Inter-America to celebrate lay champions and longstanding church members

May 24, 2013 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD

Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders of the Inter-American Division (IAD) plan to celebrate the most active church members in the territory during a series of meetings that start today. Notable laypersons and the longest-standing members from each of Inter-America’s 22 church regions, or unions, will be honored during the meetings, which will run through next week.

“As the Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrates the 150th anniversary of our church’s existence this month, we wanted to honor the commitment of thousands of active church members who have successfully endeavored and committed to sharing the gospel in Inter-America,” says Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America.

“Without the work of our laypeople, our church would not be the fast growing territory today so we wanted to take an opportunity to show our gratitude,” says Pastor Leito. “We are happy to honor these men and women who met Jesus and surrendered to Him and who have for decades remained faithful in the study of the Bible, prayer and testifying the truth.”

The special program will be streamed live over the internet on Sabbath, May 25, at 3:30 p.m. Miami Time.

The meetings will be kicked off by a vespers program today and a Sabbath worship service tomorrow morning and will continue throughout next week.

The programmed events fall under Inter-America’s Year of the Laity festivities set in motion earlier this year.

To view the following scheduled live programs, visit webcast.interamerica.org

Friday, May 24
7:00pm – 8:30pm (Miami Time)

Saturday, May 25
11:30a – 12:30pm – Divine Service
3:30pm – 6:00pm – Special program celebrating and honoring laypeople