February 11, 2009 – Belize City, Belize…[Abilio Cima/IAD Staff]
Hundreds of pathfinders, church leaders and members flooded the Phillip Goldson's International Airport on Feb. 6, to welcome Adventist Church President Pastor Jan Paulsen on his first visit to the church in Belize.
As he was greeted by Mayor of Belize 
City Ms. Zenaida Moya and church leaders, Pastor Paulsen told leaders and media that his visit was primarily a spiritual one.
“I come to fellowship, to worship and to celebrate with the members [in Belize] since they have obtained a very unique status in the organization,” said Pastor Paulsen. “They have been recognized as a unit in themselves as a union of churches in Belize.”
The church in Belize, which was previously part of the North Central American Union, was established last year as the Belize Union of Churches. It responds directly to the leadership of the Inter-American Division headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States.
During his introductory statement during a Sabbath service the next day, Pastor Paulsen spoke to the more than 4,000 church members which crowded the Belize Civic Center.
“I have come to Belize with great expectations. Belize is now a union of churches, you have risen to a certain level of maturity and responsibility,” said Paulsen. He then urged members to pray for their leaders.
As Pastor Paulsen delivered his spiritual message, he encouraged those gathered to commit to the Holy Spirit and to unity.
“The Holy Spirit is there so that you will be a united community, and only the Holy Spirit can give you the power to preach,” he said. “As a community of believers you ought to stay united so that the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit will make you a powerful community to be His witnesses.”
During his visit to Belize, Pastor Paulsen also met with a group of six pastors from parts of the Caribbean region for a one-hour dialogue called Pastors: In Conversation, an Adventist World Church series of live and unscripted telecasts designed to reach out to pastors from different cultures on the challenges and opportunities in their ministry.
Located on the northeastern part of Central America, Belize borders Guatemala and Mexico and has over 31,000 Seventh-day Adventists worshiping in 75 churches and congregations.
