Inter-America Opens Annual SeLD Conference on Building Capacity for Mission

More than 1,500 church leaders gather in person and online for annual SeLD conference in Panama City, Panama.

July 27, 2026 | Panama City, Panama | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

More than 1,500 Seventh-day Adventist executive officers, administrators, department directors, local pastors and church elders gathered in person and online today as the Inter-American Division (IAD) officially opened its annual Segment Leadership Development (SeLD) Conference in Panama City, Panama, today under the theme “Building Capacity to Fulfill the Mission.”

Throughout the opening program, church leaders were challenged to cultivate Christ-centered leadership that equips others and strengthens the church’s mission.

The annual leadership conference is designed to strengthen leaders across the IAD through spiritual renewal, organizational development and practical training. Nearly 700 leaders are attending the three-day event in Panama City, while more than 800 others are participating virtually from throughout the division’s territory.

Called to Equip Others

Welcoming participants, Pastor Abner De los Santos, president of the IAD, reminded attendees that although they represent different territories, cultures and ministries, they are united by a single calling.

“Our theme invites us to reflect on why God has called us to lead and how He desires to use us at this moment in the history of His church,” De los Santos said. “We are here to develop our capacity to fulfill God’s mission.”

Describing SeLD as more than a leadership conference, De los Santos said it is “a spiritual opportunity for God to renew our mission, strengthen our commitment, and prepare us to serve His people more effectively.”

Drawing from Ephesians 4:11-12, he emphasized that Christ calls leaders not merely to manage organizations but to prepare His people for ministry.

“God does not call leaders simply to administer responsibilities,” De los Santos said. “God calls leaders to equip His people for the fulfillment of the mission. Every member of the church has both the privilege and the responsibility to participate in God’s mission.”

Using a fishing net as an illustration, De los Santos explained that just as every strand must be connected and strengthened before the net can fulfill its purpose, the church becomes most effective when every believer is equipped to serve.

“The strength of the net is never found in a single thread,” he said. “Its strength is found in the connection of all its threads.” Likewise, he added, “God never designed His mission to depend on one person, one ministry or one level of leadership. He designed His mission as one connected body, where every person has a purpose and every contribution has value.”

He challenged leaders to focus on developing others rather than measuring success by personal accomplishments.

“The question should not simply be, ‘What can I do?’ but, ‘Whom can I equip? Whom can I develop? Who will be stronger because I invested in that person’s life?'” he said. “Leadership is measured by multiplication.”

Faithful Leadership in Changing Times

Shifting the focus from equipping leaders to leading through adversity, keynote speaker G. T. Ng, former executive secretary of the General Conference, challenged participants to remain faithful during seasons of crisis, uncertainty and disappointment, drawing lessons from the lives of Joseph, Elijah, Jehoshaphat and Daniel.

“God’s providence always comes first,” Ng said as he reflected on Joseph’s years of betrayal, slavery and imprisonment. Despite 13 years of adversity, Joseph remained faithful because he trusted that “God would come through.”

Ng urged leaders to view crises as opportunities to demonstrate unwavering faith rather than fear, highlighting Jehoshaphat’s dependence on prayer before battle and Daniel’s steadfast integrity in the face of persecution.

“A leader’s greatest defense is the life he has already lived,” Ng said, noting that Daniel’s faithfulness and character spoke louder than any accusation against him. He encouraged leaders to seek God’s kingdom first, trusting the Holy Spirit to provide wisdom and strength through every challenge.

Ng also cautioned leaders against allowing personal disappointment to overshadow their calling. Reflecting on the story of former Adventist leader Louis R. Conradi, he warned that positions should never become a measure of identity or success.

“Nobody is entitled to a position,” Ng said. “Our calling is to serve wherever God places us.”

Retired General Conference Vice President Lowell Cooper continued the emphasis on Christ-centered leadership by focusing on the personal qualities leaders need to navigate a rapidly changing world.

“The world is experiencing powerful winds of change,” Cooper said, citing advances in technology and artificial intelligence, climate-related challenges and shifting social and political realities. “But no matter how strong those winds become, there are matters of leadership that must remain constant.”

Those enduring qualities, he explained, include spirituality, humility, trustworthiness, emotional intelligence, hope and effective communication, attributes that shape how leaders influence people beyond technical knowledge and administrative skills.

“Trust is the most important resource of any organization,” Cooper said. “Where trust exists, all other resources become available.” He encouraged leaders to cultivate Christlike character, communicate with clarity, build healthy teams and embrace change while remaining anchored in biblical values.

Strengthening Leaders for the Mission

Pastor Balvin Braham, IAD vice president for Leadership Development and organizer of the conference, said SeLD continues to invest intentionally in leaders who will strengthen the church throughout the Inter-American Division.

“Over the years, I have witnessed teams of leaders who transform institutions, organizations, ministries and departments through collaboration, persistent faith and committed efforts,” Braham said. “Leadership is not a solitary pursuit, it is strengthened in community, fueled by shared values, and actualized by divinely inspired action.”

Braham encouraged participants to take full advantage of the three-day experience to grow personally, spiritually and professionally.

“Together, we build capacity not just for ourselves, but for the mission Christ has entrusted to us,” he said. “Let the journey of growth and service proceed as we continue building capacity to fulfill the mission.”

Throughout the opening day, participants joined in worship, prayer and fellowship as they prepared for additional keynote presentations, workshops and collaborative discussions scheduled through July 30.

For more information on this year’s SeLD Conference, visit seldconference.com