News Articles

PELC Hispanic Track: A Christ-Centered Focus for Ministry Leaders

February 13, 2025 | Huntsville, Ala. | Gerson Pancorbo

A Hispanic man speaks in front of a small crowd — Pastor Gustavo Squarzon presents his seminar, "Jesús en un mundo secular” (Jesus in a Secular World), during the Spanish track of the Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council, held December 8-11, 2024, in Huntsville, Alabama. Photo: Priscila Pancorbo

The Pastoral Evangelism Leadership Council (PELC) offers spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship and equips pastors, chaplains, and other ministry leaders for their roles. Established more than 40 years ago by regional conference leaders, PELC is the largest annual gathering of pastors and church leaders in the North American Division (NAD). This year, it took place from December 8 to 11, 2024. While the main English track was held in the newly renovated Oakwood University Church, PELC in Spanish was hosted at the Office for Regional Conference Ministries in Huntsville, Alabama. Planned by the Hispanic caucus, this specialized program provided resources and training for pastors serving Hispanic communities.

A Christ-Centered Program

PELC in Spanish, with the theme "Jesús, Promuévelo / Practícalo / Predícalo " ("Jesus: Promote Him / Practice Him / Preach Him"), focused on empowering pastors to deepen their Christocentric preaching and ministry. Each day began with worship and a devotional led by Minner Labrador, NAD vice president for Multilingual Ministries.

Workshops and plenary sessions emphasized practical and theological tools for ministry, including:

“Jesús es Suficiente” (Jesus is Enough) by Hermes Taveras — A biblical Christology, justification by faith, and perfection.
“Jesús en un Mundo Secular” (Jesus in a Secular World) by Gustavo Squarzon —Relevance and hope for a contemporary society.
“Jesús y las Redes Sociales” (Jesus and Social Media) by Gerson Pancorbo — The art of communicating in the Digital Age and using AI for ministry.
“Jesús y el Espíritu de la Profecía” (Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy) by Manuel Moral — Current and generational challenges with the writings of Ellen G. White.

On Monday afternoon, participants engaged in an in-depth seminar on Christocentric hermeneutics with Elizabeth Talbot, speaker/director and founder of the Jesus 101 Biblical Institute (Jesus101.tv) — an official North American Division media ministry. Talbot’s session emphasized the necessity of presenting Christ as the center of every message, inspiring pastors to preach the gospel with clarity and passion.

Honoring Hispanic Leaders

Eight men stand in front of a room with one holding a plaque. — Pastor Roger Hernández, Ministerial and Evangelism director for the Southern Union, poses with the award he received during PELC's Spanish track, surrounded by members of the Hispanic caucus. Photo: Priscila Pancorbo

For the first time in its history, PELC’s Spanish-language track hosted an awards ceremony recognizing leaders who have significantly contributed to advancing Hispanic ministry within the regional conferences of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Honorees included:

Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University
Jesse Wilson, professor of religion at Oakwood University
Roger Bernard, president of the Central States Conference
Roger Hernández, Ministerial and Evangelism director for the Southern Union
Héctor Ramos, Hispanic Ministries director for the Southwest Region Conference
Efraín Poloche, pastor and evangelism coordinator
José Cortés Jr., associate ministerial director for the NAD

The ceremony not only celebrated their impactful leadership but also underscored the Hispanic caucus's commitment to highlighting the contributions of these individuals.

Hispanic Community

The Hispanic program offered a unique space for pastors to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Sessions by Armando Miranda Jr. (NAD Youth Ministries) and Elvis Diaz (Pacific Press Publishing Association) introduced resources and strategies for engaging younger generations and sharing the gospel through literature.

In his closing remarks, Vanston Archbold, president of the Hispanic caucus, highlighted the importance of unity in ministry, encouraging participants to keep Christ at the forefront of their service.

Moving Forward

PELC’s Spanish track continues to serve as a vital resource for ministry leaders working to share Christ’s message in culturally relevant ways. This year’s focus on Christ-centered ministry provided inspiration and practical tools that attendees are eager to implement in their local communities.

As PELC concluded, leaders expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather, learn, and grow in their shared mission to proclaim Jesus as enough for every need.

— Gerson Pancorbo is the communications director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries and Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

A Man for the Times, a “New” President, and a Formula for Change

For most of the twentieth century the work in North America was led by one of the vice presidents of the General Conference. Then in 1985, with growing missional needs, the North American Division was reformulated once again as one of the 13 divisions of the world church. Charles Edward Bradford (1925-2021) would serve as the first president of this newly reformulated North American Division, beginning in 1985. This is his story — and our story.

Adventist Information Ministry Changes Name to Adventist Connect, Reflecting Expansion into Digital Evangelism

On January 30, 2025, the Adventist Information Ministry board voted to rename the ministry Adventist Connect, reflecting its expansion from an evangelism contact center for media ministries into a hub supporting local churches across North America in digital outreach. This change will be implemented in stages over the coming months.

Transforming the Lives of Stroke Survivors: AdventHealth, Orlando Neurosurgery First in Nation to Perform 50 Vivistim Implant Cases

More patients have been helped by an innovative device for stroke survivors at AdventHealth than any other health system in the country. AdventHealth Orlando is the first hospital to use the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System to help 50 patients. This transformative device, designed to aid stroke survivors in their rehabilitation journey, has shown remarkable success in improving hand and arm function.

“Not on My Watch”: 2024 Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council Motivates Attendees to Emulate Jesus in Troubled Times

“You’re here at PELC 2024 to see Jesus high and lifted up!” said Michelle Mota-Poyser, Northeastern Conference pastor, on night one of the Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council (PELC), held at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, from December 8-11. With the theme “Jesus: Praise Him, Practice Him, Preach Him,” PELC organizers emphasized a focus on Christ and the urgency of spreading the gospel amid political and social turmoil. Jesus was thus central in every message, song, and workshop.

PELC Hispanic Track: A Christ-Centered Focus for Ministry Leaders

The Pastoral Evangelism Leadership Council (PELC) offers spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship and equips pastors, chaplains, and other ministry leaders for their roles. Established more than 40 years ago by regional conference leaders, PELC is the largest annual gathering of pastors and church leaders in the North American Division. This year, it took place from December 8 to 11, 2024. While the main English track was held in the newly renovated Oakwood University Church, PELC in Spanish was hosted at the Office for Regional Conference Ministries in Huntsville, Alabama. Planned by the Hispanic Caucus, this specialized program provided resources and training for pastors serving Hispanic communities.