Seventh-day Adventist district pastors across the Inter-American Division (IAD) celebrated the culmination of this year’s territory-wide certification training program on Oct. 29, 2025. The annual online event was part of an ongoing initiative designed to better equip pastors as they serve in more than 24,000 churches and congregations across the territory.

This year’s two-hour online program highlighted the discipling leadership growth initiative that has been running throughout the IAD, said Josney Rodríguez, ministerial association secretary of the division. “This event marks a transition—closing one quinquennium and opening another for pastoral ministry,” he said.

Themed “His Presence Is Real: Anointed to the End—A Call to the Ministerial Family,” the certification event featured keynote messages from IAD leaders and included a special ceremony to honor district pastors and their families for their dedication and commitment to the church’s mission.

Rodríguez said the theme served as a spiritual summons for ministers to renew their commitment to service, holiness, and unity in mission.

“We want to remind pastors and their families of their sacred calling to live in full consecration to God,” he said. “It’s a call to rediscover what it truly means to be a pastor,” Rodríguez added, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith, passion, and purpose amid the changing challenges of ministry.

Pastors and their spouses also received certificates of completion for the 20 hours of training offered as part of a continuing education program certified by the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary during the past five years.

The event coincided with Pastor Appreciation Month, as Adventist congregations around the world take time to recognize the ministry of their pastors and families. Most pastors in the IAD oversee multiple congregations—ranging from two to as many as 20, Rodríguez noted.

“This event is an opportunity to express gratitude for their leadership and dedication every day,” he said.

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