Inter-American Division President Abner De Los Santos and administrators pray at the close of the departmental advisory meetings with Inter-American Division and General Conference leaders on Apr. 1, 2026, in Miami, Florida. [Photo: Libna Stevens]
Prayer of consecration marks close of advisory meetings highlighting unity, youth engagement, and three major evangelistic initiatives

April 8, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Seventh-day Adventist Leaders from the Inter-American Division (IAD) concluded their annual departmental advisory meetings with a prayer of consecration, committing themselves to mission and to serving as active representatives of a movement seeking to ignite the church across the territory.

The three-day meetings, held March 30–April 1, in Miami, Florida, United States, brought together hundreds of union and division department heads to review initiatives, align ministry efforts, and strengthen collaboration in support of the IAD’s strategic priorities for 2026–2030.

Pastor Alvaro Niño, under secretary and family ministries director,  smiles with fellow Inter-American Division departmental leaders at the close of the three-day advisory meetings in Miami, Florida. [Photo: Libna Stevens]
Pastor Abner De Los Santos, president of the IAD, highlighted the spiritual tone that shaped the meetings, pointing to the interconnected devotional messages presented throughout the event.

“We have heard inspiring messages that were deeply connected,” he said, referencing the devotional challenges shared by Erton Kohler, General Conference president, Ivelisse Herrera, IAD treasurer and Pierre Caporal, IAD executive secretary.

He noted that the messages called leaders to live the mission grounded in Scripture, to pray for more workers while committing themselves to service, and to live not only for the mission but for the God of the mission.

“We are not only moving in the same direction—we are in synergy, united by God’s grace and committed to fulfilling the mission,” De Los Santos said.

Abner De Los Santos speaks to department leaders during advisory meetings in Miami, Florida, highlighting unity and shared mission as they prepare to implement key initiatives across the territory. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
Pastor De los Santos emphasized that mission remains central to the church’s identity. “Without mission, we have no reason to exist,” he added, urging leaders to remain rooted in the Bible, connected to Christ, and united in service.”

Strategic Vision Rooted in Mission

De Los Santos outlined the IAD’s strategic plan, built on four key pillars: Communion with God, Identity in Christ, Unity in the Spirit, and Mission for all.

Using the analogy of a tree, he explained that the church must remain rooted in Scripture, connected to Christ as its source of life, united in collaborative ministry, and focused on bearing fruit through mission.

He also reminded leaders that mission must be lived through compassion and love, especially in a world marked by increasing challenges.

Orlando Ramírez, president and communication director of the West Venezuela Union, sits with his union leadership team during the closing session of the departmental advisory meetings in Miami, Florida.[Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
“The mission is lived in love,” he said, warning that while “the love of many may grow cold,” it must not grow cold among those who are committed to Christ and His mission.

IAD three major initiatives were presented as key drivers of mission across the IAD territory for the quinquennium period:

One Voice 2027

The “One Voice 2027” initiative calls for every church member to proclaim the gospel using available communication tools.

“Everyone can participate,” said Abel Márquez, IAD communication director, emphasizing that members can engage through digital platforms, personal outreach, literature distribution, or prayer.

Abel Márquez, communication director, speaks about the global One Voice 27 initiative during the closing session of the departmental advisory meetings, ahead of presentations by Roberto Herrera (right), stewardship director, on “Every Church One Church” and Josney Rodríguez (let), ministerial association secretary, on Impact 2028, as Abner De Los Santos (second left), IAD president looks on. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
The initiative will expand training across departments—including women, youth, and children—encouraging full participation as the church prepares for a united evangelistic emphasis.

Each Church Planting One Church

The initiative “Every Church One Church,” seeks to strengthen and multiply congregations across the division.

“We still believe that the work of God advances every time a new congregation is established,” Pastor Roberto Herrera, IAD stewardship director said.

The initiative calls on every church to grow and reproduce a new congregation within five years, with a structured plan leading to new church plants across the territory by 2030.

Pastor David Uribe, chaplaincy, health, and youth ministries director of the Dominican Union, listens during the closing session of the advisory meetings on Apr. 1, 2026, in Miami, Florida. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
Impact 2028

Impact2028 is a large-scale evangelistic initiative designed to mobilize the entire division.

The effort aims to establish more than 100,000 preaching sites across 42 countries, reaching millions with the gospel message, explained Pastor Josney Rodríguez, IAD ministerial association secretary.

“This is something unprecedented,” he said, noting that coordinated evangelistic campaigns will take place from May 20 to June 3, 2028.

Youth and Children at the Center of Mission

Pastor De Los Santos placed special emphasis on empowering younger generations in mission.

Children and youth are stepping into active roles in the One Voice 27 initiative as the church trains a new generation to share the gospel across the Inter-American Division. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
“It is time to give children and youth a leading role in proclaiming the gospel,” he said.

