A group of deacons from the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union show off their certificates during the Inter-American Division’s online Deacons and Deaconesses Council held Sep. 23, 2023. Deacons and deaconesses gathered in churches, auditoriums, and homes to be part of the church’s celebration of their commitment to the church and to receive training on their responsibilities. [Photo: Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union]
September 29, 2023 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

“What a great joy it is to see how you continue to serve God and His church, inspiring and assisting our church members across the Inter-American Division,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the Inter-American Division, as he addressed thousands of deacons and deaconesses across the more than 23,000 Seventh-day Adventist Churches on Sep. 23, 2023. “You have served and ministered for the good of the church, fulfilling the task at hand to advance the gospel message in everything you do.”

Pastor Henry reflected on the important role deacons and deaconesses play in welcoming, listening to, and shepherding the flock in support of church elders and pastors in united efforts for the kingdom.  “Your ministry is one that was clearly spoken in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul carrying a highly spiritual influence for those in the community.”

Digna Emerita Roberts de Sanchez (center) from the Pedregal Adventist Church in the southeastern part of Panama is presented with a Medal of Honor for her 63 years of service as a deaconess by Pastor José De Gracia, president of the Panama Union and wife Rosalinda De Gracia on Sep. 23, 2023, in Panama City, Panama. [Photo: Moises Diaz]
The gifts and joy God has placed in each deacon and deaconess is crucial in advancing the church in unity, Pastor Henry said.

Thousands of deacons and deaconesses gathered in churches, districts, auditoriums, and homes to watch the online program that highlighted the commitment of the longest serving deacons and deaconesses in each of the 24 unions of the Inter-American Division (IAD).

Ministering in the church

The two-hour event was part an official launch highlighting the work of the deacons and deaconesses and to reaffirm the certification program that has been running throughout the IAD ever since the General Conference placed the ministry of deacons and deaconesses under the Ministerial Association in each Division territory several years ago. The council event had been planned for more than five years but is not taking new ground to formally train and certify deacons and deaconesses in their ministry in the church.

Deaconesses from the North Colombia Union territory hold up their certificates on Sabbath, Sep. 23, 2023. [Photo: North Colombia Union]
“Deacons and deaconesses have the responsibility, together with church elders, to ‘shepherd’ the congregation each week,” said Rodríguez. Unfortunately, most of their functions have been limited to greeting, assisting in communion services, collecting tithes and offerings, and opening and closing the church, but it goes beyond that, he added.

It’s about deacons and deaconesses tending to the physical and spiritual needs of the church, said Rodríguez. “They are part of an essential group who are to follow Christ’s model of leadership in preaching, healing and educating through discipleship alongside elders and church leaders.”

Shepherding the members

While the church continues to grow and expand, challenges to minister to the members arise as well, said Rodríguez. The IAD has three important aspects for deacons and that is to work closely with church elders, minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the members in the church and by joining visiting members with church elders and pastors.

Pastor Josney Rodríguez, ministerial secretary of the Inter-American Division, addresses deacons and deaconesses on the challenges that growth brings to the church and their crucial part in fulfilling the mission of  expanding the kingdom. [Photo: IAD Screenshot]
“For every 50 church members, there needs to be two deacons and two deaconesses with a church elder to minister to the membership in an organized way and schedule the times and homes to cover,” said Rodríguez. “We are already seeing a more united revival in ministering to the church in Inter-America.”

The council also included resources for the more than 90,000 deacons and deaconesses actively serving in local churches and congregations throughout the IAD.

Cecilia Iglesias, Shepherdess coordinator of the IAD and family ministries associate director, pointed to resources and upcoming certification seminars that will enhance their ministry as deacons and deaconesses working jointly with elders and pastors and their spouses for Inter-America’s “Together in Mission for Families” theme for 2024.

Cecilia Iglesia, Shepherdess coordinator of the Inter-American Division, shares themes of the 10 news seminars that will be available soon as the church in the territory focuses on mission for the families in 2024. [Photo: IAD Screenshot]
United in efforts for families

“We want to work for our own families and for families in the church,” said Iglesias.  “We must be united, working to ensure our loved ones get to heaven, working together to save families.” The year will aim to involve every family in the IAD to be engaged in a missionary project, said Iglesias.  In additional, ten new seminars to strengthen families in the church and the community will be available to deacons and deaconesses in the coming weeks as part of the evangelism strategy launch in 2024, she said.

“We have seen your work and appreciate your commitment,” said Iglesias. “You have served diligently for years, and we are happy to provide continuing education to assist you in doing the great service you have lovingly committed to.”

A group of deacons and deaconesses from the New Haven Adventist Church in Kingston, Jamaica, pose for a photo during the special celebration day across the territory on Sep. 23, 2023. [Photo: East Jamaica Conference]
The program included special greetings and live connections with union leaders honoring the longest serving deacons and deaconesses throughout the IAD.

To view Inter-American Division’s Deacons and Deaconesses Council as follows:

Click HERE for English

Click HERE for Spanish

Click HERE for French