In Inter-America, church leaders focus on initiatives and activities for the next five years

Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, speaks to dozens of church leaders from across the the territory on the “Lord Transform Me” initiative while a team of departmental directors stand on stage, in Miami, Florida, United States, Apr. 21, 2016. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

April 25, 2016 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Nearly 300 church leaders from across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) met in Miami, Florida, last week to expand on the church’s “Lord Transform Me” evangelism initiative and to go over additional plans and activities to be carried out during the next five years.

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito reminding IAD that the Lord Transform Me initiatives falls under the General Conference’s total member involvement where church members are motivated to use their talents to share the gospel in their communities. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

Leaders from the IAD’s 24 unions, or church regions, took the time to focus on their role in promoting a true transformation only available through God’s Holy Spirit.

Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, pointed to Romans 12:2.

“God calls us to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us in order to use us for the final mission in this world,” said Pastor Leito.

“This ‘Lord Transform Me’ initiative is not one person, nor a department, it’s the entire church united with the call from the General Conference to have total members involved in this work.”

Pastor Leito said nearly four million people in the church need to be inspired and filled with the Holy Spirit using their talents.

“We don’t expect all of our members to be preachers, or all be musicians, or all be doing the same thing, but we want them to share the truth with the gifts that the Lord has given to finish the work,” he added.

The “Lord Transform Me” initiative will look to motivate church members to be totally involved in the mission of the church, being transformed in the way they live, in the way they worship, in the way they serve and the way they proclaim the gospel, said Pastor Balvin Braham, assistant to the IAD president for evangelism overseeing the initiative. The initiative also includes activities to engage members to remain connected and in readiness for the soon coming of Jesus, explained Braham.

A Women’s ministries leader speaks up during the two-day advisory meeting ending Apr. 21, 2016. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

“We are structuring initiatives in order for greater practicality relevance and collaboration with a focus toward unity in fulfilling the mission,” explained Braham.

The meetings on Apr. 18-21 were particularly enriching for Gustavo Menéndez, who heads different departments at the Guatemala Union, in Guatemala City. “It was a true blessing to see leaders in Inter-America united in purpose and mission with the ‘Lord Transform Me’ and how every advisory had a clear vision as to where we are headed,” he said.

Menéndez, who heads personal ministries, evangelism, ADRA, and communication departments, was impressed with a statement by Pastor Ramon Canals, personal ministries director for the Adventist world church. “We can change others when were are transformed by Jesus,” said Pastor Canals. “We were chosen to be agents of change in the lives of others.”

Already Menéndez said the church in Guatemala put in place the five strategic objectives of the “Lord Transform Me” initiative since February. “We must be transformed to be able to transform lives.”

It was the core message that resonated with Frank Artavia, associate health ministries director for the church in South Central American Union. “The transformation through God’s Spirit is just what I needed to hear for my life,” said Artavia, who also heads the Adventist Medical Center in Costa Rica. Artavia was particularly glad to be able to share the challenges and strengths that other directors face in the health department and how important it is to attend the seminars, resources, and programs scheduled for the next five years.

Personal ministries directors Inter-America’s 24 unions listen to a seminar presentation during their advisory meetings. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

“It’s every leader involved, every department involved, and every member involved,” Artavia said.

“This is about unity, moving all together so that the church can be moved in your unions, local fields and local congregations to finish the Lord’s work,” Pastor Leito said. “We are here to assist in transmitting unified efforts so that everyone can capture this vision.”

The IAD will continue with transmitting the “Lord Transform Me” initiative through a series of regional summits beginning May 29-31 in Managua, Nicaragua; June 6-8 in Cancun, Mexico, and June 26-28 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

For more information on Inter-America’s “Lord Transform Me” initiative, visit interamerica.org