Inter-America Closes Annual Council With Mission Focus and Heartfelt Tributes

Business sessions concluded with a resolution of gratitude, key mission initiatives, and heartfelt tributes to long-serving leaders and former committee members.

November 21, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division

As the Inter-American Division’s (IAD) Annual Council concluded its business sessions on Nov. 13, 2025, delegates closed the gathering with a Resolution of Gratitude—an expression of collective thanksgiving to God for His protection, grace, and abundant blessings across the vast territory.

The statement acknowledged “the visionary and Spirit-filled leadership” God has provided throughout the years, giving thanks for the outgoing administration of the previous quinquennium as well as for the newly appointed leaders now entrusted with guiding the mission forward. It further affirmed the dedication of the executive committee, noting the unity, wisdom, and spiritual discernment that characterized the decision-making process during the session.

In a resounding pledge of commitment, the resolution declared:

“We hereby submit ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit to return to our respective fields to live and breathe the mission and the strategic mandate in every home, every street, every village, every town and city, and every country…. We acknowledge God’s leading in the Inter-American Division, and we repose in Him all the praise, honor, glory and majesty which He deserves; we offer ourselves anew for consecration and remain passionate and available to His service as we live the Mission.”

The three-day biannual meetings brought together more than 160 administrators, leaders, department directors, and lay-appointed members at the IAD Headquarters in Miami, Florida, United States. Throughout the sessions, committee members voted on key initiatives, policies, and programs aimed at strengthening local congregations and equipping members to share the gospel more intentionally within their communities in the years ahead.

Following the reading of the resolution, IAD President Pastor Abner De los Santos offered a heartfelt tribute to outgoing executive committee members and long-serving leaders, weaving together appreciation, biblical reflection, and a call to continued faithfulness. Drawing lessons from Joshua 24, he highlighted a leader who, after years of service, encouraged God’s people to remember His faithfulness and “persevere in faith, devotion, and worship.”

“Each of you has served with complete dedication,” De los Santos said. “You have been an encouragement and a positive influence to all of us. Your stories could fill an entire week of prayer—stories of faith, perseverance, and God’s leading.”

He emphasized that while some honorees are entering retirement, their mission is not over.

Leaders honored included: Elie Henry, Ketlie Henry, Leonard Johnson, Denise Johnson, Pedro Iglesias, Cecilia Moreno, Antonio de La Mota, Melchor Ferreyra, Meriviana Ferreyra, Al Powell, Zoraida Powell, Peter Kerr, Edgar Redondo, Dennis Slusher, Jose De Gracia and Moises Reyna.

“In the strategic plan of Inter-America, retirement does not count,” he affirmed warmly. “There is still room for you to continue living the mission to the glory of God.”

De los Santos encouraged them to “keep the flame alive and let the light of truth continue shining through your lives wherever God leads you.” Echoing Joshua’s appeal, he added, “Choose today whom you will serve… My decision is to serve the Lord of hosts until my last breath.”

Executive Secretary Pastor Pierre Caporal then formally presented the Legacy of Service recognitions, honoring leaders whose ministries have strengthened the church and inspired future generations. “Their lives and ministries stand as a legacy of faith, example, and commitment,” Caporal read, underscoring the impact of their service.

The day’s business session included votes on policy amendments, new youth ministries initiatives, and a study on the reorganization of local fields. Committee members also approved the rotation of appointive and lay representatives, as well as representatives from hospitals and universities, for the coming years.

In addition, the committee voted to authorize IAD leaders to conduct a careful review of the 14 union missions across the territory, assessing their status and presenting recommendations by the middle of the current quinquennium.

Members also voted to adopt the names Annual Council and Spring Council for the IAD—replacing the previous terms “Year-End Meetings” and “Mid-Year Meetings”—in alignment with the recommendation of the General Conference earlier this year.

Key authorized meetings and initiatives for 2026 included:

• February 10, – Vacation Bible Experience, online
• March 1-4 – IAD Leadership Council, Cancun, Mexico.
• March 30 – April 2 – IAD Departmental Advisories, Cancun, Mexico
• May 4-7 – IAD Spring Meetings, Miami, Florida
• July 27-30 – SeLD Convention for Central American Region, Panama
• August 12-15 – Asi Convention, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• 29-Nov. 3 – IAD Annual Council, (To be announced)
• November 20-21 – Bible Connection, Dominican Republic

To learn more about IAD initiatives and activities in the coming months, visit interamerica.org

Visit IAD’s photo gallery of the Annual Council meetings HERE