Inter-America’s Third Ministerial Retreat Begins in El Salvador

Pastors and their spouses traveled from throughout Central America to attend the final three-day spiritual event.

September 17, 2024 | Acajutla, El Salvador | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

More than 1,100 Adventist pastors and their spouses met at the start of the Inter-American Division’s (IAD) third and final segment of its territory-wide ministerial retreat in Acajutla, El Salvador, last night. The hundreds of regional church district leaders traveled from Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, to withdraw from their busy schedules back home to connect with God, as a couple and other peers for the next three days.

After dozens marched holding flags, wearing bright regional folkloric outfits, and displayed cultural enthusiasm in the convention center, Pastor Elie Henry, president of the IAD, welcomed the large delegation, saying “We are here in the midst of all this applause to celebrate the goodness of God.”

“God has called us, chosen us, anointed, and sealed us to do the excellent work through the Holy Spirit,” he said.  “We need to meet God, to speak to Him and to renew our commitment to Jesus as we are.” It’s about enjoying seminars, spending quality time with your spouse, taking time to appreciate nature and comradery with others, added Pastor Henry.

The event, which was planned over a year ago, had the intention of gathering more than 3,000 pastors and their wives in one location, said Henry, but because of logistics, the IAD decided to divide its ministerial retreat in three segments to cover Mexico with Colombia and Venezuela, the Caribbean and Central America. “We thank the administrators of each union for making this gathering possible,” said Pastor Henry. “It is important to bring you here at a time like this.”

Pastor Henry challenged the pastoral leadership to have a clear understanding of their identity in Christ, and their responsibility for the advancement of the mission as they preach, teach, and serve in their communities as they disciple and prepare others for the Second Coming of Jesus.  He urged pastors to build a closer relationship with God every day and seek the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Be assured that God will be with you even with your imperfections, for He will make of your life a powerful testimony for others in His service,” Pastor Henry said.

Marcos Mejía, 32, and his wife Sueiby, drove 10 hours from Honduras to get to the ministerial retreat. He used to pastor seven churches years ago but since 2017 he has been working as a chaplain overseeing an Adventist primary and secondary school in the central region.

In the few minutes that he had arrived, Mejía greeted dozens of former college friends and former colleagues from throughout Central America. The opening message resonated with him. “I think the Holy Spirit working through us is central in my life,” said Mejía. “Without the power of the Holy Spirit we would simply be promoters of a social club.”

The message also highlighted the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit daily, said Abdi Reyes, 22, who traveled from the Caribe Costa Rica Mission. He pastors six churches and graduated with a theology degree from Central American Adventist University in Costa Rica last year. Reyes said he has had to rely constantly on the Holy Spirit as he navigates the responsibilities of the demanding job of overseeing more than 200 church members.

“Relying on the Holy Spirit is linked to your personal relationship with God every day,” said Reyes. “The [Holy] Spirit grants us abilities to reach and connect with others in the church and others in the community,” he said. He’s been looking forward to rubbing shoulders with other district pastors and gaining more insight as a church pastor and having an opportunity for a little rest and recreation during the ministerial retreat.

Abdi Hernández, 35, and his wife Maria left their young children with their grandparents and drove some three hours from Guatemala City, Guatemala. They were among 300 pastoral couples from Guatemala, the largest delegation at the ministerial retreat.  Instead of doing five pastoral visits each day of the week for the four churches he oversees, he will spend it reconnecting with his wife who also keeps busy leading children’s ministries, women’s ministries, and Dorcas society every week, plus taking care of their two young sons.

“We are thankful to rely on dedicated church elders back home to assist us in visiting members and ministering to the congregations during the four days we will be away,” said Hernández.

Out of the 96 district pastors in Guatemala, 92 were able to come from all eight conferences and missions.  “Our pastors oversee 146 pastoral districts made up of 1,370 churches and congregations,” said Guenther García, president of the Guatemala Union. On average, each pastor in Guatemala has nine churches he oversees, reported García, but many have 15 or 16 churches. “We’re very glad to have this opportunity to gather for respite and recommit to continue serving God,” he said.

Pastors from Haiti were able to connect online to the opening ceremony and will continue to take part in the ministerial retreat.

The opening ceremony included a drama performance and moments of prayer and praise. Delegates will take part in two dozen presentations and seminars throughout the week, as well as have the opportunity for private family counseling sessions.

To view a photo gallery of Inter-America’s Ministerial Retreat in El Salvador Sep 16-18, 2024, visit us HERE