November 8, 2020 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division unveiled its comprehensive mission plan called “I Will Go” during a special online worship service held yesterday, Nov. 7, 2020. The two-hour online program drew administrators, pastors, ministry leaders and church members in an effort to inspire them to embrace the extensive initiative which promises to mobilize unified efforts to spread the gospel in large and small cities through dozens of activities in the months and years ahead.
Full implementation of “I Will Go” is expected to permeate the more than 23,000 churches and congregations, schools and universities, health care institutions, publishing associations, and all levels and ministries in the church, leaders said.
“We are just one family and for the next five years the church around the world wants to advance with the same motto of ‘I Will Go’”, said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the church in Inter-America. “The three main priorities that the General Conference presented are spiritual growth, leadership and mission and we felt that the roadmap provided in those three identified well with what we have been focusing on our version of the three: education, service to the community and evangelism.”
In the same way that God told Abraham and His people to go and conquer and advance, it’s the same message today to go and fill the hurt, take the message of salvation much like the mission statement says, said Pastor Henry. “To glorify God, and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, lead every convert to experience a personal and transforming relationship with Christ, enabling the believer to become a disciple in sharing the everlasting Gospel with everyone.”
With a vision statement of reaching “Every member of the body of Christ living in readiness for the Kingdom of God,” it’s about reaffirming the mission and vision in Inter-America for the next five-year plan, added Pastor Henry.
Reflecting on the plan and mission God gave to the Prophet Jonah, Pastor Henry challenged leaders and church members to arise and follow God’s plan.
“Understand the time we are living in. God calls us into action. If we are to go and make a significant impact in the world, we must obey and follow,” said Pastor Henry.
“No one is called to be a spectator, to watch others work in this mission. Be bold and answer the call of God,” he added.
The “I Will Go” mission plan consists of nearly 250 projects and activities which various departments and ministries can work together to implement, explained Pastor Balvin Braham, assistant to the IAD president for evangelism.
“It is our division-wide plan as ministry leaders to collaborate to fulfill specific actions in order to achieve the effectiveness to help members grow based on the values we are focused on and be ready for the return of Jesus,” said Braham. Basically, it is about reaching people first and foremost, equip, rescue and make sure to retain them within the church and lead them to discipleship, he said.
“We want to focus on members of upper, middle, working class, millennials, children and adolescents, people of other faiths and unreached people groups, that’s who we are targeting in the context of our strategic plan,” said Braham.
The online program included a Scripture reading, prayer, music and specific current initiatives and projects the church across the IAD is implementing already.
To view the Inter-America’s detailed I Will Go launch program of Nov. 7, 2020, click HERE for English, HERE for Spanish, HERE for French.
To download the I Will Go Inter-America booklet and for additional resources in English, Spanish, and French, visit iwillgo.interamerica.org