Chiapas, Mexico…[Edersein Alvarez/IAD]
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Mexico brought together hundreds of lay evangelists and lay preachers for its Lay Evangelist Congress at the campus of Linda Vista Adventist University in Chiapas, Mexico, from June 15-18. More than 1,000 delegates, pastors and church leaders from the six regions of the South Mexican Union territory met to be recognized for the work of the lay people force, offer seminars, and inspire the lay people to continue to share Jesus.
“This lay congress has been organized with the purpose to inspire and train you for the most important task–to preach the gospel,” said pastor David Javier, president of the church in South Mexico.
With the theme “Every Member A Disciple”, laypeople were provided with tools so that their work can continue developing and increasing.
Pastor Miguel Presuel, personal ministries director of the church in South Mexico who was in charge of coordinating the event, emphasized the need for laypersons to adjust to the changing times of today’s society.
“We want this lay congress to deepen your commitment in living the gospel and move forward empowered with a dynamic, modern and effective leadership approach so that the church can keep on growing,” Presuel said. “We need to invest every necessary resource so that every church member can be a disciple and become an effective leader to bring new believers into the church.”
Guest speakers included Pastor Sergio Moctezuma, retired IAD personal ministries director who led the work of the laity for over two decades in the Inter-American Division; Pastor Ramon Maury, retired and former IAD vice-president, Pastor Jansen Trotman, IAD field secretary, Pastor Carlyle Bayne, IAD personal ministries director; Dr. Richard Norton, professor at Andrews University; and Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University.
