May 6, 2011 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD
More than 200 church leaders from throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America have arrived in Miami for days of advisory and committee meetings which begins tomorrow. But they paused today during a special worship service for spiritual nourishment and to focus on Constant In Prayer, a revival and reformation initiative that was launched earlier this year.
“We are delighted that you are here and want you to know that in Inter-America we are serious about revival and reformation,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America as he introduced the top leadership of the Inter-American Division headquarter office.
Revival and reformation is one of three major strategic objectives that will be part of the life of the church for the next five years and beyond.
Constant in Prayer seeks to motivate each church member to be in a closer connection with God through constant prayer and study of the bible.
Already, dozens of territory-wide Constant in Prayer programs have taken place.
Pastor Abner De Los Santos, vice president overseer of the spiritual revival initiative in Inter-America, said the initiative is the answer to the challenge set forth by the Adventist World Church to not only motivate all church members to pursue a personal spiritual revival but also to reach the more than 270 million people in the 33 countries which comprise Inter-America.
“This will only be possible through our efforts with revival and reformation and the power of the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of people,” said De Los Santos.
“Reformation needs to begin with us, within our offices, the Division, within the unions, the local fields, and down to the church,” he added.
“Our main objective with these meetings is to see how we can improve on being able to impact our churches in a positive way with spiritual revival through programs within your department,” explained Herrera.
“The church did not create departments to make the programs for the local church but to help the local church fulfill its mission,” he added.
“Everything that your department promotes and the materials it puts out should support the spirituality of the church through prayer, the study of the Word and testifying. That’s what strengthens the church,” said Herrera.
During the program, several prayer sessions took place as leaders consecrated and committed to embracing revival and reformation in functions of their departments and ministries.
Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary of the church in Inter-America, challenged the leaders to look inwardly, surrender and recommit to a stronger communion with God as they get more involved in the Constant in Prayer initiative.
As he reflected on the second chapter of Joel, Dr. Henry said, “This is the moment to return to God, to come to Jesus and with open hearts and humility, know that he is a God of love, He is faithful and promises us an extraordinary future with Him”.
“It is the special moment as our Division enters a new life planning and launching programs for the next few years,” said Henry.
Leaders will continue with a divine Sabbath morning worship service tomorrow before plunging into separate departmental advisories from May 8-11.
To find out more about Inter-America’s Constant in Prayer initiative, visit us at
www.praying4revival.org and www.estamosorando.org
To view the photo gallery visit www.flickr.com/phogos/interamerica
For news updates on Constant in Prayer initiative throughout the IAD, visit us at www.interamerica.org
Resources
Constant in Prayer: http://praying4revival.org
Facebook – click here
Spanish Resources
Constantes en la Oracion: http://estamosorando.org
Facebook click here
