Inter-America launches its week of prayer strengthening pastoral families
Seventh-day Adventist leaders at the Inter-American Division pray together for the more than 3,400 pastors and their families across the region during the launch of the territory-wide pastoral family week of prayer online program, Feb. 6, 2015, from Miami, Florida. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD.
February 8, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD
Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders from the Inter-American Division (IAD) held a special program Friday night to launch the church’s territory-wide week of prayer focused on pastoral families. During the program, pastoral couples prayed and encouraged pastors and their families to take time to care and strengthen their families spiritually, mentally and physically.
Pastor Hector Sanchez, IAD ministerial secretary speaks on the importance of appreciating the work of the pastoral family across the territory.
The event, held at the IAD headquarter office in Miami, Florida, was carried live on the internet.
With the more than 3,400 ministers shepherding some 3.6 million church members across 20,000 congregations, it came down to a message of care and concern for Inter-America’s valuable shepherds who keep their flock motivated and guiding them to preparing for the Second Coming and sharing the Gospel others, organizers said.
“We want to help our pastors and their families to remain firm in the Lord this week and this year,” said Pastor Hector Sanchez, ministerial secretary for the church in Inter-America. “We want you to know that we acknowledge and appreciate you, your spouse, and your children, in the important work that you do for God.”
The week of prayer launch was part of various activities scheduled to celebrate pastors and their leadership during Inter-America’s the Year of the Pastor.
IAD Vice President Pastor Abner De Los Santos and his wife Shepherdess Coordinator Leticia De Los Santos, pray for the more than 3,400 pastors and their families during the one-hour online program.
Pastor Pedro Iglesias, family ministries director for the IAD, challenged ministers, administrators and leaders to continue seeking the presence of God in their lives together with their families.
“The IAD family wants to pray today for you our colleagues, our missionary couples, for your ministry, your children,” said Pastor Iglesias.
IAD pastoral couples prayed during the online program for a revival among pastors and their families through the study of the Bible and daily prayer. They prayed so that the pastoral family can be victorious in Jesus over the enemy’s attacks, for a fostering of warmth fellowship among pastoral families, for practicing a healthy lifestyle for the entire family and for God’s protection over them as they minister throughout church districts and territories.
During the program Shepherdess Ministries Coordinator Leticia De Los Santos assured pastors’ wives of their calling and their ministry to support their husband and foster a strong family in the home.
Left to Right: Magda Salinas, Ebony Leito and Leticia Leito carried special music at the end of the online program.
Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary of the IAD, was happy to see the online program be spent mostly in prayer and reflection. Henry encouraged pastors and their families to bend their knees together in prayer for the five main reasons for prayer as the week of prayer sets off until Feb. 13.
“Pick your time of the day to pray together, feel God’s presence, His spirit, and unite together for a fruitful week just like Jesus did throughout His life on earth,” said Dr. Henry.
Pastoral families will be able to download a special digital magazine designed for the week available at 2015.interamerica.org in English, Spanish, and French.
Leaders were very happy to learn that nearly 800 connections were visible watching the live program as pastors and their families gathered in their homes, in churches and auditoriums throughout Inter-America.
To view the online program, click HERE
To download the Pastoral Family Week of Prayer digital magazine, go to 2015.interamerica.org
To view photos of the online program, visit photo gallery HERE