The third of four main priorities that will shape the mission of the Inter-American Division during the next five years.
February 19, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Alvaro Niño, Inter-American Division
Today we continue by sharing the third pillar of our 2026–2030 strategic plan, under the motto: I Will Go, Living the Mission. This pillar is: Unity in the Spirit for Service.
Without a doubt, one of the greatest and most extraordinary gifts promised by Jesus to His followers was the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come into the life of every believer to fill their hearts with peace, assurance, and hope. The Holy Spirit of God, Jesus said, would guide each of His followers into all truth (John 16:13).
In the book of Acts, the words of Jesus were also recorded regarding what would happen when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon His disciples: “…But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The great proclamation of the good news of salvation through each of His disciples, as witnesses of His grace and power, would be made possible by the powerful manifestation of the Spirit of God among His followers.
The fulfillment of this promise is known in Scripture as Pentecost, an unparalleled event that not only initiated the powerful and supernatural proclamation of the great events that occurred during Jesus’ ministry, but also affirmed the announcement of the central themes of the gospel of salvation: the forgiveness of sins through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus; the great message of His death and resurrection; His mediatorial work; and the promise of His second coming, among other vital truths that will bring an end to the history of sin with its trail of sickness, suffering, pain, and death, and usher in the enjoyment of a new creation with His presence forever.
The powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost came not only as the fulfillment of a promise, but also in response to the fervent seeking of those gathered in the upper room, who cried out to God for His presence. There was repentance and confession. The disciples searched their hearts and confessed their sins to God. With simplicity and humility, they presented themselves before the Lord in earnest prayer, pleading for the fulfillment of the promise, and the Spirit was poured out in response to their prayer of faith.
The book of Acts recounts in some detail the dramatic transformation experienced by the small group of believers who remained. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples, in harmony and unity, rejoiced in proclaiming the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus.
The Bible records this great event with these words: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41–42).
The account in Acts not only testifies to an experience of repentance and conversion—which in itself is extraordinary—but also introduces us to a new dynamic within the community of believers, a dynamic that reveals the powerful transformation brought about by the mighty manifestation of the Spirit of God. Luke describes it this way: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Luke’s narrative shows that as a result of the presence of the Spirit of God, there was not only repentance and confession, but also a spirit of unity because of the conversion that had taken place in their hearts.
It says that they “continued steadfastly in the doctrine.” It was not merely emotion—although there was certainly joy—but their joy rested on the assurance of the apostles’ teachings. This experience of unity was also reflected in their personal relationships. Luke adds: “…in fellowship with one another, and in the breaking of bread…” In this sense, the psalmist David referred to this experience with the words that introduce the blessing of brotherly love in Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Surely they gathered in homes in an atmosphere of respect, friendship, mutual companionship, and generosity, as confirmed in later verses.
Acts 2:42 concludes by indicating that this fellowship was accompanied by a life of prayer.
Dear brothers and sisters, this must also be the experience of the church today—a church that seeks in fervent prayer and supplication to receive, the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that it may be, as the psalmist expresses, “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; whatever he does shall prosper.”
Around us there are communities, homes, and individuals—men, women, and children—waiting to be blessed by the fruits of the Spirit of God working in and through us. We can touch their lives by responding to their needs through acts of kindness. There is a world around us that needs us—our testimony and our works of service—in order to find the path of salvation in Christ Jesus.
The Lord is counting on you. The Lord is counting on me for this task!
Today I invite you: Let us live the mission.
Alvaro Niño is the associate secretary of the Inter-American Division.