Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist district pastors and their spouses throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) were recognized and celebrated for completing this year’s certification training program during a live-streamed event on Oct. 23, 2024, from Miami, Florida, United States.

The annual event highlights the ongoing comprehensive certification program which is designed to equip pastors with essential leadership tools for ministry as they oversee over 24,000 churches throughout the territory.

Elie Henry, president of the IAD, emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit and embodying the faith of biblical heroes. “In a world filled with escalating violence, war, and prejudice, we need to be part of a family united by a grandiose faith, capable of achieving great things for God’s Kingdom,” he said.

He urged pastors to maintain their commitment to God’s purity, even in challenging circumstances, encouraging them to become modern heroes of faith that others can follow. “God wants you to make the list of faithful heroes like Abraham, Sarah, Noah, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and so many others so that your extraordinary faith can inspire others,” he added, reassuring attendees that greater miracles lie ahead for those who live by faith.

“We must really live by faith, trusting in God today and always,” Henry said.

The one-and-a-half-hour event highlighted leadership growth across the IAD, reaffirming the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to move towards revival in each church member's spiritual growth.

Josney Rodríguez, ministerial association secretary of the IAD, explained that the certification program aligns with General Conference recommendations, which require 20 hours of training each year. “This certification strengthens pastors and ensures that their churches focus on member care through ongoing discipleship and mission work,” he said.

District pastors were honored for their commitment to ensuring their congregations are consistently following a discipleship program.

In addition, pastors and their spouses were reminded of IAD’s banner initiative coined as All the Family in Mission which seeks to involve every church member in spreading the gospel across their cities and communities in readiness for the Second Coming of Jesus.

The live event coincided with a month dedicated to honoring pastors and their families. Many pastors in the IAD lead multiple congregations, with some overseeing as many as 30.

Unions and local fields across the territory connected online to certify more than 1,500 pastors in the territory who participated in the annual pastoral certification program as well as their spouses.

Special prayer for church members in Cuba affected by the recent Hurricane Oscar, which battered the eastern coastline in Baracoa, in Guantanamo was offered during the live program. In addition, leaders prayed for church membership in Haiti facing escalating challenges there.

Looking ahead, church leaders announced an upcoming event on February 22, 2025, where ordained elders and leaders from small congregations will baptize at least three new believers. IAD administrators will be present at host sites across the 24 unions to celebrate the addition of thousands of new members.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.