February 11, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
Thousands of local church elders throughout the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America will conclude their fourth year of a special certification program during a special online program on Sabbath, Feb. 19, 2022. The certification program will help church elders to equip and better assist pastors and minister to the growing membership in more than 23,000 congregations. The two-hour event will be held from 4:00pm to 6:00 p.m. Miami Time.
More than 31,000 church elders have already been part of ministering to local congregations with a comprehensive discipleship program to help members grow spiritually, ensure their needs are being met, face today’s challenges and motivate them to better impact their their communities with the gospel, says Pastor Josney Rodríguez, ministerial secretary of the church in Inter-America.
“We’re looking to continue providing elders with new skills so they can be prepared and equipped to continue teaching, ministering, preaching and administrating alongside pastors as they adapt to the challenges the church faces today,” said Rodríguez.
The event will also launch the start of the next level of certification this year with training under the Inter-American Division (IAD) leadership as well as union leadership, he explained. This year the spouses of the elders will also join in the certification program—an added part that seeks to strengthen the church elder’s family in their dedicated service every week.
The program will be streamed live online and will see thousands connected or gathered across conference and mission fields, churches, and small groups.
Pastor Jerry Page, ministerial secretary for the Adventist world church will be a keynote speaker, Pastor Elie Henry, president of the IAD as well as other IAD and union leaders during the online program.
The online event will be held in Spanish, English and French and will feature outstanding churches which have certified its elders, as well as include reports from throughout the IAD territory.
To view the Inter-America’s Online certification program on Sabbath, Feb. 19, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Miami Time, visit IAD Connectivity online channel HERE