
It is important to emphasize that all the institutions mentioned have received essential and unwavering support from the representatives of the General Conference, for which the Colombian Union is eternally grateful.
Growth
Currently, by the grace and mercy of our God, the work in Colombia has 8 ministers, 6 pastors, 5 church elders, 27 missionaries, 1030 church members, and one thousand eight hundred supporters. Furthermore, the work continues to advance and progress thanks to the institutions mentioned, as well as the diligent, tireless, and intelligent efforts of the leaders in the UNICOL council, the three Fields with their respective teams, and each of the churches within these Fields. These churches not only support each project but also continuously contribute ideas for the progress of the work in Colombia.
Conclusion
“There is a work of sacred importance for ministers and people to do. They are to study the history of the cause and people of God. They are not to forget the past dealing of God with His people. They are to revive and recount the truths that have come to seem of little value to those who do not know by personal experience of the power and brightness that accompanied them when they were first seen and understood. In all their original freshness and power, these truths are to be given to the world.” —Manuscript 22, 1890.
All our pioneers have left us a great legacy that we must honor and carry forward with courage and resolve. It is our responsibility to emulate, as much as possible, the spirit of loyalty, self-denial, and sacrifice that they taught us. Moreover, we have the privilege of upholding the banner of truth that they placed in our hands. They were true reformers, often leaving their families and exposing their lives to fulfill their duty.
“To men of principle, faith, and daring, the world is indebted for its great reforms. By such men the work of reform for this time must be carried forward.”—The Great Controversy, p. 460.
“The Lord will have a people as true as steel, and with faith as firm as the granite rock. They are to be His witnesses in the world, His instrumentalities to do a special, a glorious work in the day of His preparation.” —Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, p. 590.
William Forero |
President of the Colombian Union
Behind every figure and financial report lie stories of faith, dedication, and perseverance that uphold the mission of our church. Financial management goes far beyond accounts payable and receivable or spreadsheets. It transcends these factors, resulting in transformed lives, strengthened communities, and the ongoing work of God reaching souls across the globe. Every cent managed and resource invested carries the weight of responsibility and the privilege of serving in the Lord’s vineyard.
In this regard, every decision reflects the tireless efforts of brothers and sisters who, motivated by faith, move the Divine arm and make the impossible possible. With this vision of commitment and thanksgiving, we continue in our charge to ensure that the management of the church’s resources embodies transparency, integrity, and love.
The financial manager of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement plays a fundamental role in overseeing finances and maintaining transparency and integrity in resource management within our religious community. Among the responsibilities of this position is budget management, which involves not only preparing the budget but also managing expenses to align with income (revenues). The manager must also develop medium- and long-term strategies to ensure financial stability, considering the church’s future expenditures.
In financial reporting to various administrative levels, transparency is demonstrated through clear, up-to-date, accurate reports that, as much as possible, are presented in simple language. These reports benefit members of the General Conference executive committee, the board of directors, certain government regulatory bodies, and most importantly, the GC Delegation, which brings together representatives from around the world.
The Role of Technological Revolution
I vividly remember my early years in the treasury, starting in one of our offices in Southern Brazil in 1983, at the headquarters of ASSURIG (South-Rio-Grandense Field) in Porto Alegre. At that time, payments received from colporteurs arrived by payment order, and the wait was lengthy: it could take three to four days until the funds were finally available for withdrawal. The pace was vastly different from today, but that was our reality back then. Key communications were carried out through letters sent by mail, each carrying the anticipation of days of waiting for responses that could shift the course of decisions.
Then, everything changed in 1985. By that time, I was already assisting in the treasury of the Brazilian Union. There, I received news of something that would forever change our way of working. A groundbreaking piece of equipment called a fax machine arrived at the central post office in Brasília. It was a mystery to most. To me, however, it represented hope. By placing a document in the machine, it would scan the page, and in mere minutes, a copy appeared on the other end of the line, anywhere in the world. It was revolutionary! I still recall the excitement of sending the first financial report from UMARBRA (the ancient Brazilian Missionary Union; today, there are two Unions) to the General Conference using this technology. A new era in financial management began, and I had the honor of being the first Brazilian to use this tool to connect our mission globally. At that moment, I realized it wasn’t merely a technological leap; it was a new pathway to unite resources, people, and efforts in the work of God.
