More than 500 church leaders expected in Panama City as conference focuses on building capacity for mission through leadership development, innovation, and collaboration.
June 11, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
Seventh-day Adventist church administrators, departmental directors, pastors, and emerging leaders from across the Inter-American Division (IAD) are expected to gather in Panama City, Panama, July 27–30, for the Segment Leadership Development (SeLD) Conference, a leadership training event designed to strengthen the church’s capacity to fulfill its mission in a rapidly changing world.
Held under the theme “Building Capacity to Fulfill the Mission,” the conference is expected to draw more than 500 in-person participants from throughout the IAD, making it the eighth in-person SeLD gathering and the first to be held outside Miami, Florida.
“Our goal is to strengthen leaders so they can respond to today’s challenges while remaining focused on the church’s mission,” said Pastor Balvin Braham, vice president of the IAD and coordinator of SeLD. “The mission is becoming more difficult to fulfill because leaders face more distractions, greater demands, and rapidly changing realities. Our goal is to provide practical leadership insights that will help current and future leaders remain effective in advancing the mission of the church.”
This year’s program will feature plenary presentations and specialized leadership tracks addressing some of the most pressing issues facing church leaders today. Topics include faithful leadership in polarized times, engaging society without compromising mission, leadership during uncertainty, generational and cultural reconciliation, ministry partnerships between women and men, human dignity and equality, digital transformation, innovation, governance, financial stewardship, discipleship, mentorship, and the use of technology in ministry.
Featured presenters include former General Conference (GC) Executive Secretary G. T. Ng, former GC Vice President Lowell Cooper, GC Vice President Artur Stele, former GC Vice President Ella Simmons, GC Associate General Counsel Todd McFarland, and numerous leaders from throughout Inter-America.
Several sessions will also address emerging leadership realities, including artificial intelligence, digital ministry tools, organizational effectiveness, strategic planning, and leadership development for future church leaders.
Organizers said the conference is intended not only to strengthen current leaders but also to help prepare those who may assume leadership responsibilities in the years ahead.
“One of the things we have always done at SeLD is bring experienced leaders—people who have been there, seen it, and done it,” Braham said. “They have valuable lessons to share with both current leaders and those preparing for future responsibilities.”
According to Braham, moving the SeLD Conference to Panama aligns with the IAD’s desire to bring the event closer to its territory and increase participation. He noted that hosting the conference in Panama reduces travel costs and removes some of the barriers leaders may face when traveling to the United States, making the gathering more accessible to attendees from across Inter-America.
Since its launch, SeLD has served as a leadership development platform for newly elected administrators, departmental directors, pastors, and church employees across the IAD.
Organizers say the event continues to provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas that strengthen leadership throughout the territory.
The conference will be held at the Megapolis Hotel in Panama City. Registration remains open through June 15.
For more information and registration details, visit seldconference.com