Inter-America: Church leadership begin the year ready set to celebrate the laity
January 7, 2013 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens
Pastor Israel Leito (right), president of the church in the Inter-American Division, reflected on God’s blessing in 2012 and highlighted upcoming events and initiatives during a special worship service to begin the new year at the headquarters office in Miami, Florida, Jan. 7, 2013. At left is Dr. Jaime Castrejon, IATS president, translating. Image by Libna Stevens
Seventh-day Adventist leaders and staff of the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarter office officially welcomed the new year by reflecting on the blessings of 2012 and by turning their sights on what is expected to become a 2013 packed with dozens of lay evangelism efforts. This year has been designated the Year of the Laityin Inter-America.
The more than 85 ministers and staff members prayed together and recommitted themselves to fulfilling the mission of the church in sharing the gospel as servants of God, during a special worship service held in Miami, Florida, earlier today.
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, welcomed IAD staff members and reminded them about the importance of reflecting on God’s blessings throughout the church in the IAD and looking forward to celebrating the work of thousands of laypeople in the territory.
IAD staff participated in prayer sessions during the first official work day of the year at the headquarter office in Miami, Florida. Image by Libna Stevens
“In 2013 we can step into a new way of living,” said Pastor Leito. “As Christians we can make a commitment to the Lord…we want to be different, to live different, to be all we can be, serve to the best of our abilities, and contribute our utmost [for Him].”
Pastor Leito highlighted the major events to take place throughout the territory during the next weeks and months.
In keeping with Inter-America’s Year of the Laity, Eugene Benjamin of Antigua and Barbuda was the guest lay speaker during worship. Benjamin spoke on the importance of representing God well. As a business professional and lay evangelist, Benjamin reminded church leaders and staff that each one is an ambassador for God.
“We are true ambassadors for Christ, sent by God to represent His Kingdom to a dying world,” said Benjamin. It is “a special calling, regardless of position, ministry or function in faith to advance the work of the church,” he added.
Lay Evangelist Eugene Benjamin of Antigua and Barbuda, reminded Inter-American Division to be true ambassadors as they continue fulfilling the mission of the church throughout the new year. Image by Libna Stevens
It’s the hundreds of thousands of true ambassadors throughout Inter-America who have worked arduously to reach more than 3.6 million members in 2012, reported Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary of the church in Inter-America.
Dr. Henry also reported on the growth of the church in Inter-America from 1922, the year it was organized, to 2012. The church now boasts 22 church regions, 70 conferences, 48 missions, 11,471 churches, 7,340 companies, in contrast to the 2 unions, 9 missions, 221 churches, and 8,146 members in 1922.
“God has blessed us during the last 90 years,” said Henry, “We continue to pray that God will continue to pour His blessings upon His church throughout Inter-America – especially during this Year of the Laity.”
Dr. Henry also reported that some 150,716 new members were added to the church as of September 2012.
Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer for the church in Inter-America, outlined the financial activity during 2012 and the commitment of the church membership in tithes and offerings.
The worship program also featured a concert by a young lay singing group “Vida Internacional” from Honduras.
The Vida Internacional trio from Honduras, sang during the worship service today. Image by Libna Stevens
Leaders will continue to fine tune activities, initiatives and projects during the next few days.
The IAD oversees the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean, and The French Antilles, as well as Colombia and Venezuela, and has some 3.6 million members worshipping in more than 11,470 churches and congregations.
To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America and its initiatives for 2013, visit us at www.interamerica.org