Inter-America: Church elders challenged online to continue pursuing spiritual revival
Pastor Hector Sanchez, ministerial association secretary for the church in Inter-America speaks with Pastor Fontaine, assistant to the IAD president, during the church’s online Church Elders’ Council held Feb. 22, 2014, from Miami, Florida. The 75-minute live program addressed the role of the church elder and offered motivation to continue pursuing a spiritual revival for stronger congregations. Images by IAD
February 27, 2014 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America held a special program last weekend to show appreciation for the nearly 50,000 church elders ministering across some 19,000 congregations throughout the territory. The event was streamed live over the internet on Feb. 22, 2014, from Miami, Florida.
Pastor Hector Sanchez says that without the commitment of church elders throughout the IAD, churches would not run properly because pastors have to oversee five, 10, 15, or even 20 churches.
“We think it is important to motivate you to seek a personal spiritual revival our dear church elders, so that in turn your families, the church and the community can be stronger in fulfilling the mission in readiness for eternity,” said Pastor Hector Sanchez, ministerial association secretary for the church in Inter-America, as he greeted online viewers.
The 75-minute program highlighted the role of the church elder as a close partner in leading spiritual activities in the church, guiding the membership to a closer relationship with the Lord, seeking out those in need, engaging in evangelistic efforts, mentoring pastors who join a congregation, and more.
IAD President Pastor Israel Leito challenged church elders to continue in seeking out souls as chosen disciples and fishers of men as he referred to the Scriptures when Jesus called His disciples.
“You have been chosen by your church to serve not only in the winning of souls but in the retention of souls, following the example of Jesus,” said Pastor Leito. “Consider your high calling to serve as a spiritual leader for the people of God, transforming lives.”
“A revived church elder will place members as the center of spiritual program, initiatives and activities, because the salvation of our church membership is more important than our numerical growth,” said Pastor Roberto Herrera, revival and reformation coordinator for Inter-America during the live program.
In order to transform other lives, there must be a spiritual revival, said Pastor Roberto Herrera, revival and reformation coordinator for the church in Inter-America, as he addressed the online viewers.
“The spiritual health of the church should be our top priority as we prepare each member for revival,” said Herrera. “A revived church elder will place members as the center of spiritual program, initiatives and activities, because the salvation of our church membership is more important than our numerical growth.”
A spiritual revived church elder will also have a strong sense of teaching the church on the Word of God and fostering a daily prayerful life, added Herrera.
A close connection with God through prayer and the study of the Bible that will strengthen the church membership through the work of church elders in partnership with pastors, according to pastor Sanchez.
A praise group from Miami Temple Adventist Church sings during the online program.
Appreciating the work of church elders go far beyond words can say, said Pastor Sanchez. “Without our church elders, our churches could simply not run properly because our pastors have five, 10, 15, and even sometimes 20 churches they have to minister and church elders hold the fort,” said Sanchez.
The program included the officially launch of the celebration of the “Day of the Church Elder”, a special date set aside by the church in Inter-America every year on the last Sabbath in February to honor the work of the church elder.
The event was a time of reflection, inspiration and motivation as part of the church’s continued education activities during the year of non-formal education focus throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory.
To view the online church elders council, click HERE