Leaders Start The Year Focused on Strengthening Mission Initiatives

January 5, 2024 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division

Seventh-day Adventist administrators and leaders at the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarter office in Miami, Florida, United States, began the year praising God for the blessings throughout the territory. The January 3^rd meeting saw more than 45 leaders and staff members vowing to take part in the world church’s mission initiatives and activities during the coming year.

“We are at the gates,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the IAD, as he pointed to the existing wars, hunger, earthquakes, and disasters taking place around the world today, much like the despair that the four lepers of 2 Kings 7 witnessed.  “What are you focused on?” asked Pastor Henry. “Are you inward or outward focused?”

Pastor Henry encouraged the leadership to not focus on an inward mindset, but more on an outward mindset to help see others as ourselves, collaborating together effectively.”  It’s about stepping out, being aware of the many blessings God has bestowed on His children, on His church, with the assurance that God has already defeated the enemy.

The “I Will Go” mission initiatives that are ongoing worldwide, especially in the IAD territory, continue to be the vehicle to reach more people groups and distant communities, said Pastor Henry.  “We need to strengthen mission initiatives in evangelism, education and service to the community,” he added.

“We all must play a part in mobilizing everyone we can in mission, sharing the good news of salvation like never before. I invite you to really engage in presenting Jesus everywhere,” appealed Pastor Henry.

Church leaders highlighted “Back to the Altar” revival and reformation initiative to strengthen every member of the church, 3.8 million in the IAD, in making time for prayer and study of the bible each day and to focus and engage All the Family in mission detailed initiatives for the year.

Administrators presented the latest membership growth figures and finances up to November 2023, and praised God for blessings to continue pursuing and funding mission initiatives this year.

Mission initiatives will continue in motion across the 24 unions, 156 conferences and missions, and more than 23,000 local churches and congregations in the IAD territory.

Church leaders took time to praise and pray together for the church, families, and the membership throughout the IAD. In addition, leaders prayed for the family of the Heather-Dawn Small, who was serving as women’s ministries director of the General Conference, when she recently passed away.

“We are losing a strong voice in the world church and the Inter-American Division,” said Pastor Henry of Small. “She was a good preacher. Her words, her messages, her testimony, and her passion for the Lord will stay with us.”

The Inter-American Division oversees the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean and French Antilles, as well as Colombia and Venezuela. The IAD and its organizations look after thousands of churches, hundreds of schools, universities, hospitals, and clinics.

For more on the church in the Inter-American Division, visit us at interamerica.org