Today, there are countless communication conveniences, all of which are instantaneous. With just two clicks, information travels from one device to another. WhatsApp and email have become the primary tools for sending and receiving reports. Similar practicality exists in most countries for transferring and receiving funds, facilitated by financial institution apps such as Wire Transfer®, ACH®, Wise®, Zelle®, PayPal®, and instant deposits. In short, it’s clear that there’s virtually no justification for delays in reporting.
Moreover, it is essential to ensure that all financial commitments are paid and processed on time and to maintain the church’s compliance with applicable tax and regulatory laws, both in civil and ecclesiastical contexts, wherever possible.
A third aspect of our responsibility is to raise awareness among members about the importance of personal stewardship and its relationship with God, while also guiding individuals in managing their household finances. This role requires a blend of financial expertise, ethics, and sensitivity to the church’s spiritual and social mission.
Complex Tasks — Collecting and Distributing
Fourth, there is a responsibility that may seem simple to a casual observer: the collection and distribution of the church’s financial resources. However, this task demands careful and responsible management, as we have learned from past examples. In ancient Israel, treasuries were established in the cities and villages of each tribe, with a central treasury in Jerusalem to organize and manage the nation’s resources. Yet, over the centuries, this quality declined until it ceased altogether during Babylonian captivity.
Now, imagine Nehemiah, a remarkable administrator and visionary of the post-exilic era, surrounded by books and records, reestablishing those treasuries during the period of reform he led. With meticulous attention to every detail, he reorganized the financial system, ensuring that tithes and offerings were carefully set apart and used for the right purposes. His vision was clear: each donation should be applied with wisdom and justice, reflecting the will of God. Nehemiah understood that the fair distribution of resources was essential to sustain worship and service throughout the kingdom. You can observe this careful administration in Nehemiah chapter 13, where the reformer reaffirmed the importance of a transparent and organized management system for the well-being of all.
So, where does the complexity lie in collecting and distributing? Luke 6:38 says: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” The complexity lies in the manner and intent behind the distribution of resources. Keeping this context in mind, consider this example: in a Mission or Conference that receives funds from local churches, suppose the treasurer is careless with the timing of sending these funds to the Union or General Conference. The reports will be delayed, and the amounts due will not arrive on time. What will be the result? This person will not receive blessings in donation income. It’s that simple! Therefore, sending funds and reports promptly is also a way of expressing gratitude. “Putting God first” means obeying.
But what does it mean, in practice, to put God first? What impact does gratitude have on financial management?
To understand this, we can recall what happened when Jesus was in the temple with His disciples. He watched as people brought their offerings to the altar, and amid the crowd, He noticed a very poor widow who, with a humble gesture, placed her last two coins on the altar. To many, it seemed like an insignificant offering, but Jesus highlighted the extraordinary value of that act. He told His disciples, “Of a truth, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all” (Luke 21:1–4). It was the purity of her intention, the genuine gratitude she displayed, giving all she had, that made her offering the most valuable of all. This act of selflessness and gratitude powerfully testifies that, in divine mathematics, the more we give, the more we receive.
This lesson also resonates in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. In it, we see that the three servants had different reactions to what they were entrusted with. The first two responded with gratitude and diligence, meeting the Lord’s expectations and sharing in His joy. However, the third, with a spirit of distrust and ingratitude, accused his master of reaping where he had not sown. As a result, the talent he possessed was taken from him and given to the one with ten talents.
The parable teaches us that, if we work with a grateful heart, we will reap positive outcomes, both spiritually and financially, blessing those around us as well. But when doubt and distrust take hold, the results can be disastrous, as happened with the servant labeled “wicked and lazy.” The talents God entrusts to His servants will ultimately return to the Giver, and none will be lost. God assures that, in the end, those who have been faithful will receive what is due, and all talents will be used for the greater good.
