In St Thomas, IADPA Bookstore Re-Locates to Larger Space, Added Resources
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North Caribbean Conference celebrated the relocation of its new InterAmerican Division Publishing Association (IADPA) Bookstore on St. Thomas during a special ceremony on April 23, 2023.
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IAD President Dr. Eli Henry, North Caribbean Conference President, Pastor Desmond F. James and InterAmerican Division Publishing Association President Pastor Saul Ortiz officiated at cutting of the ribbon to declare the facility opened on April, 23, 2023. Image by Hester Griffin
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North Caribbean Conference celebrated the relocation of its new InterAmerican Division Publishing Association (IADPA) Bookstore on St. Thomas during a special ceremony on April 23, 2023. The relocated IADPA Bookstore is a 1200 square foot space which includes a newly-added children’s reading corner, a compendium of books in Spanish, French and English, and a wide variety of vegetarian foods.
The move also offers more parking to better serve the immediate surrounding community on the US Virgin Island where space itself is at a premium.
Inter-American Division President Pastor Elie Henry, who officially opened the store, was pleased with the progress being made in the publishing ministry of the church through the IADPA bookstore.
Inter-American Division President Pastor Elie Henry speaking to the leaders, members and supporters at the opening of the relocated InterAmerican Division Publishing Association (IADPA) Bookstore on St. Thomas. Image by Hester Griffin
“As I travel from place to place, it is good to see the support and progress that the publishing ministry has received and is making throughout the IAD,” Henry said. “Books are the way by which the church went to many places. The message came to many regions by publications. Publishing Ministries is sharing what we receive. We must share our experience with others, and the ABC is a starting point for us to spread the word.”
Henry pointed out that, in an age where many are going online to download, we may think that we are losing ground in publishing. But “books are still being published and we will pray that this center on St. Thomas is a place where we can find the Word of God and find God, and this is where the health message is associated with publishing,” he said.
Pastor Desmond F James, president of the church in the North Caribbean Conference, also expressed support for the initiative. He referred to the relocation of the Adventist Book Center (ABC) as the “continuation of a 50-year legacy of ministry to the community of St. Thomas. It is a great moment to celebrate the vision of great leaders such as William Hamm who was a driving force in the opening of the book center and the late William Strickland who was the first manager of the ABC. We are looking to bring back the glory of the former years,” he said.
Clara Spengler, IADPA Bookstore’s regional director sharing about the book store and its offerings to the leaders of the Conference and constituency during the opening ceremony of the relocated bookstore. Image by Hester Griffin
The new store serves an Adventist community of more than 5,000 church members and a population of more than 42,000 across St. Thomas/St. John.
Clara Spengler, IADPA Bookstore’s regional director, was convinced that “we have so many books that will help the community to deal with those things that we are trying to prevent. An Adventist bookstore is a light wherever it is and may the light of this bookstore shine on each person,” she said.
“What we are doing is not just about selling a book,” said Phil Rogers, manager of the IADPA Bookstore. “But when someone comes to our store, it must be an experience - which is the ambience, the product, and the people. Our aim is to impact the islands of St. Thomas and St. John,” he said.
Pastor Noel James District, Pastor Glendon Cross, Ministerial Publishing and Family Ministries Director NCC, Pastor Jerry Languedoc President of the North Caribbean Conference, Pastor Desmond F James, Pastor Kendrick Glasgow, Associate District Pastor, President of the IAD Dr.Eli Henry, Phil Rogers National Manager IADPA, NCC, Pastor Pierre Rene Joseph District Pastor, InterAmerican Division Publishing Association President Pastor Saul Ortiz, Clara Spengler, IADPA Bookstore’s regional director, Desree Doyle, Regional Manager IADPA and NCC, Pastor Danhugh Gordon, District Pastor and Manager of WGOD Radio.
The upgraded facilities now provide all the reading materials that church members and the community at large needs to support, not only a healthier lifestyle but also to improve their awareness of the world’s eschatological position. In his remarks, Pastor Saul Ortiz, President of IADPA made a plea for prayers for those who are experiencing religious persecution, asking that we “take the opportunity to distribute our literature and may God bless us to bring spiritual reform through our books and magazines” as we advance in the overall mission and focus of the church, which is to impact the lives of the people it serves.