The Inter-American Division (IAD) brought its territory-wide Pastoral Certification Program to a close during a livestreamed event celebration on October 29, 2025, from Miami, Florida, United States.

The event gathered hundreds of pastors, spouses, and leaders from across Inter-America for a time of recognition, thanksgiving, and renewed commitment to ministry.

The online program marked the conclusion of a multi-year certification initiative that strengthened thousands of pastoral families in leadership, spiritual growth, and mission effectiveness.

Abner De Los Santos, president of the IAD, urged pastors and their families to remain steadfast in their mission and faith, reminding them that ministry is not only a calling but also a divine means of salvation.

Preaching from Joshua chapter 3, De Los Santos compared the challenges of ministry to crossing the Jordan River, calling pastors to “get their feet wet” and trust God to open the way before them.

De Los Santos spoke of the sacred responsibility of pastors to lead God’s people toward the heavenly Canaan while ensuring that they, too, are walking toward that same destination.

“It is the plan of God that each one of us participates in the mission. To the extent that we fulfill it, God fulfills His purpose in us,” said De los Santos. He encouraged ministers to face difficulties with courage, inspire confidence among their members, and lead by example through faith and obedience. “No matter the obstacles in our ministry, we are never alone. God has control over every element, natural or supernatural,” he said.

De los Santos charged pastors to continue fulfilling the mission with humility, courage, and trust in God’s power.

The celebration honored those who completed certification, as well as several long-serving administrators and departmental directors who recently transitioned from their roles after decades of service.

Honoring Faithful Service

During the ceremony, IAD Ministerial Secretary Josney Rodríguez led the program alongside the division’s president, Abner De Los Santos, and Secretary Pierre Caporal. Rodríguez described the gathering as “the closing of one stage and the beginning of another,” emphasizing gratitude and joy for those who have served faithfully.

“We want every pastor to finish the ministry with joy,” Rodríguez said. “Reaching this point, after years of sacrifice and moving from place to place, is an extraordinary achievement that can only happen by the grace of God.”

Honored during the event were pastors Elie and Ketlie Henry, Leonard and Denise Johnson, Pedro and Cecilia Iglesias, and Melchor and Meridiana Ferreira, each recognized for their years of leadership and dedication to the mission of the Inter-American Division.

IAD leaders paid tribute to Eli Henry and his wife, Ketlie, recognizing their visionary and compassionate leadership during their tenure in the IAD. Leaders noted that Henry’s guidance “left the Division better than he found it,” reflecting a legacy of faith, unity, and growth.

Though Henry was away on a work trip, Ketlie reflected on their years of ministry together, quoting Habakkuk 2:4: “The just shall live by faith.” “Every step with Jesus takes us where He wants us to serve Him and for our own good,” she said.

Speaking from an airport as he prepared for an international trip, Leonard Johnson, former executive secretary of the IAD and now serving as vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, expressed deep gratitude for his years of service and for the spiritual passion that continues to guide his ministry.

Johnson emphasized that, although his new responsibilities now extended globally, he carries with him the same zeal for evangelism and devotion that characterized his service in Inter-America.

The moment was marked by messages of appreciation, prayers and expressions of gratitude from church leaders and family members highlighting the spirit of service and continuity that defines the IAD’s ministerial family.

Connecting from Costa Rica, Pedro Iglesias, former associate secretary and family ministries director of the IAD expressed gratitude for the warmth and unity found across the territory.

“What we take with us is the love, the fervor, and the joy of our Inter-American family,” he said. His wife, Cecilia, former associate director of family ministries and ministerial association, encouraged pastors’ wives to “love the ministry and love the people,” assuring them that “by loving others, they will feel the love of God.”

Melchor Ferreira and his wife Meridiana also shared reflections on their 45 years in ministry, including nearly 18 in the IAD.

“Our best years were here,” Ferreira said. “Inter-America is the frame around the photograph of our ministry, it has been a place of friendship, camaraderie, and faith.”

Celebrating Pastoral Commitment

The event also recognized pastoral and ministerial spouses across the territory who completed the five-year certification journey. Rodríguez announced that several unions achieved full participation, including the Nicaragua Union  where all 59 pastors were certified, and the East Venezuela Union, where 146 of 147 pastors met all requirements as well as 360 of the 366 pastors from the Chiapas Mexican Union.

He also praised the dedication of pastoral spouses, noting that entire groups of ministers’ wives from unions such as El Salvador, Nicaragua, and East Venezuela achieved 100 percent certification.

“Our pastors and their families have grown in knowledge, grace, and commitment to God’s mission,” said Rodríguez.

A Vision for the Next Five Years

In his closing address, Rodríguez shared the IAD’s new ministerial vision for the next quinquennium, focusing on strengthening local leadership and deepening spiritual mentorship.

“From now on, our focus is to strengthen the union and field leadership so that the ministerial secretariat is closer to every pastor,” he explained. “We want to visit their homes, pray with their families, and help them reach the finish line, not only retirement, but the coming of Christ.”

He urged ministers to build genuine friendship and unity within the pastoral community.

Rodríguez also highlighted the importance of mentoring younger pastors: “That young pastor who is about to be ordained, in 15 or 20 years, he will be a union or division leader. We must prepare him now to carry the mission forward.”

Welcoming New Leadership

The program concluded with the introduction of four new leaders joining the IAD headquarters team: Daniel Torreblanca, youth ministries director; William Barrero, personal ministries and Sabbath school director; Álvaro Niño, associate secretary; and Sandra Pinto, women’s ministries and children and adolescent ministries director.

“The division will never be the same,” said IAD administrators, “because these leaders come with fresh ideas and passion to strengthen mission across Inter-America.”

As the event drew to a close, division leaders gathered on stage for a series of three prayers: for retirees, for new leaders, and for all pastors across the territory, especially those facing challenges in regions affected by recent Hurricane Melissa.

“We close a beautiful stage,” Rodríguez said, “but the mission continues. May the Lord find us faithful until we see Him return in glory.”

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