Top leadership in Inter-America sets aside special time for spiritual reflection

Seventh-day Adventist leaders, staff and their families at the Inter-American Division sing during a special week of spiritual reflection, in Miami, Florida, June 13-18, 2015. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD

June 19, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito told leaders and staff members that finishing off the quinquennium with spiritual reflection was important before General Conference Session takes place next month.

Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders, staff members and their families at the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarter office set aside a week of spiritual reflection as the church’s five-year period draws to a close this summer. The week of spiritual emphasis brought more than 80 church employees and their families to praise and worship together during the annual event held in Miami, Florida, from June 13-18, 2015.

“We are so focused on the go, go, go and do, do, do, with work projects, initiatives and strategies, that we want to finish this quinquennium with some time of spiritual reflection,” said Pastor Israel Leito, IAD president. “This may be the last time we are all together as a family,” said Pastor Leito as he reminded leaders that the church’s General Conference Session will be held in a few weeks in San Antonio, Texas.

The aftermath of the Session can bring about change or relocation for many leaders and staff members.

“This is a time to concentrate on our relationship with the Lord and remember that we are God’s children always,” Pastor Leito added.

Dr. Ron C. Smith (left), president of the Southern Union Conference headquarter in Norcross, Georgia was the keynote speaker during the week of spiritual reflection. Dr. Jaime Castrejon, IATS President translates during the keynote message on Sabbath, June 13, 2015.

Dr. Ron C. Smith, president of the Southern Union Conference headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, United States, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Smith, who has more than 35 years of denominational service, challenged church leaders to remain faithful even living in the unsettling world of today and reminded leaders to remember who God is as found in Revelation 1.

“We must have a pure faith,” said Dr. Smith. “Faith that cannot stand upon trial is not faith and we have to be the kind of people that stick with God even when we don’t understand God.”

“Think of the love of God and how he feels about us,” he added. “You’re His best investment, he’s warring everyday for you and has not given up on us yet. With murders and rapes and kidnappings and dishonesty and debauchery, God still feels good about the human race.”

Dr. Smith encouraged leaders and staff members, who oversee a church membership of more than 3.7 million members in Inter-America, to continue to be attentive in hearing the call of God and fight to set aside things that keep us from that communion with the Lord.

The Inter-American Division oversees the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 24 major church regions in Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela.

To learn more about the Inter-American Division, visit us at interamerica.org