For the first three weeks in September, the Inter-American Division (IAD) will attempt something that has never been possible in the more than 100 years since it was organized: Gather more than 3,000 of its Seventh-day Adventist pastors to a four-day retreat.

Nearly 4,000 ministers, mostly local church pastors, who shepherd more than 23,000 congregations in the IAD territory, will take part in three ministerial retreats that will be held in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. Pastors from Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti will be able to connect remotely to engage in retreat activities in their respective countries.

It’s an idea that has been brewing for years, organizers said. The first retreat will begin in Cancun, Mexico, with nearly 2,000 pastors and their spouses from Mexico, Colombia, and Belize, as well as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, Sep. 2-5, 2024. Nearly 1,000 pastors and their spouses from the English and Spanish speaking Caribbean islands and, as well as Martinique, Guadelope and French Guiana will gather in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Sep. 9-12. More than 700 pastors and their spouses from Central American countries will meet in El Salvador, Sep. 16-19.

“We have held territory-wide meetings, trainings and festivals for laypersons, camporees for young people, meetings for literature evangelists, religious liberty events and many more, but those who are leading the churches and congregations have never had the opportunity to step away from their congregations to a retreat together at this [division] level,” said Josney Rodríguez, Ministerial Association secretary of the IAD.

Pastors in the IAD usually lead four, five, or more congregations in their district. Some pastor as many as 30 congregations. Taking a few days away from their full schedules will be refreshing in many ways, explained Rodríguez.  That will be possible thanks to the thousands of church elders that assist in shepherding the flock across the 24 unions in the IAD, he added.

“There’s so much excitement to gather and honor so many who are on the front lines overseeing our growing congregations,” said Rodríguez. In Cuba, for example, the church will gather 350 pastors and their spouses to connect remotely during the second territory-wide retreat, said Rodriguez. Similarly, pastors from both the East and West Venezuela Unions will also gather their pastors and connect remotely during the Dominican Republic retreat event.

“Pastors are the first line of defense out there in our thousands of Seventh-day Adventist Churches, and it’s important to retreat and gain spiritual anointing amid so many challenges and responsibilities they face,” explained Rodríguez.

Under the theme “Anointed,” the retreats will emphasize the need of the Holy Spirit to guide and move in the lives of the pastors and their families as they work together to minister to their congregations and their communities in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus, said Rodríguez. “We want to see our pastors renew their commitment to their ministerial call, their families, and have a deep connection with God as they continue to fulfill the mission,” he said.

Pastors and their spouses will pray together, participate in seminars, presentations, and recreational activities, have the opportunity for private family counseling, and get to know their peers from across the countries and islands in the IAD.

“The retreats will allow pastors and their spouse to spend one-on-one quality time together, look at their role as leaders, as a family, seek balance in their lives, and gain strength as they serve in the ministry,” said Rodríguez. “It’s not easy to deal with people’s challenges, emotions, issues in the congregation, oversee the construction of a church, lead membership growth, lead board meetings, and so much more, he added. “Pastors are not superhuman; they need moments to rest, feel recharged, and be ministered to continue forward in preparing others for the Kingdom.”

Speakers from the General Conference, Inter-American Division, and South American Division will be featured during the four-day retreat events.

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