HISTORIC IAD/REGIONAL CONFERENCE SUMMIT LEADERS DEVELOP STRATEGY

BY DANA C. EDMOND

The historic summit meeting between the Inter-American Division (IAD) administrative team and the Regional Conference Presidents convened on March 9, 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to build bridges between two entities that share a common culture as people of color and to talk about ways to collaborate in ministry throughout the territories of Inter-America and North America. This successful summit was covered in the Spring Edition of this magazine.

However, the two entities were interested in making sure that there was follow-up to this meeting; that there was not just good feelings, good food, good fellowship and good photos, but that in the end the summit would yield some good results.

At the close of the summit, the leaders decided to task IAD General Vice President, Dr. Balvin Braham and Elder Dana C. Edmond, Executive Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM), with following up on their plans. The two leaders have remained in contact in the days and weeks after the summit. In collaboration with the IAD Administration and the Regional Conference Leadership, the following initiatives were agreed upon: 1. That the Regional Conferences would collaborate with the IAD in their historical evangelistic initiative “Every Family in the Mission, 2024.”

The goal is for the families of the IAD to identify two individuals—one a family member and the other a neighbor, co-worker, or friend, etc.—whom they wish to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ. The IAD will develop a series of family life-orientated Bible studies to give to the identified individuals.

If individual members identifying the Bible study candidates do not feel comfortable giving the Bible studies themselves, they can pass on the names of the Bible study candidates to others and they will follow up with the candidates.

The goal is for 300,000 members out of the 4 million members of the IAD to engage two individuals each in Bible studies in the first part of 2024, for a total of 600,000 Bible studies. Then there will be two-week reaping meetings held across the IAD, with the goal of baptizing at least one-third of those taking the Bible studies. If this goal is reached, 200,000 souls will be added to the kingdom of God.

Each Regional Conference and the ORCM will be asked to provide speakers for the reaping meetings, which will be held in the spring of 2024. ORCM has already committed to providing five speakers for this initiative. The Regional Conferences and the ORCM will pro - vide the transportation to the various evangelistic sites and the host entity will provide housing and meals.

We are excited about this collaboration and pray that it will accrue glory to God and will expand His kingdom.

2. In return, the Regional Conferences will request the services of speakers from the IAD to assist with evangelism in Regional Conferences. The details of that exchange will be worked out in the near future.

3. This year, the Regional Conference leadership will be involved in various leadership conventions and conferences in the IAD.

Dr. Delbert Baker, Research and Development Director for the Regional Conference Retirement Plan, and his wife, Dr. Susan Baker, recently presented at the IAD’s “Invitation to Mission Conference.” Drs. Baker shared their experience in mission service in Kenya and at the end of the program, Dr. Delbert Baker gave the charge to the program participants.

Oakwood University President, Dr. Leslie N. Pollard and Vice President, Dr. Prudence Pollard will present at the IAD Leadership Conference in Miami in July. Also, one of the devotional speakers at this convention will be Elder Dana C. Edmond, from the ORCM.

Keep looking at these pages for continuing coverage of the results from this collaboration between the IAD and the Regional Conferences. We look forward to witnessing what God will do. t

Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), also publisher of Regional Voice magazine, compiled this follow-up report.