On Sabbath, Sept. 6, more than 150 local church leaders and family members from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts gathered at the Hudson church in Massachusetts to celebrate the first graduation ceremony of the Southern New England Conference (SNEC) Discipleship Institute.
After an intense study journey over several months, a total of 60 disciples, some of them in absentia, received their certification in Church Leadership—an educational unit made up of seven different topics of ecclesiastical leadership: The Vision and Mission of the Church, The Call and Character of the Christian Leader, Transformational Leadership Model, Church Management and Administration, Discipleship and Multiplication, Ethics in Counseling and Conflict Resolution, and The Power of Prayer and The Holy Spirit.
The purpose of the certification, which was also available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, was to train, motivate, and empower the local church leaders. More than 230 students have participated so far in the Discipleship Institute, many of whom will celebrate their graduation in the coming months.
Robert Folkenberg, Jr., president of the Southern New England Conference, presented the keynote message for the graduates. The event featured excellent musical participation by the vocal trio, The Reason, among other musicians, under the coordination of Norys Rodriguez.
Many thanks to all who made the development of this first segment of the SNEC Discipleship Institute, the successful conclusion of this training journey, and the graduation program possible.
To God be the glory! Forward and upward, with our eyes fixed on Jesus!
Visit the Discipleship Institute at https://discipleship.sneconline.org for more information.
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Victor Perez is SNEC Discipleship Institute coordinator and pastor of the Hudson and El Faro Spanish churches.
