Church leaders challenge theology students to be prepared for the line of fire

April 28, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Pastor Hector Sanchez, IAD ministerial association secretary and organizer of the live event, said the ministry boils down to maintaining a close relationship with Jesus every day, caring for the spouse and children and committing to serving God and shepherding the flock wholeheartedly. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD

Hundreds of graduating theology students across Seventh-day Adventist university campuses in Inter-America took time today to listen to top church leaders talk about the importance of their calling as ministers, their role and the realities of how the church moves and grows in the field.

The two-hour event, streamed live over the internet, was held from the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarters in Miami, Florida, and was meant to let graduating students and those needing one more year to complete seminary know that they are not alone and they must cling to the Holy Spirit as they commit to serving God wholeheartedly.

“The Inter-American Division is concerned and cares about you—the future pastor of the church,” said Pastor Hector Sanchez. “We want you to know that you are important and we value you as you will shepherd congregations in our territory.”

Today the IAD employs some 3,400 ministers in more than 20,000 churches and congregations.

“To be a minister is not about sitting at the head of the table,” said IAD President Pastor Israel Leito as he spoke on camera. “The responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the pastor cannot be measured. To be a minister, you must put your body in the line of fire for the sheep.”

The enemy is after the sheep, went on Pastor Leito and “we [as ministers] must live such a life so close to the Lord, that whatever attacks come our way, the Lord will help us go through.”

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito (left), challenged theology students watching from their campus sites to “be the shepherd who is willing to give his life for God’s people.” Dr. Jaime Castrejon, IATS president translates the message.

“Be the shepherd who is willing to give his life for God’s people,” Pastor Leito.

That surrender can only come by the assurance and commitment to God’s unique calling, according to Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary of the church in Inter-America.

“Many times you will not feel comfortable with the dangers and challenges you face, but God shows you and assures you not to fear because He is with you,” encouraged Henry. “God wants you to be happy in the work for Him as He called you.”

Committing to the call means a life of devotion to God, in constant communion pursuing a spiritual revival and reformation, seeking, caring, protecting, training, encouraging, motivating and equipping the flock, said Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, personal ministries director for the church in Inter-America.

Graduating theology students from across 12 IAD universities were also encouraged to find their mate, a wife totally committed to God and one who loves the church.

IAD Shepherdess Coordinator Leticia De Los Santos encouraged unmarried theology students to find a wife who loves God and loves the church.

Pastor Balvin Braham, IAD associate ministerial director, reminded students that evangelism is at the core of the mission.

“Your responsibility is to grow the church,” said Braham. “Your mission as a pastor must include planting new churches and entering new territories in urban and rural areas.”

It’s about evangelistic planning and engaging the membership in the churches and institutions to work together innovatively, said Braham.

“You must come with a new world view, a kind of scientific approach to evangelism we have never seen before, bring new technological ways of winning souls,” Braham added.

Carlos Montoya, a theology major who will graduate soon from Central American Adventist University, shared a testimony during the online event.

“My journey into the ministry has not been an easy one to attain,” said Montoya. Montoya shared that he and his wife and two children left their homeland in Honduras to answer the calling of God to study and become a pastor.

“My wife and I have seen how the Lord has opened the doors because He wants to prepare us for His ministry,” added Montoya. “We have seen serious difficulties come our way but it does not mean that God has not called you to serve Him.”

Graduating theology student Carlos Montoya from the Central American Adventist University, shared how God called him and his family to become a pastor and encouraged fellow students to trust in God’s leading, during the live event.

Montoya took a few moments to encourage fellow theology students across Adventist campuses to be firm in answering the call to the ministry and let God guide and prepare them to serve and shepherd the flocks.

It boils down to maintaining a close relationship with Jesus every day, caring for the spouse and children and committing to serving God and ministering to the flock wholeheartedly, Pastor Sanchez said.

Church leaders answered questions about how pastors can balance their time, how to be assured of their calling, the importance of setting evangelistic goals, how to retain members instead of bringing more in, what statistics are available that show evangelism impact around the world, among others.

The event came as the church in the IAD is celebrating the commitment service of pastors and their families across the territory during this Year of the Pastor.

To view the two-hour online Theology Students Advisory, click HERE