He pointed to recent examples of youth involvement in evangelism, affirming that when young people are given opportunities, God works powerfully through them.

De Los Santos emphasized that beyond strategic planning, the church’s effectiveness depends on full reliance on God.

“We cannot fulfill the mission without the presence of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

“Mission is for everyone,” he concluded. “Pastors, lay members, men, women, and children, all are called to participate as we prepare for Christ’s soon return.”

Leticia De Los Santos, ministerial spouses association coordinator, speaks to union leaders during the advisory meetings on Mar. 31, 2026, in Miami, Florida. [Keila Trejo/IAD]
From Strategy to Local Church Impact

Among the leaders attending the advisory meetings was Henry Moncur, a seasoned pastor and departmental director at the Atlantic Caribbean Union with nearly three decades of service. He oversees five departments—Stewardship, ADRA, Communication, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, and Evangelism—while also serving as an associate pastor of a congregation of about 350 members in The Bahamas.

Reflecting on the meetings, Moncur said the emphasis on collaboration stood out most. “We’re stronger when we work together instead of trying to make our individual departments shine,” he said.

He noted that this approach is already shaping his ministry. Rather than creating separate programs, he is intentionally integrating efforts across departments, partnering with ministries such as women’s, youth, and health to maximize impact.

Henry Moncur, departmental director at the Atlantic Caribbean Union, speaks during the advisory meetings in Miami, Florida. Moncur said he will return to his territory emphasizing collaboration across ministries, noting, “We’re stronger when we work together.” [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
Remaining active in local church leadership, Moncur said, has helped him ensure that broader church initiatives reach the congregation level. “A lot of what comes from higher levels doesn’t always filter down,” he said. “I want to see how these initiatives actually work and help make them effective.”

Over the past four years, he has seen that approach transform his congregation, shifting it toward a more community-focused mission with greater engagement. “We’ve been able to make these initiatives real—something that truly transforms lives,” he said.

As he returns to his territory, Moncur plans to carry that same spirit of alignment into union advisory meetings, emphasizing shared priorities over individual agendas.

Kimberly Solís, communication director of the Nicaragua Union, one of the youngest departmental directors in the territory, listens attentively during the closing meetings in Miami, Florida, as key initiatives for the next five years are highlighted. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]
He added that the clarity and simplicity of the IAD’s strategic focus have renewed his enthusiasm. “There’s a sense of focus and connectivity,” he said. “It’s practical, relevant, and gives us energy to move forward together in mission.”

Expanding Vision for Mission and Communication

Also reflecting on the impact of the advisory meetings was Kimberly Solís, age 23, one of the youngest departmental directors in the territory, recently appointed as communication director of the Nicaragua Union.

Solís described the meetings as a transformative experience that expanded her vision for ministry. “The advisory was a great blessing for me,” she said, noting that listening to the strategies and experiences of more established unions helped her better understand the scope and responsibility of her role.

IAD President Abner De Los Santos, and Alyssa Truman (front left), communication director of the General Conference with the Inter-American Division communication team and union communication directors during advisory meetings in Miami, Florida, focused on advancing strategic priorities for the next five years. [Photo: Daniel Castillo/IAD]
Returning to Nicaragua, Solís plans to strengthen organization and collaboration across departments. “Communication is not isolated, it must be integrated with all ministries,” she said, adding that her team will focus on improving the church’s visibility while training new “digital disciples” to share the gospel.

She also underscored the importance of involving youth, children, and women. “They are key to mobilizing the church,” she said.

Leaders Affirm Unity and Shared Mission

Other leaders from across the territory echoed similar enthusiasm and clarity as they reflected on the advisory’s impact.

Church leaders kneel in prayer during the Ministerial Association advisory meetings on Apr. 1, 2026. [Photo: Keila Trejo/IAD]
Lorraine Vernal, director of children’s, adolescents and women’s ministries in the Jamaica Union, said the focus on unity and mission stood out clearly. “This advisory was timely and very pertinent,” she said, noting it has prepared and motivated her to return to Jamaica to encourage women, children, and church members to actively live the mission as they share the message of Christ’s soon return.

Pastor Orlando Ramírez, president and communication director of the West Venezuela Union emphasized the spirit of unity among leaders, describing the meetings as a reminder of the importance of working together “in harmony” to fulfill God’s mission.

Paola Murillo pointed to the strong alignment across departments. “We are all on the same page, with the same mission and desire to work for God,” she said, highlighting health ministry as a key avenue to open doors for sharing the gospel.

Women’s ministries leaders from across the Inter-American Division listen during their advisory meeting on Apr. 1, 2026. [Photo: Keila Trejo/IAD]
“There is mission for everyone,” said Abner De Los Santos as the gathering concluded. “Pastors and lay members, men, women, and children—all are called to participate as we live the mission together.”

Keila Trejo contributed to this report.

For more stories of leadership and community impact across the Inter-American Division, visit us at interamerica.org