More than 700 pastors and lay leaders gather for a lay, ministerial, and Sabbath school festival at the at the Eliezer Meléndez Youth Center in the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 26-28, 2023. The hundreds gathered were trained and equipped for outreach and mission service throughout the island. “[Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
A lay, ministerial, and Sabbath school festival organized by the Puerto Rican Union Conference trained and empowered hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist pastors and lay members across the island on January 26-28, 2023. Pastors got acquainted with the GROW Your Church initiative of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department of the General Conference. Under the theme “His Light Prevails,” lay leaders, including local church elders from across the four conferences in Puerto Rico, were equipped for outreach and mission service, leaders shared.
Special guests included Jim Howard, director of Personal Ministries and Sabbath School, and ministerial secretary Ramón Canals, both from the General Conference. Inter-American Division personal ministries director Melchor Ferreyra and Sabbath school director Samuel Telemaque also attended, as well as Inter-American Division Publishing Association president Saúl Ortiz.
General Conference Ministerial Secretary Pastor Ramon Canales reminded participants to rely on the Holy Spirit who empowers them to win souls for Jesus. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
The union’s ministerial and executive secretary Eric Del Valle agreed. “This gathering shows how three different departments can join their forces with a common goal, to drive the mission of the church forward in a balanced way. It has been a successful event,” Del Valle said.
President of the Puerto Rican Union Pastor Luis Rivera encouraged leaders in attendance to continue their dedication in proclaiming the gospel to win more souls for the Kingdom. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
The role of discipleship and outreach
During the training, leaders emphasized the role of discipleship so local congregations can overcome difficulties and thrive. Howard explained that the GROW initiative is not a project. “It is the biblical process of making disciples to grow,” he said, explaining that it involves preparing the soil, sowing, growing, harvesting, and preserving the seed. “A local church must be fully involved in the process of discipleship,” Howard said.
Pastor Jim Howard, personal ministries and Sabbath school director of the General Conference emphasizes the importance of discipleship in strengthening and growing the church. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
Ferreyra called pastors and lay members to work together, “as one man, under the guidance of one power, for the accomplishment of one purpose. We want to touch Puerto Rico.” He mentioned four goals of the work of the church, including connecting the church with God, with every member and others; understanding Jesus and His teaching; equipping every member by pairing them with another one to be assisted, nurtured, and strengthen; and ministering to others to get them involved in the fulfillment of God’s mission.
Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, personal ministries director of the Inter-American Division reviews the discipleship steps in the GROW model. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
Canals reminded participants that it is the Holy Spirit who “empowers you to win souls for Jesus.” Addressing pastors, Canals emphasized the role of evangelism. “A pastor must teach his church to do evangelism. And he must focus and use his best energies to prepare the church to do evangelism,” he said.
Telemaque showed in practical ways how to approach a member who have stopped attending church, explaining which steps to follow before inviting him to rejoin their local congregation. Ortiz, on the other hand, discussed how the Priorities outreach magazine and other resources can be powerful tools to sow the seed of truth.
Pastor David Sebastian, personal ministries director for the Puerto Rican Union shares the evangelistic roadmap for the rest of the year. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
An opportunity to serve
Pastor Rivera called participants to give every church member, including young people, an opportunity to serve. It is a timely call, since many working age Adventist members have emigrated, mostly to the United States, leaving seniors and younger members in charge of local congregations.
Pastor Samuel Telemaque, Sabbath School director of the Inter-American Division speaks during the festival training. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
On the sidelines of the January event, Rivera emphasized the importance of the training event. “It brought into perspective what evangelism is for our church,” he said. “It was about giving a mission sense back to the Adventist faith community across the island. “We enjoy gathering to praise and worship God, but it’s even better and blessed to share our faith.”
Presenters join church leaders from the Puerto Rican Union territory for a group photo during the Jan. 26-28, 2023. [Photo: Puerto Rican Union]
Melchor Ferreyra contributed to this article.