Recognize, then, that gratitude profoundly impacts the work in God’s ministry. The first result of this gratitude comes to the giver, who brings their tithes and offerings to the house of God, as this is the only way to express gratitude to the Lord. Christ provided no other means. Thus, with every offering, there is an opportunity to express our faith and our trust that the more we give, the more we receive, exactly as the biblical stories and living testimonies around us teach.
“The Lord does not need our offerings. We cannot enrich Him by our gifts. Says the psalmist: ‘All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.’ Yet God permits us to show our appreciation of His mercies by self-sacrificing efforts to extend the same to others. This is the only way in which it is possible for us to manifest our gratitude and love to God. He has provided no other.” — The Review and Herald, December 6, 1887. [Emphasis added.]
The second result impacts the administrator, who will sow blessings at every level and for all people, with a spirit of gratitude. In this way, resources flow into the church’s treasury.
What is the greatest challenge in the General Conference treasury?
Undoubtedly, it is the multitude of numerous factors: diverse administrative and accounting cultures, data entry methods, conditions that hinder communication, methods for sending information, and the distinct legislation of each country. Added to this is the challenge posed by varying levels of education and digital literacy, which are also significant factors. According to the Working Policy, the treasurer is responsible for standardizing all accounting operations within our organization, but, in practice, achieving this is a massive undertaking that requires human, financial, and time resources that are not readily available. Thus, it becomes clear that a very specific structure is needed. Naturally, the auditing sector faces the same challenges mentioned, and there is substantial room for improvement and enhancement.
A God-Inspired Rule
Considering the sacred account of Joseph in Genesis 41, the future governor of Egypt suggested a fundamental economic principle to Pharaoh that proved highly effective for both enterprises and household finances: saving 20% of resources for future use and/or investments. This rule spared Egyptians and foreigners alike from a cruel death by famine.
When Joseph rose to the position of administrator, he was entrusted with an enormous responsibility: to ensure the entire nation was prepared to face seven years of scarcity. During the years of abundance, he organized the storage of grain and kept accurate records of everything harvested and stored. Through clear and transparent management, he eliminated waste, ensuring sufficient provision for the difficult times ahead.
When the years of famine arrived, his careful administration enabled Egypt to sustain not only its own population but also those from other nations who came seeking help.
By applying this principle, financial issues can be avoided. In church administration, we must maintain the necessary balance to avoid extremes; that is, while one region may have surplus resources, others may be in great need. At this point, a reform is urgently needed. The example of the early church, recorded in the book of Acts, should be repeated in our day, especially as money will lose all value in the near future. Now is the time to dedicate every necessary resource to the preaching of the gospel to all nations.
Reflection and Gratitude
I invite you, reader, to reflect on our condition as a people and as individuals. What are we doing to hasten the return of Jesus? According to Jesus Himself, His return depends on the gospel reaching the entire world, and there are still billions who do not know the eternal gospel.
In closing, I have much for which to thank God, even though I do not fully comprehend all that He has done for me and for us in these 12 years that I have collaborated with Him in His work here in Roanoke. I would like to highlight just two points that come to mind:
1. Freed from the Need to “Put Out Fires” — After working in various treasuries where I had to decide which bills to pay—meaning choosing which debt(s) to defer due to lack of funds—I have, in recent years, managed actual resources. Praise be to God for this. Out of ignorance, lack of knowledge, or simply lack of planning, both on my part and that of other collaborators, we often worked “putting out fires,” constantly operating in emergency mode, with no time or opportunity to establish and implement a budgetary policy that would yield positive results. Some years went by in this way until we experienced the satisfaction of managing an entity that operates with a budget. For this, I am immensely grateful to God for teaching me this lesson.
2. Making Efforts — “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Learning certain lessons requires dedication and resilience. Sometimes we must apply greater effort to achieve the necessary results, and this is precisely what happened in my administration when we transformed negative budgets into positive ones. It was only in the last four years that we achieved success in this regard, and I thank God for enabling this change.
To conclude in the best way, I lack the words to adequately express the deep meaning of leaving the position in a far better state than when I received it. May our great and eternal God be praised and glorified. Amen.
Your brother in this blessed hope,
Rudolfo Gessner
