January 10, 2011 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD
Seventh-day Adventist leaders and staff at the Inter-American Division (IAD) Headquarters began the new year today reflecting on God’s blessings upon the church territory in 2010 and focused on a renewed commitment to the mission for 2011.
The 80 church leaders and staff members met during a special worship service in the headquarter office in Miami, Florida, officially setting the tone of what promises to be a productive year for the 3 million plus membership it oversees.
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, boasted of the three recently voted union or church regions voted in the IAD and introduced special worship speaker Dr. Leonard Johnson, president of the Atlantic Caribbean Union.
Dr. Johnson who leads the church of more than 25,000 members in The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos, spoke to church employees on the experiences they could draw from Luke 10:38-42.
“We worry too much about when things need to start, there will always be challenges, there will always be deadlines, but God does not want us His children to overlook and forget Him,” said Johnson of what took place with Martha.
“We must take in the Word of God. Mary knew what was important, she knew what deserved her time, she knew what ought to receive her attention and focus. There are times we have to put aside food, comforts of life if we are to experience revival and reformation.”
Johnson went on to challenge the dozens of employees who serve a vast church territory “to focus in the right place, give the best in 2011, and make time for Christ, leaving nothing between the soul and the Savior.”
The worship program also featured a concert by vocalist Alex Corvo who traveled from the French Guiana. Corvo, a high school music teacher shared his calling and passion for music through songs of praise.
The top three officers reflected on the successes and challenges of 2010 and spoke on the sessions and events for 2011.
“We have serious union sessions throughout the Division in 2011,” said Pastor Leito.
Pastor Leito also touched on the large events expected to impact the territory in the days, weeks, and months to come as a wave of spiritual revival and reformation permeates the IAD as well as the largest division-wide youth camporee takes place in April, among other events and initiatives.
Pastor Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer of the church in Inter-America, reported on the commitment of the church membership in the territory through the strong consistent tithes and offerings in 2010 as reflected in previous years.
“The Lord crown the year with blessings,” said Verduzco as he quoted Psalm 65:11 as he reported finances for 2010 and the current year.
“The IAD has to be prepared to deal with the territory, investing in the territory, so I feel assured and certain as we face 2011.”
That financial growth is a reflection of the more 3,387,242 Seventh-day Adventists, Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary for the church in Inter-America, reported on as the latest September 2010 numbers came in.
The more than 3.3 million members reflected a 63 percent increase in membership since 2000, according to Henry. “We are a growing church and we are moving ahead very fast.”
Henry reported that it took 65 years for the IAD to reach one million members in 1987; 2 million in 2000; and 3 million in 2008.
While Henry said that it would be a short time for the territory to reach 4 million, plans are underway for audits to be held throughout the territory and continued initiatives for retaining members so the 10,562 churches and congregations can continue to grow.
Leaders will continue to refine strategies in the coming days, plan on initiatives and projects to come.
The Inter-American Division Headquarters oversees the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 21 regions of the territory, which boasts thousands of churches, hundreds of schools and university, and dozens of hospitals and clinics.
To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America, visit us at https://recursing-golick.147-182-135-0.plesk.page
