In Inter-America, Church Leaders Reflect on God Blessings and Look Ahead
January 7, 2019 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD
Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders at the Inter-American Division (IAD) began the new year recounting God’s blessings in 2018, during a special praise and worship celebration today at the IAD Headquarters in Miami, Florida, United States. Church leaders and staff took time to pray, shared personal experiences, and committed to renewing efforts in the work of overseeing the territory of nearly 4 million members over the next 12 months.
IAD President Pastor Elie Henry speaks to church leaders and staff at the start of the work week in the new year, on Jan. 7, 2019, in Miami, Florida, United States. Photo by Libna Stevens/IAD
“God has a wonderful plan and a powerful way for us to witness for Him this year,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the church in Inter-America, as he spoke to the nearly 70 employees at the office.
Reflecting on the Jeremiah 33, Pastor Henry reminded leaders and staff that they must rely on God as they face challenges in their personal life and as they labor in fulfilling the mission of the church.
“No matter our circumstances, we must continue to pray and call on God to show us great and mighty things. May God help us understand all the realities and the promises for tomorrow,” said Pastor Henry.
Pastor Leonard Johnson, executive secretary for the church in Inter-America, reflected on the goodness of God throughout the year and highlighted the commitment of thousands of church members who were committed to putting what the church in the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union has coined as Mission First where more 9,000 new members were baptized as a result of small group ministries last year.
Enrique Marshall (right) of General Services at the IAD Office shares his experience at the loss of his son due to a terminal illness recently. Roberto Brown Jr. translates. Photo by Libna Stevens/IAD
The year 2018 turned out to be one of the most blessed years in the IAD, said Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer of the church in Inter-America. “As the months passed, we were reassured that God is bigger than we ever imagined and He surpassed our expectations financially,” said Verduzco. “We need to be assured that God will see us through this new year in this business of His.”
The worship program also included personal testimonies of IAD employees overcoming illness, recovery from cancer, mourning the loss of a son, as well as a prayer session and musical concert by Allison M. Rolle of The Bahamas.
IAD leaders will take the next few days to iron out evangelism initiatives, events and activities to take place in the coming months.
Allison Marrette Rolle of The Bahamas, sings during a musical concert at the IAD Office, Jan. 7, 2019. Photo by Libna Stevens/IAD
The Inter-American Division oversees the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, French Antilles, as well as Colombia and Venezuela. The IAD oversees thousands of churches, hundreds of schools and universities, and 14 hospitals in its territory.
For more on the church in Inter-America, visit us at interamerica.org