By Josie Dalton
Seventy, Brazil
Leadership from the Central and South American Apostolic Field gathered recently in Honduras for ministerial training at La Buena Fe retreat center.
Participants focused on the story from many years ago of an event between Jerusalem and Jericho, where a Samaritan man helped a Jew. It left us asking, “Are we courageous enough to help our neighbor, and are we prepared to do what is right?”
Coming from so many countries and cultures, participants found that the theme, “Seamos Valientes,” “We are Courageous,” provided a sacred community experience.
Half of the attendees were young adults who had a passion for church growth. We often think of church meeting attendees as seniors who have free time for travel. But this was a time of sacrifice and growth for the Central and South American fields. These young people took time off work, away from family, to immerse in the training.
Leadership from the Central and South American Apostolic Field gathered recently in Honduras for ministerial training at La Buena Fe retreat center.
Classes included “The Way to Follow” with Humberto Rosario, president of seventy; “The Importance of Data and Evaluations” with Antonio Márquez; “Self-Esteem,” “How to Face Challenges in our Ministry,” and “The Importance of Working as a Team” with Pedronel González Rodríguez, a mental-health specialist in Honduras; and “Performing the Sacraments” and “Reforestation and Combating the Climate Emergency” with Apostle Carlos Mejía.
Apostle Carlos Mejía’s sessions explained the sacraments and how to perform them online. While many attendees had performed multiple sacraments regularly for years, online presentation was new.
Feedback from leadership enabled those performing and those receiving the sacraments to be comfortable and prepared. Because many participants were young adults, the profound sense of pastoral care in this training will shape lives for a long time.
“As we move more and more into the online experiences, it is important that we do everything with the same care of regular worship,” Apostle Carlos Mejía said. “It must be clear that this is a spiritual experience, and we must be well prepared to allow that Spirit to be present.”
Feedback from leadership enabled those performing and those receiving the sacraments to be comfortable and prepared. Because many participants were young adults, the profound sense of pastoral care in this training will shape lives for a long time.
Pedronel González Rodríguez led professional group leadership training. He emphasized teamwork and the worth of each team member, especially as ministers. We learned ways that teams struggle and grow and how flexibility in ministry can be a powerful tool.
Class schedules were intense because the majority of attendees were volunteer ministers and could take only a few days off work. Worship and devotions started at 7:00 a.m., and classes ended at 9:00 p.m. each day. Each part of the field led worship and shared music, so each day had something special. Songs were sung in Spanish, Portuguese, and Quechua.
The seventy gathered with Quorum President Humberto Rosario of the Dominican Republic for sharing and prayer. He said, “It is amazing how we can be from so many different countries and still have such deep connections in our passion to share Jesus with others.”
This was evident as prayers for our church and one another poured out.
It is amazing how we can be from so many different countries and still have such deep connections in our passion to share Jesus with others.
Teams were created, and on a Thursday evening participants went to congregations to worship all over Honduras. Carolina Copa from Bolivia gave a sermon about “Growth with God” and how we all need love and care to grow. She shared that “the church and Jesus Christ are the places that we can find that love.” Her words encompassed what it means to be part of Community of Christ, “a church that allows for growth, renewal, and a good place to put down strong roots.”
Saturday afternoon, in response to the church’s desire to help with the climate emergency, new trees were planted along La Buena Fe’s grounds. The act provided a sense of giving new life and making a difference.
The last evening of worship was filled by prayers of blessing for one another, our field, our church, and our world. Communion was shared, and special blessings were offered for President Steve Veazey and his family.
I hope and pray this kind of event will continue to happen for the church in all places. We need to come together to continue learning and striving to be the best ministers and leaders we can be.
The gathering was made possible thanks to your generosity through contributions to Worldwide and Local Mission Tithes. Many people, leadership, and disciples throughout the world are being prepared and equipped to fulfill their call to carry out the mission of Christ, wherever they go.