Longtime Adventist Educator Urges Leaders to Live the Mission Through Prayer and Unity
Outgoing Montemorelos University president Ismael Castillo calls leaders to remain grounded in Scripture and committed to the church’s purpose.
May 12, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
On the final day of the Inter-American Division’s Spring Meeting, longtime Adventist educator Ismael Castillo, outgoing president of Montemorelos University after nearly 40 years of service at the institution, challenged more than 150 church leaders and administrators to remain united in prayer, grounded in Scripture, and fully committed to the church’s mission.
His devotional message was presented on May 7, 2026, before a packed auditorium of executive committee members during the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Spring Meeting business sessions in Miami, Florida, United States.
Ismael Castillo, outgoing president of Montemorelos University, delivers the devotional message during the Inter-American Division Spring Meeting on May 7, 2026, in Miami, Florida, United States. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“This is how the first disciples understood what it meant to live the mission with purpose,” Castillo said. “They persevered in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
Lessons From the Early Church
Castillo encouraged church leaders to reflect on how the apostles “premiered the mission” after Christ’s ascension, emphasizing the unity, spiritual focus, and dependence on God that characterized the early church.
Referring to Acts 1 and 2, he highlighted that the disciples “persevered unanimously in prayer,” noting that unity does not come naturally even within families, organizations, or church structures.
“Jesus prayed five times in John 17 for His followers to remain united,” Castillo said. “Being unanimous is not easy, but it was one of the defining characteristics of the early church.”
Castillo also urged leaders to dedicate intentional time for prayer amid the demands of ministry and administration.
“What a challenge it is to tell an assistant, ‘For the next two hours I will be praying,’” he said. “Not only at home in the morning, but during our work.”
Ivelisse Herrera, treasurer of the Inter-American Division, listens during the devotional message on May 7, 2026, as Pastor Abner De los Santos (center), president, and Alvaro Niño, undersecretary, look on. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Throughout the devotional, Castillo emphasized the importance of studying Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy as essential tools for church leadership and mission.
“For us as leaders, knowing the Word includes the Spirit of Prophecy because it was given especially for the guidance of the church in this time,” he said.
He encouraged pastors, administrators, educators, and healthcare leaders to intentionally study resources connected to their areas of ministry and reminded leaders that the early church remained firmly grounded in biblical doctrine.
Castillo also reflected on the spiritual profile of the early believers, describing them as filled with the Holy Spirit, united in purpose, committed to doctrine, generous in stewardship, and courageous in witness.
“Not only did they pray together,” he said, “they worked together and placed all their resources at the service of the mission.”
Ismael Castillo leads the devotional message from the stage at the Bender L. Archbold Auditorium at the Inter-American Division headquarters in Miami, Florida, United States. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Near the close of his message, Castillo pointed to the remarkable growth of the early church recorded in Acts, where thousands were added to the church despite persecution and opposition.
“When I think about how the work will finish, I ask God simply to keep us consecrated and with our eyes open to see what He is going to do,” Castillo said. “God will open the doors. God will do wonderful things that will have nothing to do with us.”
He concluded by calling leaders across Inter-America to continue living the mission through prayer, unity, and total dependence on God.
“It is my desire that we reflect on how the mission was first lived with great purpose,” Castillo said. “May we live the mission in prayer.”