IAD President Answers Questions on Session and Its Impact on the Church in Inter-America
Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
In just a few days, thousands of Seventh-day Adventists will join the church’s worldwide delegation for its business meetings in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, for the church’s 58th General Conference Session. The Session will be held from June 30 to July 9.
Boasting the largest delegation of all world divisions, the Inter-American Division will send more than 250 delegates representing the over 2.5 million church members in its territory.
But Pastor Israel Leito, president for the church in Inter-America, says that numbers are not the most important thing.
“Our numbers should not be the dominant factor in our participation at the business meeting,” says Pastor Leito. “Our dedication and participation in supplying the world church with autochthonous ideas that can be practiced in other parts of the world is our goal.”
“The Inter-American Division does not go to the session to dominate, but to contribute,” he adds.
Part of the church business agenda at the session will include the election of church leaders of world church as well as world Divisions, which is expected to be complete by July 7.
Pastor Israel Leito, president for the church in Inter-America since 1996, answers questions on the role of IAD and its direction, as a new quinquennium begins for Inter-America.
QUESTION: What do you expect from IAD delegates this year and how important is the role of delegates for this session?
Pastor LEITO: The role of delegates to the church’s business meetings is an important job that church leaders want to stress. I expect the IAD delegates to be inspired, but above all, for them to get a fresh glimpse of the urgency of the times to do our best to take the gospel to all the inhabitants of our territory. During the session, I hope all delegates will be very responsible by attending all the sessions, and actively participate by contributing all the have for the good of the church worldwide.
QUESTION: With the session’s theme “Transformed in Christ,” What are your feelings about this session and what seems different as far as the emphasis for our Division in the changing times?
Pastor LEITO: Although this session appears to be uneventful, the direction that the General Conference president has given the church and especially this session, is very important. Transformed in Christ means for us to really make Jesus paramount in our lives and the way we do things. It implies that every day we must be sure that He is the One leading out thoughts and actions.
QUESTION: How do you think this theme will affect the direction of the church in the IAD during the next quinquennium?
Pastor LEITO: There is no limit to the usefulness of the person when self is put aside, and Christ becomes the driving force in all we do. If the church in Inter-America can continue to let Christ be the guiding force, there is no limit to what we can do. I expect a great revival, where living in Christ and for Christ will take a way all those things that may hinder God’s work. This [coming] quinquennium promises to be one unlike any other.
QUESTION: The IAD has been in the forefront of church growth in the last 20 years. By the year 2000, membership increased to 2 million. This year, the IAD surpassed the 2.5 million member mark. Are there any goals set for 2010 to have over 3 million members?
Pastor LEITO: Certainly, the conclusion of our report to the General Conference session will be an invitation for the world church to come and celebrate with us in 2010 when we are certain to have passed the 3 million member mark.
QUESTION: How challenging has it been for the IAD to maintain steady growth in our changing world?
Pastor LEITO: Adaptability is the key. IAD is very eclectic in its approach to soul winning. We are allowing each union to choose and practice that which works best for them. We are always pushing for new ideas and methods of work, learning from others and constantly researching and developing new ideas and methods to respond to the changing world. Stagnation and sticking to what has worked in the past is the surest way of slipping and lagging behind. By the Lord’s grace, we want to avoid the proficiency trap, and not to slumber on past successes, but always challenge ourselves to do more and better.
QUESTION: There is much emphasis put by the world church on how we as Adventists in the different world divisions need to address the challenges to nurture and retain membership growth in the church. What is the IAD prepared to do to nurture and retain its 2.5 million members and beyond?
Pastor LEITO: Inter-America has addressed this issue from the beginning of this past quinquennium, more than any other time. Coupled with growth, our strategic plan has asked for consolidation of our gains. The Division has made remarkable progress in membership retention. Our retention rate has improved compared to the previous quinquennium, from 97.9 to 98.35% of the total membership. This has been the reason for our net growth of 660,962 over the previous quinquennium. Last quinquennium the Lord has helped us to retain 72.60% of those baptized. This quinquennium has seen a good improvement also in the area, where 76.65% of those baptized remain in the faith. We wish to retain them all, and will continue to work on improving this ratio.
QUESTION: There is an issue to be addressed at the General Conference session regarding world and local church regions to reduce staff and reorganize its territory. How is that going to affect Inter-America?
Pastor LEITO: I don’t expect any reduction at the General Conference at this time. The IAD does not expect reductions either. With the growth we are sustaining, we cannot do the work with less people. The Unions are reorganizing themselves to better serve the church. Nearly all our unions have been affected by some sort reorganization in their territory. We will continue to further address the issue of better attention to the member.
QUESTION: What vision do you see for the IAD for the next five years and beyond?:
Pastor LEITO: We expect to reach over 3 million members, we want to see the Seventh-day Adventist Church on all major roadways in IAD. We want to see over 20,000 colporteurs going from door to door with the message, we want to see more schools where the children of church members can get a solid Christian education. We want the youth of this church to be aware that this is their church and that the church needs them urgently to lead the church and put their shoulders into the task. This they have done marvelously in the past, but we don’t want our church to grow gray, we want it to be vigorous and strong, and this can only be done with the overwhelming participation of the young people. We want to have a committed teaching staff at all our universities, and above all, we want our leaders to lead by example.
For information on the latest news on the session and decisions affecting the Inter-American Division, visit www.interamerica.org
