November 1, 2009 – Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
Top church leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Inter-America's 17 church regions officially began their Executive Committee meetings during a special opening ceremony earlier today in Miami, Florida.
Each leader reported on God's blessings in their respective region, and pleaded for God's continued blessings in Inter-America.
“We are mindful of the bountiful blessings of the Lord upon this Division during this quinquennium,” began Pastor Israel Leito, president for the church in Inter-America. “While we are cognizant of sufferings and depression and recession by both material and man-made causes, we have seen prosperity, we have seen rejoicing and now we say: Lord, do it again!”
The theme for this year's meetings is “Lord, do it again!” reflective of the many accomplishments during the current five-year period. With a membership of 3.1 million and growing fast, leaders also committed to continue the spiritual leadership needed during these troubling times.
“The Inter-American Division has a well-defined mission, a well-defined vision and has defined well what we should do to fulfill our mission and obtain our vision's objective,” said Pastor Leito as he read the mission, vision and values for the church and declared the executive meetings opened.
Pastor Ted Wilson, vice president for the Adventist World Church, spoke on the importance of the church's identity as the remnant church and encouraged leaders to move forward trusting God alone while facing challenges.
“As you review the beautiful facts on how God has led in the Inter-American Division as you ask God to repeat those beautiful things, remember it is because of your relationship with Christ that He is able to provide these blessings,” said Pastor Wilson.
“As we face the future, as we face these year-end meetings, as we try to understand what God has in store for us, remember that this is a remnant people, this is a special march that we are on and God is calling for you to be part of it,” Pastor Wilson charged the church leaders.
During the meeting, there was rejoicing and thanks to God for the new status of the Dominican, Inter-Oceanic, and French Antilles Guiana unions. Formerly union missions, the Adventist World Church granted each full-fledged, union conference status last month.
The two-hour opening ceremony was transmitted live over the internet and ended with a charge for continued commitment on the part of church leaders.
During the next four days, executive committee members will decide on evangelism strategies, initiatives, and policies, and report on church growth throughout the territory.
For more information on decisions taken during Inter-America's 2009 Year-End Executive Committee meetings, visit us at https://recursing-golick.147-182-135-0.plesk.page/
