Inter-American Technology Summit Sparks Innovation and Collaboration to Advance the Mission

The event brought accountants, technologists, and leaders to strengthen the church’s digital strategy.

January 27, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Abel Márquez and Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Over 100 accountants and technologists from across the Inter-American Division (IAD) recently gathered for the first territory-wide Technology Summit to focus on the new digital strategies for mission launched by the General Conference. This summit aimed to integrate union accountants and IT professionals into the global church initiative, positioning technology as a powerful ally in advancing the church’s mission.

Antonio De la Mota, CIO of the IAD and organizer of the summit, shared the vision behind the initiative. “Technology is constantly evolving, and we must ensure our approach is aligned with the mission,” said De la Mota. “This event has been a significant step toward that goal.” He stressed the importance of reaffirming the commitment to the mission through spiritual messages, reminding participants of their calling to excellence, humility in service, and the privilege of sharing the message of salvation. De la Mota also emphasized fostering greater collaboration, integration, and synergy among the professionals in attendance.

Held from December 1-5, 2024, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the event, themed “Advancing United Toward New Horizons,” served as a space for learning, reflection, and collaboration. It equipped union accountants and technologists with practical tools and insights to enhance the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s mission.

Innovation as a Cultural Imperative

Ivelisse Herrera, treasurer of the IAD, highlighted the critical role of innovation in advancing the church’s mission. “First, we must maintain what we have and keep it running smoothly,” she said. “Second, we need to continue offering tools that will help us be more effective and up to date in the territories. Third, it’s essential to work from an integrated strategy that aligns all our efforts.”

Herrera emphasized that innovation is not about acquiring more equipment for the sake of technology itself. “Innovation is a change that adds value,” she explained. “Every resource we have should be aimed at fulfilling the mission. The church needs experts, not just to stay at the forefront of technology, but to ensure that technology serves the purpose of the mission.”

She urged participants to embed innovation into the church’s culture, stressing, “Innovation is everyone’s responsibility, from leaders to technologists.” Herrera also reminded attendees that merely having tools or applications is insufficient if they are not used strategically to advance the mission. “If we don’t know how to use them effectively for the mission, we’re just wasting resources,” she said.

Collaboration for Progress

In addition to the technological focus, the summit reinforced the importance of collaboration and community. Herrera reflected on the need for greater cooperation, especially in the digital age. “Social networks are for interacting and communicating, but too often those posts come from anonymity,” she noted. “We must work within a framework of collaboration and integration, where we can truly connect and move forward together.”

Participants were also encouraged to never doubt their calling. “God has not only given us abilities, but also the capacity to use them with excellence and commitment, ensuring our work impacts both the present and eternity,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the IAD. He reminded attendees of the importance of a daily connection with God, urging them to prioritize prayer and Bible study before engaging in technological work.

Key Strategies for the Mission

Richard Stephenson, CIO of the General Conference, presented the pillars of the global digital strategy, which include hybrid evangelism, responsible data usage, and the standardization of technological tools across divisions.

“Our goal is to provide specific solutions that strengthen the mission and promote collaboration at all levels of the church,” explained Stephenson. He emphasized the need to promote digital evangelism and ensure the responsible use of data to meet the specific needs of each department. “In some divisions, each department uses its own tools, and it’s crucial we move towards a more unified approach,” he added.

Stephenson’s message resonated deeply with the attendees, who were reminded of the strategic importance of technology in spreading the Three Angels’ Messages. The summit combined both practical and spiritual dimensions, aiming to empower the treasury, technology, and media teams to effectively share the church’s core messages.

Reactions from the Participants

The summit left a lasting impact on attendees, both professionally and spiritually.

Jehovanni Rojas Medina, IT director of the South Colombian Union, said, “We were looking forward to an event like this, as it creates synergy among all the technologists in Inter-America. This allows us to implement tools that serve the work we are doing.” Rojas left the summit with a broader vision and a portfolio of tools and applications for his ongoing work.

For Misael Gómez, treasurer of the Central Belize Mission, the summit confirmed that financial stability enables the organization to have a greater impact on the church’s mission. However, he added, “It’s important that we remain united in prayer so that we can be more successful in fulfilling the mission-driven purpose.”

Kristoff Williams, IT manager of the Jamaica Union, described the event as transformative: “I now have a broader perspective on security threats and how to address them in my territory. I’m inspired to collaborate more closely with the Inter-American team.”

Michel Cidolit, IT manager of the French Antilles Guiana Union, echoed these sentiments: “If we isolate ourselves, we fall behind. This event showed me how to walk alongside my colleagues to enrich our ideas and move the mission forward.”

The summit allowed Laverne Ashby, accountant for the Dutch Caribbean Union, to network, exchange ideas and apply the skills learned, all while uniting to complete the mission. “As workers for God, we must push ourselves to go further, challenge ourselves as professionals, and build relationships with other unions to standardize our efforts. This will make us more effective and help us extend our reach,” Ashby said.

A Step Toward New Horizons

The summit concluded with a call to work with excellence and innovation, with participants reminded that each action—from implementing technological solutions to strengthening cybersecurity—has an eternal impact.

“Every tool we implement should be like a piece of the tabernacle: small but essential for fulfilling our purpose,” Herrera concluded.