“When we see the growth of the church and how each member of every congregation is cared for, we praise God and want to thank you for the important ministry you are doing,” said Pastor Elie Henry, Inter-American Division (IAD) president, during the annual elder certification program held online on Feb. 17, 2024. During the program, thousands of local church elders were recognized for their extraordinary efforts in shepherding the membership across the more than 23,000 congregations in the IAD territory.
“God has given you power to accomplish a magnificent ministry and we thank you for what you are doing, your dedication and commitment in the church,” said Pastor Henry.
Pastor Henry encouraged church elders to keep visiting homes, discipling members, and sharing the hope of the gospel as they teach Bible studies and minister to others in their communities. “Together with the pastors and church leaders we can share the love and care God has for us and His people wherever we are,” Pastor Henry said.
Church elders, who also oversee deacons and deaconesses in leading the local congregations, were also encouraged to continue in prayer and study of God’s Word as they minister day by day. “We must continue presenting the good news of the gospel to the church members and the community around us, trusting in God who is in control of everything,” said Pastor Henry.
“Today we are celebrating your work especially in completing your certification for another year,” said Pastor Josney Rodríguez, ministerial secretary of the IAD, as he led the online program.
More than 18,000 church elders completed last year’s comprehensive elder certification training program, he said. “In the IAD, there are more than 40,000 church elders and we want you to continue being the light of the world so that every church, every family, every member can be the light of the world,” said Rodríguez.
Rodríguez urged church leaders and elders to strive to get each one of their church elders enrolled in the annual certification program.
Pastor Carlos Ruiz, ministerial secretary of the Chiapas Mexican Union, said that the ministerial secretaries in the eight conferences and missions work exclusively to oversee and care for the 4,188 church elders and their spouses who also lead in small group ministry. There were 2,917 who completed the elder certification program last year. “They are putting their full heart into the work of the church in supporting the ministry of the pastor throughout Chiapas,” said Ruiz.
In addition, the union is planning to offer the certification program to deacons and deaconesses through video and audio messages to reach every city, town and mountain region across Chiapas, Ruiz said.
In East Venezuela, Raquel Paredes, SIEMA leader in the East Venezuela Union, reported that nearly 900 spouses of elders completed the certification. “We were able to certify 91 percent of our church elder spouses, and work alongside the certification of elders and their spouses,” she said.
Ministerial leaders spoke briefly during the online event to report on church elders being certified in the territory, recognize unions with the most elders certified and highlight exemplary churches that are consistently nurturing and discipling their members.
“Our goal is to have each one of our local church elders registered in the annual certification program,” said Rodríguez. The comprehensive elder certification program has been running since 2017.
“Church elders have vast leadership responsibilities that together with the deacons, deaconesses, and small group leaders keep the church on course in ministering and engaging members in the mission,” explained Rodríguez.
Church elders were urged to make use of the Adventist Church Management Program in their local congregations to account for each member, care for their spiritual needs and engage them in the life of the church.
“We want to get to four million members in Inter-America but the only way to care and grow the church is closely ministering to the church members,” said Rodríguez.
The online annual event marked the start of the next level of certification this year with training under the IAD ministerial leadership as well as union leadership.
“We continue to provide elders and their spouses with new skills so they can be better equipped to teach, minister, and preach alongside pastors as they adapt to the challenges the church faces today,” Rodríguez said.
The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.