Adventist Leaders Commit to Mission, Align on Strategic Priorities for 2026–2030

Prayer of consecration marks close of advisory meetings highlighting unity, youth engagement, and three major evangelistic initiatives

April 8, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Seventh-day Adventist Leaders from the Inter-American Division (IAD) concluded their annual departmental advisory meetings with a prayer of consecration, committing themselves to mission and to serving as active representatives of a movement seeking to ignite the church across the territory.

The three-day meetings, held March 30–April 1, in Miami, Florida, United States, brought together hundreds of union and division department heads to review initiatives, align ministry efforts, and strengthen collaboration in support of the IAD’s strategic priorities for 2026–2030.

Pastor Abner De Los Santos, president of the IAD, highlighted the spiritual tone that shaped the meetings, pointing to the interconnected devotional messages presented throughout the event.

“We have heard inspiring messages that were deeply connected,” he said, referencing the devotional challenges shared by Erton Kohler, General Conference president, Ivelisse Herrera, IAD treasurer and Pierre Caporal, IAD executive secretary.

He noted that the messages called leaders to live the mission grounded in Scripture, to pray for more workers while committing themselves to service, and to live not only for the mission but for the God of the mission.

“We are not only moving in the same direction—we are in synergy, united by God’s grace and committed to fulfilling the mission,” De Los Santos said.

Pastor De los Santos emphasized that mission remains central to the church’s identity. “Without mission, we have no reason to exist,” he added, urging leaders to remain rooted in the Bible, connected to Christ, and united in service.”

Strategic Vision Rooted in Mission

De Los Santos outlined the IAD’s strategic plan, built on four key pillars: Communion with God, Identity in Christ, Unity in the Spirit, and Mission for all.

Using the analogy of a tree, he explained that the church must remain rooted in Scripture, connected to Christ as its source of life, united in collaborative ministry, and focused on bearing fruit through mission.

He also reminded leaders that mission must be lived through compassion and love, especially in a world marked by increasing challenges.

“The mission is lived in love,” he said, warning that while “the love of many may grow cold,” it must not grow cold among those who are committed to Christ and His mission.

IAD three major initiatives were presented as key drivers of mission across the IAD territory for the quinquennium period:

One Voice 2027

The “One Voice 2027” initiative calls for every church member to proclaim the gospel using available communication tools.

“Everyone can participate,” said Abel Márquez, IAD communication director, emphasizing that members can engage through digital platforms, personal outreach, literature distribution, or prayer.

The initiative will expand training across departments—including women, youth, and children—encouraging full participation as the church prepares for a united evangelistic emphasis.

Each Church Planting One Church

The initiative “Every Church One Church,” seeks to strengthen and multiply congregations across the division.

“We still believe that the work of God advances every time a new congregation is established,” Pastor Roberto Herrera, IAD stewardship director said.

The initiative calls on every church to grow and reproduce a new congregation within five years, with a structured plan leading to new church plants across the territory by 2030.

Impact 2028

Impact2028 is a large-scale evangelistic initiative designed to mobilize the entire division.

The effort aims to establish more than 100,000 preaching sites across 42 countries, reaching millions with the gospel message, explained Pastor Josney Rodríguez, IAD ministerial association secretary.

“This is something unprecedented,” he said, noting that coordinated evangelistic campaigns will take place from May 20 to June 3, 2028.

Youth and Children at the Center of Mission

Pastor De Los Santos placed special emphasis on empowering younger generations in mission.

“It is time to give children and youth a leading role in proclaiming the gospel,” he said.

He pointed to recent examples of youth involvement in evangelism, affirming that when young people are given opportunities, God works powerfully through them.

De Los Santos emphasized that beyond strategic planning, the church’s effectiveness depends on full reliance on God.

“We cannot fulfill the mission without the presence of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

“Mission is for everyone,” he concluded. “Pastors, lay members, men, women, and children, all are called to participate as we prepare for Christ’s soon return.”

From Strategy to Local Church Impact

Among the leaders attending the advisory meetings was Henry Moncur, a seasoned pastor and departmental director at the Atlantic Caribbean Union with nearly three decades of service. He oversees five departments—Stewardship, ADRA, Communication, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, and Evangelism—while also serving as an associate pastor of a congregation of about 350 members in The Bahamas.

Reflecting on the meetings, Moncur said the emphasis on collaboration stood out most. “We’re stronger when we work together instead of trying to make our individual departments shine,” he said.

He noted that this approach is already shaping his ministry. Rather than creating separate programs, he is intentionally integrating efforts across departments, partnering with ministries such as women’s, youth, and health to maximize impact.

Remaining active in local church leadership, Moncur said, has helped him ensure that broader church initiatives reach the congregation level. “A lot of what comes from higher levels doesn’t always filter down,” he said. “I want to see how these initiatives actually work and help make them effective.”

Over the past four years, he has seen that approach transform his congregation, shifting it toward a more community-focused mission with greater engagement. “We’ve been able to make these initiatives real—something that truly transforms lives,” he said.

As he returns to his territory, Moncur plans to carry that same spirit of alignment into union advisory meetings, emphasizing shared priorities over individual agendas.

He added that the clarity and simplicity of the IAD’s strategic focus have renewed his enthusiasm. “There’s a sense of focus and connectivity,” he said. “It’s practical, relevant, and gives us energy to move forward together in mission.”

Expanding Vision for Mission and Communication

Also reflecting on the impact of the advisory meetings was Kimberly Solís, age 23, one of the youngest departmental directors in the territory, recently appointed as communication director of the Nicaragua Union.

Solís described the meetings as a transformative experience that expanded her vision for ministry. “The advisory was a great blessing for me,” she said, noting that listening to the strategies and experiences of more established unions helped her better understand the scope and responsibility of her role.

Returning to Nicaragua, Solís plans to strengthen organization and collaboration across departments. “Communication is not isolated, it must be integrated with all ministries,” she said, adding that her team will focus on improving the church’s visibility while training new “digital disciples” to share the gospel.

She also underscored the importance of involving youth, children, and women. “They are key to mobilizing the church,” she said.

Leaders Affirm Unity and Shared Mission

Other leaders from across the territory echoed similar enthusiasm and clarity as they reflected on the advisory’s impact.

Lorraine Vernal, director of children’s, adolescents and women’s ministries in the Jamaica Union, said the focus on unity and mission stood out clearly. “This advisory was timely and very pertinent,” she said, noting it has prepared and motivated her to return to Jamaica to encourage women, children, and church members to actively live the mission as they share the message of Christ’s soon return.

Pastor Orlando Ramírez, president and communication director of the West Venezuela Union emphasized the spirit of unity among leaders, describing the meetings as a reminder of the importance of working together “in harmony” to fulfill God’s mission.

Paola Murillo pointed to the strong alignment across departments. “We are all on the same page, with the same mission and desire to work for God,” she said, highlighting health ministry as a key avenue to open doors for sharing the gospel.

“There is mission for everyone,” said Abner De Los Santos as the gathering concluded. “Pastors and lay members, men, women, and children—all are called to participate as we live the mission together.”

Keila Trejo contributed to this report.

For more stories of leadership and community impact across the Inter-American Division, visit us at interamerica.org