The Portuguese Union, in strategic partnership with the Lay Adventist Seminar (SAL), has launched a comprehensive leadership training program dedicated to family ministries. This initiative integrates the curriculum of the General Conference Family Ministries Leadership Certification Program with the logistical framework of SAL—an institute established in 2005 by the Ministries Hispanic Institute at Andrews University and active within the Portuguese Union since 2019.
Program Structure and Participation
The current cohort consists of 35 participants representing nearly as many local congregations. The academic calendar runs from February through November, featuring monthly sessions of 4.5 hours each. To balance accessibility with community building, the program utilizes a hybrid instructional model:
In-person sessions: Conducted during the inaugural and concluding modules.
Virtual sessions: Conducted via Zoom for all intervening monthly meetings.
Curriculum and Objectives
The primary objective of this training is to equip lay members with the theoretical knowledge and practical tools necessary to minister effectively to families and individuals. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of specialized topics, including:
Theological Foundations: Biblical perspectives on family, and the family as a center for evangelism.
Societal & Developmental Dynamics: Family dynamics, human growth, sexuality, and the intersection of family and society.
Practical Management: Communication skills, parent education, resource management, and professional ethics.
Specialized Ministry: Ministering to singles, the elderly, and persons with disabilities; men’s ministries; and intergenerational worship.
Diagnostic Tools: An introduction to the Prepare/Enrich assessment and counseling tool.
Faculty and Methodology
Instruction is provided by a diverse faculty of pastors, lay professionals, and Union departmental leaders. Notably, the program’s inaugural session on the biblical foundations of the family was led by Pastor Roberto Iannò, Family Ministries leader for the Inter-European Division (EUD).
Beyond classroom attendance, the certification requires rigorous independent study and the completion of a field project. Each student must design and implement an initiative in their local church—ranging from preaching and teaching to counseling or innovative relationship-building workshops—tailored to the specific needs of their community.
Vision for the Future
Through this educational endeavor, the Portuguese Union aims to expand its field team of trained leaders. By fostering healthy family relations and reconnecting individuals with spiritual foundations, the program seeks to alleviate human suffering and promote relational wellbeing across the region.
