In Inter-America, leadership to vote on comprehensive strategies and initiatives for the next five years

IAD administrators and departmental directors met to strategize initiatives and activities to take place across the territory during the next five years. Leaders met during Oct. 19-22, 2015, at the IAD Headquarters Office in Miami, Florida. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

October 23, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Seventh-day Adventist top administrators and leaders from across the church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) will gather for year-end meetings in Miami, Florida, next week to vote on comprehensive strategies and initiatives for the next five years.

“The Inter-American Division is a great division,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America as he spoke to church leaders during a strategic planning meeting earlier this week. “By the grace of God, this church has accomplished many things so far, but we must not rest by our past success. We must always look for improvement.”

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito chairs a strategic committee meeting on Oct. 19, 2015, at the Maranatha Conference Room, in Miami, Florida. Image by Abel Marquez/IAD

Achievements during the previous quinquennium (five-year period) include the baptism of nearly one million new members into the church, implementation of a comprehensive spiritual revival initiative, training and empowering lay members to serve the church further, celebrating the work of and caring for pastoral families across the territory and more mission oriented initiatives and activities.

Plans for the new quinquennium include engaging every church member in the mission of the church. The Adventist World Church refers to this as total member involvement.

“Our role and function here in the IAD is to establish operational policies, define the general direction we want the church to go, and give guidance and training in all aspects of church life,” explained Pastor Leito.

Strategies and initiatives will be voted on by more than 150 executive committee members from across the 24 IAD unions, or regions, beginning on Oct. 27 and ending Nov. 3.

The church in Inter-America will continue to nurture church growth and retention of its members, work on institutional development, and increase the use of technology to share the gospel in every corner of its territory, added Pastor Leito.

One major item to be voted will involve the financial operation and management of the new Hope Channel Inter-America, which will broadcast in English, Spanish and French, early in 2016, as per the recent satellite contract signed, church administrators said.

In addition, several positions will be filled in the Inter-American Theological Seminary, the Inter-American Health Food Company, Herbert Fletcher University, ADRA Board and more.

Also, policies, survey reports, audit reviews, financial review, and additional activities will be studied and voted.

For more information and updates, visit interamerica.org