Inter-American Pastors Will Be Trained for Community-Based Ministry

Seventh-day Adventist leaders from the Inter-American Division (IAD) and Andrews University (AU) formalized a new partnership on March 31 in Miami, Florida, United States. They signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to strengthen pastoral mentorship and expand community-based ministry across the territory.

The agreement was signed with the support of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Inter-America, and its country directors throughout the territory, who committed to helping implement the initiative at the local level.

Abner De los Santos, IAD president and chair of the IAD ADRA Board, who signed the agreement, said it will help strengthen the training of church leaders and create opportunities to develop initiatives that connect ADRA’s work more closely with the life and mission of the church.

Rubén Ponce, ADRA Inter-America director, addresses ADRA country directors during Inter-American Division advisory meetings moments before the signage on March 31, 2026. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]

A Strategic Shift Toward Sustainable Mission

The partnership centers on a structured mentorship program developed by AU’s Center for Community Change, designed to equip pastors to lead healthier congregations and strengthen community engagement. “This agreement sends a clear message from the Inter-American Division leadership that a transformative mentoring process, based on Christ’s method, is a priority for the church,” said Ignacio Goya, director of the center.

Goya said the initiative is designed to move ministry from theory into practice through a structured mentorship approach. “What Andrews brings is the systematization of a transformation process, combined with academic and professional certification—that helps make Christ’s method a practical reality,” he said.

Abner De los Santos (right) and Ignacio Goya sign the memorandum of understanding on March 31. [Photo: Libna Stevens/IAD]

The mentorship program spans approximately 9 to 24 months and represents an investment of about US$10,000 per participating pastor. The cost is being covered through donors supporting the initiative in partnership with AU, allowing selected pastors across the territory to participate at no cost to their local fields, Goya explained.

Pilot Programs Already Underway

Pilot programs have begun in the North Mexican Union, with 36 pastors already engaged in the mentorship process.

Goya noted that early interest has been strong, with expectations that additional territories will soon join the initiative. “In Puerto Rico alone we anticipate that 20 to 30 pastors could take part in this process, and similar numbers are expected in other regions as the program expands,” he said.

Ignacio Goya addresses pastors during training sessions in January in Navojoa Adventist University in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico. [Photo: Courtesy of Ignacio Goya]

The initiative builds on progress already seen in the North American Division, where hundreds of pastors are currently engaged in the program, with a goal of reaching 1,000 trained pastors by 2028.

Goya said similar growth is possible across Inter-America if the initiative is implemented broadly. “If this is adopted across the territory over the next three to four years, reaching 1,000 pastors in Inter-America is a realistic goal,” he said.

He added that the program is designed to multiply impact, as trained pastors will be equipped to mentor others within their districts and unions. The MOU allows the initiative to be implemented across union territories that choose to participate.

Church leaders participate in roundtable discussions during a mentorship training session in the North Mexican Union earlier this year. [Photo: Courtesy of Ignacio Goya]

Strengthening Retention Through Community Engagement

Rubén Ponce, ADRA Inter-America director, said the initiative aims to strengthen the link between evangelism and sustained church engagement. “We know that community service is one of the most effective ways not only to reach people but to keep them connected,” Ponce said.

He noted that while the church has been effective in outreach, sustaining long-term engagement remains an important opportunity. “We have developed strong methods for reaching people, and we are enhancing how we keep them engaged in the life of the church. This initiative supports that effort,” he said.

Equipping Leaders for Wholistic Ministry

The mentorship program focuses primarily on local pastors, addressing their personal, spiritual, and leadership development as a foundation for broader church growth. “This is a structured mentoring process focused on local pastors, helping them strengthen their personal, family, and ministry life so they can lead healthier, more effective churches,” Goya said.

Ignacio Goya (center) stands with local pastors during a special training session in January 2026. [Photo: Courtesy of Ignacio Goya]

He emphasized that the approach encourages a shift toward transformational ministry. “We have often applied Christ’s method in a transactional way, but when it becomes truly transformational—when we serve out of genuine love and connect with people in real ways—lasting growth happens,” he said.

Strengthening the Church Through Community Engagement

ADRA’s role is to help embed service into the life of the church, ensuring it becomes part of its identity rather than just an activity, Ponce said.

Pastors pray together during a training session focused on strengthening community outreach programs in their local congregations. [Photo: Courtesy of Ignacio Goya]

He emphasized that strong leadership will be critical to the program’s success. “At the local level much depends on the leadership and vision of the pastor. When that leadership is aligned with community service, the church becomes more engaged and effective,” he added.

Looking Ahead

Leaders expressed confidence that the initiative will have a significant impact across the IAD as it expands in the coming months. “When we bring this know-how to Inter-America and equip leaders at every level, we will see a significant expansion of the gospel—because the passion for mission is already there,” Goya said.

Leaders and pastors pose for a group photo during a special training session on pastoral mentorship and community outreach held at Navojoa Adventist University in Sonora, Mexico, in January 2026. [Photo: Courtesy of Ignacio Goya]

He described the agreement as both timely and providential. “This reflects a shared conviction that this is the right time and the right direction for the church,” he said.

De los Santos added that the initiative reflects the church’s broader strategic focus on unity in service, strengthening collaboration between ADRA and the church to better serve communities and advance mission across the territory.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.