MISSION TO THE CITIES: IMPACTING MIAMI IN 2014

by Allan Machado, Florida Conference Vice President for Spanish-language Ministries
The 21st-century Adventist Church needs to reflect on the reality that we live in a world where more than half of the population resides in urban areas. Every day, approximately 200,000 people leave rural areas to settle in large cities around the world. This means about 70 million people move every year, seeking a better life in large urban centers.
For many years, the Church has tried to define the mission that must be accomplished in these urban areas. Although these large concentrations of people have been regarded as mission fields, in many cases, for some inexplicable reason, the Church has neglected to consider that God has called us to impact these communities of millions.
We must remember that Jesus has called us to bring the message of salvation where people are. Jesus went where the people were. The Word tells us, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36 NKJV)
Jesus’ strategy was simple. Ellen White describes it as follows: “The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow me.'” (Christian Service 119.3) These words define the way in which the Church can impact people everywhere.
The Holy Spirit repeatedly revealed to Ellen White about the urgent need for developing visionary plans to reach the multitudes living in large cities. She said, “The importance of making our way in the great cities is still kept before me. For many years the Lord has been urging upon us this duty, and yet we see but comparatively little accomplished in our great centers of population. …We are far behind in doing the work that should have been done in these long-neglected cities. The work will now be more difficult than it would have been a few years ago. But if we take up the work in the name of the Lord, barriers will be broken down, and decided victories will be ours.” (A Call To Medical Evangelism and Health Education 14.1 – emphasis added)
Undoubtedly, the Lord is calling us to impact urban areas with the message of hope with which God entrusted Adventists. Consider that more than 80% of Florida’s population lives in large cities. With this in mind, pastors from Florida and Southeastern Conferences have joined together in South Florida to perform a great work. The goal is to impact the Greater Miami area. From February 1-8, an extraordinary event will be hosted in the city of Miami that will aim to glorify the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim His glorious plan of salvation in a comprehensive way—treating the health of the body and soul of community residents in Dade and Broward Counties.
This unforgettable week kicks off at Miami International Airport Convention Center at 711 N.W. 72nd Avenue. It begins at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, with a musical worship service, followed by a message from renowned international evangelist Alejandro Bullón.
Resuming at 3:00 p.m., seminars will be available on topics that will answer important questions regarding family, youth, health, and finances, among others. At 5:00 p.m., the audience will enjoy a concert by well-known Christian singer Steve Green, followed by Pastor Bullón with the final message.
On Sunday, February 2, the Miami International Airport Convention Center will open its doors from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for the Total Health Expo 2014. Free of charge to the entire community, this event is sponsored by Florida Conference and Florida Hospital’s CREATION Health, in collaboration with dozens of other health organizations in the city of Miami and the State of Florida.
This evangelistic project includes more than 25 preachers who will come to Miami from across the United States to present messages of faith and trust in God at this special time. At 7:30 p.m. every night, beginning February 2, these evangelists will preach in almost 30 different places in Dade and Broward Counties, lifting Jesus Christ and confirming our faith in Him.
Yes, we truly desire to impact the South Florida community. After all, this is the charge the Lord has entrusted to us. Pray that the Holy Spirit is poured out as we Impact Miami, and pray that many will come to know there is hope because we have a Savior, Christ our Lord.