Inter-America: Leadership enlightens theology students on the realities in the field during online event

March 11, 2014 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD

Inter-American Division leaders along with Montemorelos University administrators launch the church’s first online two-hour advisory for graduating theology students on Mar. 4, 2014, from the campus of Montemorelos University in North Mexico. Images by Benjamin Garcia/IAD

Graduating theology students throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) paused to hear church leaders during an online talk last week on the realities that await them as they step into the field to shepherd congregations.

The two-hour online dialogue, which was transmitted from the campus of Montemorelos University in Mexico, Mar. 4, 2014, was meant to enlighten some 320 soon-to-be-ministers across IAD’s 12 universities on the church and its current dynamics, reflect on their calling to the ministry, provide coping advice for the wife and soon-to-be wives and to challenge the couple to foster an unbreakable commitment to fulfilling the mission of the church, organizers said.

“You are here because God has called you,” said Pastor Hector Sanchez, ministerial secretary for the church in Inter-America and main organizer of the event. “You must be certain of your calling as a minister first and foremost.”

Pastor Hector Sanchez, IAD ministerial secretary reminds some 320 soon-to-be ministers across the church’s 12 universities that they must be certain of their calling and pursue a renewed spiritual revival in their life every day.

That calling automatically requires a total dependence on God, explained Sanchez.

“You don’t need to be extraordinary, but you must be consecrated men, united to God by a renewed spiritual revival in your life every day,” he added.

“The daily spiritual revival will allow you to live and breathe the church in Inter-America, working together with an inspired lay force who work tirelessly to bring more than 200,000 new members into the church each year,” added Sanchez.

Theology is not a profession, said Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, personal ministries and Sabbath school director for the church in Inter-America, during an initial table discussion segment. “Theology is neither a vocation, it is a call, and more than a call, it is a choosing by God.”

That call is for the wife of the pastor as well, leaders said.

Leticia De Los Santos, IAD shepherdess international coordinator advises future pastors’ wives that they must experience they same calling to make pastoral ministry more joyful and fruitful.

“The wife of the pastor must experience the same calling because if she does not, her ministerial life will not be a joy,” said Leticia De Los Santos, coordinator of shepherdess international for Inter-America.

“The church is a place with many needs and the Lord wants you to have a solid home,” she added as she addressed the soon-to-be wives during the online event. According to De Los Santos, a pastor’s wife must love God with all her heart, love her husband and be committed to him and love the church and all that comes with it.

Pastor Balvin Braham, associate director for ministerial association in Inter-America challenged the theology majors to maintain their passion for God and the church alive in their ministry. “Your passion should be to preach the Word, live the Word, study the Word and feed the Word with a passion for souls,” said Braham. Braham reminded them that a pastor’s work is to grow the church, consolidate the believers, nourish believers and foster the joy of salvation.

Pastor Balvin Braham (right), IAD associate ministerial director, challenges theology students to maintain their passion for God and the church throughout their ministry as Dr. Jaime Castrejon (left), Inter-American Theological Seminary president translates the message.

That growth is not necessarily a numerical one, said Ferreyra. “Church growth is about lives transformed by the power of the Gospel,” he said. “As you graduate, remember it is not about the techniques or methods you have learned to lead the church, but about those lives transformed by the power of Jesus.”

A few questions raised by theology students included the role of the pastor towards his wife, the role of the pastor’s wife in the service for the church, the physical and psychological needs of the pastor and his family, and more.

To be a successful pastor, said Pastor Sanchez, “you must be sure of your calling, you must be a good preacher of the Word of God, and you as a pastor must smell your sheep, you must visit, nurture and seek out the hurting and the needy in the flock.”

The advice came in as a challenge and a recomitment to the love for souls Victor Florez of Tabasco, Mexico, has always felt. Florez just has a few months before graduating from seminary and thinks of the work ahead.

“I know the mission to accomplish is big out there, but the Holy Spirit will equip us every day to serve in reaching souls for His kingdom,” said Florez. His wife Patricia Vazquez of two years is also completing her fourth year of medical school this year. Vazquez was impressed with what she learned during the event regarding the role of the pastor’s wife.

Victor Florez, a theology major and wife Patricia, a medical student at Montemorelos University from Tabasco, Mexico, will soon graduate and are excited to serve and fulfill the mission of the church as a pastoral couple.

“It is not about what the church expects from you as a pastor’s wife but what particular talents you possess as a wife that could enrich the church, while keeping in mind that you are the pastor’s wife first and not of the church,” said Vazquez. “I don’t feel equipped yet but I know God will prepare us to serve Him better every day.”

Fourth-year theology major at Montemorelos Univeristy Ismael Cortez from Colombia was excited to listen to top IAD leaders on the realities they will face once out in the field.

“I’m worried about the challenges ahead but happy at the same time as I look at the mission ahead,” said Cortez. “I want to serve God and give of my best and know that each day I must build a closer relationship with Christ to be an effective shepherd.”

Good and effective pastors is what the church in Inter-America seeks as it continues to invest in providing support and resources to the more than 3,200 ministers leading some 19,000 churches and congregations throughout the IAD, church leaders said.

“As pastors step into the field, many will have to relocate to a remote location, and lead several congregations and start a family while learning the ropes of the ministry,” said Sanchez. “We want to continue dialoguing with our graduating theology students and provide more guidance as they lead the church today and in the future.”

IAD Leaders are already planning to dedicate 2015 as the Year of the Pastor, in celebration of the commitment and service pastors and their families offer across the territory.

For more information on the Inter-American Division and its programs and initiatives, visit us at interamerica.org

Benjamin Garcia contributed to this report.