Vanessa Alarcón – Denver, Colorado … The following is an interview with Pastor Rubén Rivera, the Hispanic Ministries coordinator of the Rocky Mountain Conference. Pastor Rivera is the author of the North American Division (NAD) “2024 Book of the Year for Hispanic Ministries Evangelism” titled, Abundant Life (El Camino a la Abundancia).

Vanessa Alarcón: Why was Saturday, September 30, a very special day for the Mid-America Union Conference?

Rubén Rivera: The city of Minneapolis was selected as part of our territory to celebrate the annual festival of El Centinela magazine, which is the missionary magazine that evangelizes the Hispanic community in the NAD. Additionally, that day, the Pacific Press officially announced the mass publishing of Abundant Life, the “2024 Book of the Year for Hispanic Ministries Evangelism” of the NAD. This is also the first time someone from the Mid-America Union Conference was selected to author the book of the year, and it’s an honor to be part of this historical moment.

Vanessa Alarcón: What inspired the theme and title of the book?

Rubén Rivera: This book offers glimpses of divine principles for establishing financial stability and growing abundantly in all aspects of life. I worked very closely with the Pacific Press Publishing Association on this project. Although I developed the ideas, it was really the public who chose the topic since the issue of finances has become so relevant in recent years.

Vanessa Alarcón: What is the main idea the book posits?

Rubén Rivera: Human beings by nature want to be happy and prosperous in all aspects of their lives. Unfortunately, the various current financial crises have affected the quality of life of the inhabitants of this nation. This book offers principles and guides that, when put into action, can reverse an unfavorable personal or family situation towards an abundant life.

Vanessa Alarcón: How is the book formatted?

Rubén Rivera: The book offers ten chapters where, in addition to dealing with financial aspects and personal improvement, several biblical doctrines are integrated. The content offers ideas and practical solutions in different areas of life. The intention is that, on each page, readers find Christ Jesus as the main solution to the dilemmas of their life.

Vanessa Alarcón: What challenge did you encounter when authoring the book?

Rubén Rivera: My challenge was precisely the writing process since I don’t have any training as an editor or in communications but rather in theology and ministry. I’ve always enjoyed contributing various articles for the magazine, El Centinela, and the Spanish version of the Adventist Review and publications outside of the United States. The only thing I can say is that God enables me to carry out this task, which I enjoy very much.

Vanessa Alarcón: When will the book be available to the public?

Rubén Rivera: It’s likely the book will be available in December, and it will only be published in the Spanish language.

—Vanessa Alarcón is elder and church clerk at Boulder Adventist Church. Photo by Vanessa Alarcon.