Inter-America: Leadership honors past church administrators as church business meetings begin
May 17, 2011 – Miami, Florida, United States….Libna Stevens/IAD
Top church leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) honored scores of former regional administrators today. The special ceremony kicked off the first day of business meetings held at the IAD’s headquarter office in Miami, Florida.
“Inter-America has never been happier to see hundreds of years of service combined in one place as you gather here,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America as he addressed the packed auditorium.
“I see many who were my leaders when I was a student,” he continued. “We are still holding firm the faith you left, we still have the same hope you gave us, and we are still looking for the Second Coming of Jesus.”
Former union presidents, secretaries and treasurers traveled from throughout Inter-America in response to the special invitation to sit and have a voice during the first of two annual executive committee meetings.
“It is because of you that we are here,” said Pastor Leito. “We have followed the example you have left us, and we have one thing in common: the same Lord that led you is leading us today.”
It is because of the efforts of committed Seventh-day Adventists that the church has more than 3 million members today, said Pastor Leito as he reflected on when the IAD had only six unions. Today it has 21 unions. “I remember when the Inter-American Division had 60,000 church members and today it has 3.4 million,” he added.
Before plaques and special greetings were given to the honorees, Pastor George W. Brown, former IAD president and former union administrator, spoke via telephone to the assembled group and congratulated former and present leaders for the significant strides on the growth of the church in Inter-America.
“Inter-America has continued to mark the pace for the Adventist World Church,” said Pastor Brown. “From its record peak year of 1987 when the IAD for the first time reached one million members, from that time onward, the whole world has been on fire because of the example of Inter-America.”
Pastor Brown urged leaders to keep Inter-America in the forefront through a suggested four-point formula. “The Division must stay in faith and doctrines, be Christ-centered, spirit-led and be mission driven,” said Pastor Brown before congratulating the team for the outstanding growth seen so far in the IAD.
It’s a growth that has placed the church Inter-America at the top of the Adventist world divisions in membership and the leader in mission offering giving, said Pastor Leito.
Pastor Robert S. Folkenberg, former Adventist World President, who also served as president of the then Central American Union in the 1980s, was among the honorees.
“I feel so at home here in Inter-America,” said Pastor Folkenberg. “The years that Anita and I served in Inter-America were the best.”
After the ceremony, business meetings began with ministries and departmental reports, a strategic planning report, and programmed events, among others.
Inter-America’s Mid-year Committee Meetings will continue through May 19. For updates on voted initiatives and programs, visit us at www.interamerica.org
To view a photo gallery of the opening ceremony, go to Flickr
