Press Releases

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Receives $1.5 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Support "Misión Next" Initiative for Hispanic Pastors and Congregations

April 11, 2025 | Columbia, Md. | North American Division

The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD) has received a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its National Initiative to Strengthen Hispanic Pastoral Leaders and Congregations. This grant will directly support Misión Next, an innovative initiative designed to enhance the cultural capacity and leadership abilities of first-generation Hispanic pastors and leaders, while also equipping second- and third-generation pastors to better approach ministry within the unique context of North America.

The National Initiative to Strengthen Hispanic Pastoral Leaders and Congregations aims to support Hispanic leaders and their congregations while expanding the capacities of organizations and networks that provide ministry support. The Misión Next initiative focuses on developing cultural competencies, leadership skills, and strategic ministry approaches to strengthen Hispanic Adventist church across North America, including the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the islands of Guam and Micronesia.

The Misión Next initiative targets four key groups to address specific challenges and deliver the following outcomes:

First-generation Latino(a) pastors will enhance their cultural competency, allowing them to adapt their ministry approaches to North American societal norms and bridge generational gaps within their congregations. They will also develop ministry models that engage both recent immigrants and acculturated congregants, leading to greater engagement and retention within their communities.
Second- and third-generation Latino(a) pastors and leaders will develop advanced leadership skills to effectively manage multi-generational and multicultural congregations. They will implement innovative mission strategies that enhance evangelistic outreach and community engagement, while also fostering unity and respect across generational lines within their congregations.
Latino(a) leaders and administrators will develop and communicate a clear missional vision, improving their strategic planning and decision-making abilities to better navigate challenges and seize growth opportunities in ministry.
Next-generation Latino(a) leaders will establish a sustainable leadership pipeline, ensuring the continuity and growth of Hispanic ministry within the church. By inspiring the next generation of leaders to pursue careers in ministry, the church will build a vibrant, mission-driven workforce. Enhanced mentorship opportunities will prepare these leaders to assume roles at various levels, fostering visionary, adaptable, and strategic leadership.

These outcomes will be achieved through a variety of programs, including the development of ministerial and leadership training resources, ongoing synchronous and asynchronous training modules, one-on-one mentorship relationships, networking through annual in-person events, and identifying and attracting NextGen Latino(a) Adventist pastors.

“This initiative will positively impact the ministry and mission of the Adventist Hispanic Church in North America by helping our pastors and leaders to be more relevant, missional, and effective in our North American context, which is the second-largest Hispanic-speaking territory in the world,” said José Cortés Jr., associate Ministerial director of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and Misión Next initiative leader.

The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists is one of 23 organizations nationwide to receive a grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.'s initiative. Other recipients include congregations, denominational agencies, church networks, theological schools, colleges and universities, and parachurch organizations.

For more information about Misión Next, please contact the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Ministerial Association at(443) 391-7182.

About Lilly Endowment Inc

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders ’wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grant making in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate, and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

About the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

The North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serves more than 1.27 million members in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the islands of Guam and Micronesia. The NAD works to support pastors, leaders, and congregations, empowering them to share the message of hope and health in their communities and beyond.

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