Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

“Now is the time for God’s people to show themselves true to principle. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few—this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason.”1

“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body.”2

The Lord assures us: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Exodus 19:5, 6).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11–14).

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).

“Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world.”3

“When the truth we now cherish was first seen to be Bible truth, how very strange it appeared, and how strong was the opposition we had to meet in presenting it to the people for the first time; but how earnest and sincere were the obedient, truth-loving laborers! We were indeed a peculiar people. We were few in numbers, without wealth, without worldly wisdom or worldly honors; and yet we believed God and were strong and successful, a terror to evildoers. Our love for one another was steadfast; it was not easily shaken.”4

“As a people, we are looked upon as peculiar. Our position and faith distinguish us from every other denomination. If we are in life and character no better than worldlings, they will point the finger of scorn at us and say: ‘These are Seventh-day Adventists.’ ”5

“It is Satan’s work to mingle evil with good, and to remove the distinction between good and evil. Christ would have a church that labors to separate the evil from the good, whose members will not willingly tolerate wrongdoing, but will expel it from the heart and life.”6

“Those who will be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ to the immortal inheritance, will be peculiar. Yes, so peculiar that God places a mark upon them as His, wholly His. Think ye that God will receive, honor, and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name?”7

“Jesus is coming; and will He find a people conformed to the world? and will He acknowledge these as His people that He has purified unto Himself? Oh, no. None but the pure and holy will He acknowledge as His. Those who have been purified and made white through suffering, and have kept themselves separate, unspotted from the world, He will own as His.”8

“Satan has devised a state of things whereby the proclamation of the third angel’s message shall be bound about. We must beware of his plans and methods. There must be no toning down of the truth.”9

“Our only safety is to stand as God’s peculiar people. We must not yield one inch to the customs and fashions of this degenerate age, but stand in moral independence, making no compromise with its corrupt and idolatrous practices. It will require courage and independence to rise above the religious standard of the Christian world.”10

This is a solemn moment for our movement, as almost all of our dear pioneers are resting, and as new workers continue the Lord’s work, that the same faith, courage, and zeal for the truth that our pioneers had may also be ours. We feel the mighty hand of God upon His humble people during these 86 years of our existence as the prophesied Reform Movement. May the faith and the holy doctrines that make us a peculiar and separate people from the world be strengthened and confirmed.

Seminars and baptisms are being held, our institutions are carrying out our important mission throughout South America, where our work has already been established in most of the countries in that continent. Here are just a few samples of the newer projects which have occurred recently:

The first boarding school is now in Peru, a joint venture of great significance to our work, especially in the sense of preparing the young people to serve in the cause.

The canvassing work is established in almost all the countries, especially in Brazil, where we experimented with a canvassing school with positive results. By the grace of God we held the first holy convocation of canvassers in Brazil. We concluded with a dinner for the participants, there being approximately 300 people. It was a very uplifting experience for our people, especially for the colporteurs. Our goal is to have a worldwide holy convocation for colporteurs.

In regards to the economy we have been greatly blessed. We have established the biblical teaching found in Romans 13:8, to work without debts, and we have moved forward in this direction.

In almost all the unions and fields, pastors and ministers from their own countries are leading out the Lord’s work. This is a great victory for our Region.

In some South American countries the effects of global warming have been felt: For example, floods, earthquakes, and droughts. On the day of the huge Chilean earthquake, we praise God that we were still able to have our Sabbath School. Throughout the whole Sabbath day we felt the earth tremble beneath our feet. Electricity and communications were down. After a few days, along with the pastors of the Union, we went to visit our brethren and sisters who were affected the most. By a miracle from God, not one of our Chilean believers had lost his or her life. For all this may His name be praised. We believe that the mercy of God was and is about His humble people, who by His grace are looking to do His will.

Let us always keep in mind God’s design that there always be a live testimony in the church, that His people may be one; that they may have the same vision, the same spirit. This cannot be done without a clear, definite, and live testimony within the church.

The Lord calls us to a solemn re-consecration and a renewing of our vows to be faithful to our high calling as Reformers.

“It would be a scene well-pleasing to God and angels, would His professed followers in this generation unite, as did Israel of old [referring especially to the revival in the days of Nehemiah], in a solemn covenant to ‘observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes’ (Nehemiah 10:29).”11