Adventist Leaders Approve Key Initiatives and Strategic Plan for 2025-2030

Key decisions include union reorganization, a new five-year strategic plan, and a renewed commitment to mission.

November 21, 2024 | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

The Inter-American Division’s (IAD) Year-End Executive Committee concluded its business sessions on Nov. 12, 2024, reading a resolution of gratitude document with thanksgiving to God for His continued blessings in the territory. “Lord, we thank you for the unity and fervor that keeps our Division together amidst its great cultural and demographic diversity, and for the joint efforts of the 24 unions, organizations, local fields, and churches that work with a single purpose: to build the Kingdom of God,” church leaders read.

The five-day biannual church business meetings brought together more than 160 administrators, leaders, department heads, and lay-appointed members. The group voted on several initiatives from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and IAD mission programs aimed at continuing to engage active church members who are committed to preaching, teaching, and serving in their communities in the year ahead.

“Thank you for your dedicated work,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the IAD president, addressing the executive committee. “Our work here is intense, but I know it’s carried out with joy in your respective territories because our church is dynamic,” he stated. “We must continue to work arduously, focusing on the mission before us, because the night is coming when no one can work,” Pastor Henry warned.

During the meetings, the committee voted in administrators for the recently reorganized South Central American Union Mission, which was divided into two separate unions: Nicaragua Union Mission and Costa Rica Union Mission.

Pastor Ricardo Marin was appointed president of Costa Rica Union Mission, with Eddy Bonilla as executive secretary and Silas Martínez as treasurer. Pastor Wilfredo Ruiz was voted in as president, Roberto Davila as executive secretary, and Hector Alvarado as treasurer of the Nicaragua Union Mission. The appointments will take effect during union sessions scheduled for January 23-26, 2025.

The reorganization, which has been in the works for over two years, will closely address specific needs in each region, allowing the church to serve its congregations more effectively, IAD administrators explained.

The IAD’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 was also set in motion. This plan, aligned with the global church’s theme “I Will Go,” includes four strategic priorities: evangelism and mission, education, service to the community, and communion with God.

Pastor Balvin Braham, IAD vice president overseeing strategic plans, noted that there are 52 measurable goals outlining specific actions to ensure progress and accountability. These goals also emphasize leadership development and healthcare.

“Success will depend on the collaboration of pastors, leaders, educators, health professionals, and church members,” Pastor Braham stated, highlighting the collective effort required to reach the more than 315 million people in the territory before Christ’s return.

Also adopted from the General Conference was the Adventist Heritage Ministries initiative, Sharing The Gift of Light 2.0, which promotes the reading and the translation of Ellen G. White’s books. The IAD will provide translations in Haitian Creole, Papiamento, Mayan, and Rarámuri for Steps to Christ and Christ’s Object Lessons books.

Additionally, committee members voted to establish at least one local E. G. White Center in each of the 157 local fields across the IAD to ensure easy access to her writings, both in print and digital formats.

Church leaders also received updates on the “Back to the Altar” initiatives, which will continue into 2025 with the goal of reaching 200,000 souls. “Back to the Altar is a personal, family, and corporate experience that will catalyze evangelistic zeal,” said Samuel Telemaque, director of Sabbath School, overseeing the initiative.

Rotating appointive, lay representatives, and members from hospitals and universities were voted in for the 2025-2026 period. Hope Channel International and Hope Channel Inter-America also presented updates on their television productions and future initiatives.

The meeting concluded with prayer, asking for renewed commitment to the mission, a transformation by the Holy Spirit, and strength to serve the more than 24,000 congregations across the region. Prayers were also offered for protection in the face of natural disasters, migration crises, socio-economic challenges, and violence affecting church members, particularly in Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.

Authorized meetings and events voted included:

• February 22, 2025, – church elders baptizing new believers throughout the 25 unions.
• April 26, 2025 – massive baptismal ceremony hosted from Chiapas, Mexico
• May 5-8, 2025 – Mid-Year Executive Committee Meetings, in Miami, Florida, United States.
• July 3-12, 2025 – General Conference Session, St. Louis, Missouri, United States

To learn more about IAD initiatives and activities, visit interamerica.org