The Central South Chile Conference (ACSCh), the administrative headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the territory, organized the first congress of Adventist Possibility Ministries, which took place on Sabbath, June 17, 2023. The event took place at Chile Adventist University and was attended by about 70 people interested in inclusion, among whom were the leaders of the ministry in the churches and church members who took on the challenge of leading this ministry in the near future.

The congress was a response to the growing need to awaken sensitivity to people with disabilities within Adventist churches. It recognized the importance of providing an inclusive, welcoming space for all members, including those who have not had an approach due to their reality.

Among the attendees were ministry leaders who recently took office, as is the case of María René Vargas, from the University Extension Church, who indicated that currently, there is a lack of knowledge about the aids and means to involve people with disabilities in the ministries of the church.

Training on Inclusion

Various topics related to inclusion in the churches were addressed. The multidisciplinary team of counselors from APM in the Biobío and Ñuble regions presented a talk entitled "How to Make Worship Inclusive," providing practical guidelines for adapting religious activities to the needs of people with disabilities.

Occupational therapist Franco Zapata, along with two colleagues, presented the lecture "Sensory Profiles," which explored the different ways in which people experience the world through their senses. This enabled attendees to better understand individual needs and tailor worship environments accordingly.

Another outstanding talk was "Disability and Life Cycle Benefits," presented by Oscar Vargas, a kinesiologist and national consultant for APM. This presentation addressed the life stages of people with disabilities and the support the state could provide in different situations.

In addition, coach Carlos Cepeda shared his experience in the field of teamwork, and with practical activities, he motivated the attendees and highlighted the importance of collaboration and effective communication to achieve successful inclusion in churches.

Appreciations

Pastor Carlos Sanchez, department director, expressed his satisfaction for the realization of this congress and highlighted the importance of creating awareness about inclusion in Adventist communities: "Our goal is to awaken sensitivity and promote the active participation of all people in our churches, regardless of their abilities. We want to provide an environment where everyone feels valued and can fully develop their faith."

Yanina Melis, educator and counselor for the department, specializing in mental health and wellness, was part of the coordination of the event and indicated that due to the call, there was significant interest of the people in training and getting involved in this ministry.

Finally, Dean Giménez, an attendee with different abilities, is a member of the UNACH Church and indicates he has had good experiences in general within the church; however, he highlights the importance of this type of events to fulfill the mission as a church, welcoming and showing the love of God to all.

The first Adventist Possibility Ministries Congress was a significant step toward promoting inclusion in the Adventist churches of the Central South Chile Conference. The hope is that this event will inspire more church leaders and members to work together to create inclusive, welcoming communities for all.

Check out more images from the event here.

The original version of this story was posted on the South America Division Spanish-language news site.