Below is a transcript of a message addressed to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America from President of the Inter-American Division, Elie Henry–IAD News Staff
May 27, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | By: Elie Henry, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America
Hello Brothers and Sisters, I am glad to greet you once again.
Today, as on every last Sabbath of the month of May, we unite in special prayer for the thousands of boys and girls around the world who are at risk.
It is sad to think of cases of violence, exploitation, gangs, child trafficking and any other type of abuse that puts the smallest and most defenseless around us at risk. As people and as a church, we have the responsibility to protect them, to take care of them and pray for them constantly.
That is why I invite you today to get involved in this day of prayer. Pray also for the specific initiatives in your local church to ensure a spiritual, safe, and abuse-free environment for children who attend church and for the children in the community around us. By doing this, we fulfill the mandate of Jesus, when He said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not prevent them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)
And in the same framework of a special day of prayer, I want to invite you to continue participating in the 40 Days of Prayer initiative, which is leading up to the General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church scheduled to be held in Saint Louis, Missouri, in the United States, from June 5 to 11. Within a few days, hundreds of delegates from around the world will participate online or in person during the session, where important decisions are made related to the policies, manuals and fundamental beliefs of the church. Leaders for the next administrative period are also elected.
In these final days of history, each decision is vital for the advancement of the fulfillment of the mission, and for this reason we need the Holy Spirit guiding each process and each person.
Let us unite in prayer and may the Lord be the One who guides every decision.
Happy Sabbath.