GENERAL SECRETARY

The General Secretariat authorizes credentials, preserves convention minutes, preserves ministerial files, sends correspondence, and administers the Real Estate assets of the Apostolic Assembly. In this work, I particularly want to recognize and thank my immediate predecessors: Bishop Vice President Joseph Rodríguez and Bishop President Felipe Salazar. Three principles I have kept in leadership: The Lordship of Christ, the authority of the Bible, and the need to serve our pastors: our strategic partners in building the Kingdom. Keeping with these three principles and President Salazar’s vision, I outline the following goals for the General Secretariat in the next four years.

1. INFORMATION FOR GROWTH.

1.The President has outlined a vision of growth. To measure growth, we need reliable data. The President and I have sent a letter and the 2022 census to all our pastors with this goal in mind, and we are working on ways to identify what needs to be measured for the growth of each local church.

I am also pleased to report the following brethren attendance figures reported by the 2022 General Convention Committee:

Thursday, November 24: 5,000

Friday, November 25: 7,500

Saturday, November 26: 7,000

2. DIGITAL FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES.

We have a need to increase the accessibility of our resources, forms, and questionnaires. We are already working on a way for pastors and ministers to complete their forms and questionnaires online.

3. PRESERVING OUR PAST.

In 2013 we established the Historical Archives of the Apostolic Assembly. Paired with the resources of the General Secretariat, we want to recover as many convention minutes as possible, both of the general church and of our districts.

4.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

From 2015 to 2018, I was the editor of 276 eblasts. This is because communication is key in any corporation, much more so in the Body of Christ. We want to maintain and increase communication from the General Board to our bishops, missionaries, elders, and pastors.

THREE PRINCIPLES I HAVE KEPT IN LEADERSHIP: THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST, THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE, AND THE NEED TO SERVE OUR PASTORS: OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.

5. SENDING OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

We shall maintain bishops and pastors informed of all agreements made at conventions, General Board Meetings, Joint Bishops’ Meetings, and Episcopal Body Meetings that are relevant to the general church.

6. INSURING EVERY CHURCH.

The Secretariat counsels on various insurance matters and assists districts with their workers’ compensation claims. We will work toward every church having the best coverage for their needs.

7. WORKING WITH OUR DISTRICT SECRETARIES.

Apostolic Assembly has twenty-six district secretaries and five regional secretaries. We want to work with each of them and are preparing to host a seminar to provide resources and training on Monday, February 20, 2023.

8. REAL ESTATE MATTERS.

As General Secretary, I also direct the Real Estate Department of our Apostolic Assembly. We want every church to acquire the installations that best fit their needs. The department is here to join you in acquiring facilities for your congregation. Regarding Real Estate, I inform pastors of the following General Board Agreements: a. In our December 2022 meeting, we agreed to ask all pastors to be aware of the increase in the interest rate of current Real Estate loans in the next couple of months. b. The General Board also agreed to recommend that pastors, if possible, postpone the acquisition of new loans for the first six months of the year until we have a clearer panorama of the economy.

Blessings in Christ!

Bishop Ismael Martín del Campo, General Secretary