Adventist Leaders Are Called To ‘Shine’ Through Unity in Mission

IAD president urges delegates at Intercultural Mission Church Planting Summit to reflect Christ’s light across cultures and communities.

May 30, 2026 | Port of Spain, Trinidad | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Pastor Abner De los Santos, president of the Inter-American Division (IAD), called on church leaders, pastors, missionaries, and lay members to reflect Christ’s light through unity, love, and spiritual transformation during a special vespers message on May 29, at the University of Southern Caribbean, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, during the Intercultural Mission Church Planting Summit.

Preaching from Isaiah 60:1-3 under the theme of shining God’s light in a dark world, De los Santos reminded delegates that the church has been called to live the mission intentionally as societies grow increasingly divided, secular, and spiritually confused.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,” De los Santos read from Scripture. “That’s more than just a word to inspire us—that’s a promise.”
Addressing hundreds of delegates gathered from across the IAD and other world church regions, De los Santos emphasized that believers cannot effectively fulfill mission without unity rooted in Christ.

“We cannot truly shine if we are divided,” he said. “We cannot reflect God’s light if we do not reflect His love.”

Throughout the message, De los Santos repeatedly stressed the importance of integration and unity across cultures, languages, and ministry backgrounds, explaining that intercultural mission requires believers to work together as one family in Christ.

“Unity is not optional. Unity is missional,” De los Santos said. “When the church is divided, the message becomes distorted. But when the church is united, the message becomes visible.”

Referring to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where Christ prayed that His followers “may be one,” De los Santos explained that the credibility of the gospel is closely tied to the unity demonstrated by believers.

“If you speak English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Dutch, or any other language, remember—we are all part of the same family,” he said.

De los Santos also stressed that genuine Christlike love cannot be produced through human effort alone but comes through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Referring to Galatians 5, he described love as “the fruit of the Spirit” and said true mission depends on spiritual transformation.

“We cannot produce love by ourselves,” De los Santos said. “Only the Lord can transform us to be missionaries.”

He also challenged delegates not to retreat from difficult circumstances or growing secularism, but instead to intentionally live the mission in practical ways.

“This is not the time to withdraw,” De los Santos said. “This is the time to live the mission intentionally—to love when it’s hard, to unify when it’s uncomfortable, and to shine when it’s unpopular.”

Connecting his message with the morning devotional presented by General Conference President Pastor Erton Köhler, De los Santos encouraged attendees to move forward boldly.

“As Pastor Köhler said this morning, we need to be bold,” De los Santos said. “But I also invite you to be united.”

During the message, Pastor De los Santos shared a personal experience from Liberia that illustrated how God can work through believers despite personal limitations and cultural barriers. He recalled preaching in English while feeling insecure about his pronunciation and communication abilities.

“I was really struggling,” De los Santos said. “Then a group of young people came to me and told me, ‘We know you are afraid about English, but don’t be afraid. While you are trying to preach in English, we are understanding in French.’”

The experience, he said, reminded him that God can overcome language and cultural barriers to accomplish His mission through willing believers.

“When God wants His light to shine, no matter the challenges, He can use you,” De los Santos said.

He also emphasized that discipleship must remain central to every strategic mission initiative of the church.

“Discipleship is the umbrella of the mission,” De los Santos said. “We are here to make disciples.”

Using the image of candles lighting a dark village, De los Santos illustrated how the church becomes stronger and brighter when believers unite together in mission.

“When we are united in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and living in love, the light becomes undeniable,” he said.

De los Santos concluded with an appeal for delegates to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives so they can reflect Christ in every culture and context.

“This is your time,” he said. “Arise and shine. Pursue unity. Abide in Christ. And don’t just believe the mission—live the mission.”

The evening worship service also featured testimonies from converted Seventh-day Adventists from various world religions, underscoring the ongoing mission of reaching individuals and people groups with the gospel message.