Adventists Advocate for Protecting, Honoring the Elderly Across Inter-America

Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists filled churches, city streets, and communities across the Inter-American Division (IAD) to advocate for an end to violence during this year’s enditnow campaign, a global initiative mobilizing Adventists and community groups to speak out against abuse and promote nonviolence.

Sabbath services on August 23 highlighted the campaign’s biblical mandate to “honor your father and your mother,” with a special focus on elderly individuals, often overlooked, and the responsibility to treat them, as well as parents and guardians, with dignity and respect. That weekend, members marched through cities across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, and Venezuela, carrying banners and posters denouncing violence in homes, public spaces, and elder-care facilities. Many also visited seniors, distributing food and care packages in homes and communities.

“For us in the Inter-American Division, enditnow reflects our commitment to promoting peace, dignity, and the safety of all people—children, women, and seniors,” said Sandra Pinto, IAD Children and adolescents and Women’s Ministries director. She added that the church must take a strong position against violence to strengthen Christian values of love, respect, and justice and promote a safer society.

Rallying Against Violence

Across The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands, hundreds of young people, women, and men rallied in community centers and along main streets to protect those who are vulnerable, particularly elderly individuals. Activities included distributing more than 700 food packages, care packages with toiletries and cleaning supplies, and health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar screenings. At a mass rally in Errol Bodie Community Park, Grand Bahama, social worker Godfrey Theoc and chief superintendent Will Hart urged communities to cultivate safe and loving environments for seniors.

In Turks and Caicos, Raphael Delpeche, Family Ministries director, stressed, “Abuse of elderly individuals is a stain on our collective conscience. Listen to their cries—they also have a story to tell.”

Honoring Seniors

Concern for seniors was also highlighted in Colombia, where local church leaders addressed the growing problem of elder abuse. In the first months of 2024 the National Institute of Legal Medicine reported more than 3,000 cases of interpersonal and domestic violence affecting older adults. More than 5,000 church members took part in enditnow activities, including awareness talks, marches, home visits, healthy breakfasts, radio programs, and tributes celebrating grandparents. Some congregations promoted daily acts of love, such as sharing meals, spending quality time, or recording seniors’ testimonies to preserve their faith legacy.

Celebrations honoring seniors took place across Colombia. Isabel Bastidas of Barranquilla, homebound for more than four years because of illness, returned to church with the help of deaconesses. Her daughter said, “We were overjoyed to see her back in God’s house, something we couldn’t have done alone.”

In Venezuela, church members also took to the streets to raise awareness about violence against women, children, and seniors. More than 1,500 seniors were visited in their homes, while volunteers cleaned homes and nursing facilities and distributed food and care packages.

Regional Marches and Community Outreach

In Panama, Adventist churches honored seniors within congregations with special programs and gifted care packages on Sabbath.

Marchers, including Adventurer, Pathfinder, and Master Guide clubs, as well as students from Adventist schools and hundreds of women, visited nursing homes, spent time with seniors, and engaged them in painting, crafts, and other interactive activities.

Ruben Dario Molina Jaen, a former navy serviceman, reflected, “I’ve traveled the world and speak Italian and French, but I often feel alone without my family’s support. Today the Adventist Church brightened my heart by spending time with us. I hope they return soon—it’s good to have the company of people, especially those who love God.”

Similarly, in Mexico, churches focused on honoring seniors within their congregations, offering care packages, free medical services, health screenings, social visits, and interactive programs that encouraged seniors to share their experiences and faith, fostering connection, support, and a sense of belonging.

In El Salvador, church members participated in marches, community events, and meal distributions for seniors. Yesenia Chicas de Cornejo, who led a march in Zaragoza, emphasized, “Promoting an end to violence is everyone’s responsibility, especially for us as followers of Christ.” Herbert Escobar, administrator of the Central Salvadoran Association, added that homes and churches must serve as centers of peace, reaffirming the church’s mission to promote hope and reconciliation.

Raising Awareness and Advocacy

Women’s Ministries leaders throughout the Caribbean Union Conference engaged in interactive sessions that equipped them with practical tools to confront domestic violence in their communities. Women learned to recognize signs of abuse, develop safety plans, and provide empathetic support.

Edith Fraser challenged attendees, “Domestic violence is not just a woman’s issue, but a societal concern. Solutions must involve the church, communities, institutions, and governments.”

In the Dominican Republic, churches organized marches and public gatherings with expert-led discussions on preventing domestic and elder abuse. Workshops highlighted the importance of promoting respect, care, and reconciliation within families and communities, while reinforcing the church’s role as a source of hope and advocacy.

Jamaica saw awareness efforts focused on protecting elderly individuals, often vulnerable to neglect, financial exploitation, and abuse. Lorraine Vernal, Jamaica Union Conference director of Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Ministries, urged, “We must become advocates—watch out for the old people and help them wherever you can.” Participants held street meetings and distributed literature and prayers. Braeton member Rose Brown reflected, “Every step we take together makes a difference for our seniors and our community.”

A United Stand

Reflecting on the enditnow activities across the region, Sandra Pinto expressed her joy at seeing so many actively participate. She highlighted how the church’s united efforts to say no to violence are not only a stand for victims but also a commitment to protecting families, strengthening communities, and safeguarding the future. “It is truly inspiring to see how our churches unite with a common purpose,” Pinto said.

Henry R. Moncur III, Cristin Serrano, Johana Garcia, Fabricio Rivera, Kimarley Walker Medley, Royston Philbert, Gabriela Becerra, Helena Corona, and Victor Martínez contributed information to this article.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.