Going Forward in Unity

Our Lord had a dream and vision for the church of the future, which you can find in His prayer in John 17:20–21:

The Lake Union adopted for this past quinquennium the theme “Together in Mission.” I am thankful that our Multicultural Ministries department and our immigrant and refugee pastors and churches have taken this to heart. We are pleased to report to the constituency that all our events and activities share a common goal: working together to fulfill the Great Commission. Here are some of the initiatives we are honored to report on. 

In 2023 and 2025, Hispanic youth from our five conferences led two Youth Congresses held at Andrews University, popularly known as Conectate. Our featured speakers, such as Pastor Arnaldo Cruz and Yami Bazan, inspired our youth to stay close to God through prayer, Bible study and witnessing. At each of these congresses, the youth not only stayed on campus but also dispersed throughout the neighboring communities to share God’s love through practical service. In addition, we invited their pastors and wives to attend the same weekend and participate in the youth training program Creciendo Juntos, which is also known as Growing Young. The purpose of the training is to apply what they learn when working with youth upon returning to their churches.  

The largest Lake Union Hispanic Women’s Congress took place in 2024 at the Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana, Indiana, with Cesar DeLeon and his wife CarolAnne leading the weekend as our featured speakers. Under the theme Mujeres de Valor, the women received valuable information and encouragement on how to stay close to God and to their families. A special feature of this weekend was the provision of a separate track for teenage girls to address their concerns and challenges.  

We are truly a union of diverse people. So far, we have over 50 immigrant and refugee congregations, including Filipino, Haitian, Korean, Brazilian, Rwandan, Ghanaian, Malawian, Nigerian, Mizo, Zomi and several Eastern European churches. The work among immigrants involved the development of annual Mizo and Haitian camp meetings and the planting of new churches, such as the Living Hope Seventh-day Adventist church, which is largely composed of Ghanaian members. Work among immigrants and refugees is increasing across all nine unions, to the point that the North American Division has arranged for each union to establish a committee with representation from the five conferences to hear the churches’ needs and, as necessary, provide funding to address them. 

It has been ten years since our department took on the challenge of encouraging dialogue and partnership among people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds for the sake of evangelism. Following the Indianapolis Pathways to Health Mega Clinic, Lake Union is pleased to support churches that partner with AMEN (Adventist Medical Evangelism Network) to provide guidance and direction for dental and vision care in their communities.  

In March 2024, pastors and churches in the Lake Region and Michigan came together to provide a day of free dental, vision and medical care for the medically underserved in Detroit. Over 150 volunteers from churches served more than 200 people from various ethnic backgrounds.  

In that same year, the Hispanic, Haitian, Mizo, African American, and predominantly Caucasian churches in Indianapolis partnered with the Lake Region and Indiana conferences, and the Lake Union. More than 200 volunteers from all the churches served that day, and more than 340 people received treatment.  

In August 2025, a third dental clinic was held in Troy, Michigan, serving over 280 people. We hope this unique service will expand and continue to give people the opportunity to learn about our church and be part of our fellowship. 

The Lake Union is convinced that true unity in ministry cannot happen without prayer. Before each clinic, churches from the state and regional conferences committed to praying together across the various churches for several months. In addition, we concluded our prayer journey with a United Prayer conference on the Sabbath prior to the clinic. People from diverse backgrounds and churches came together to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in both the volunteers and the patients who would be coming.  

Almost all our immigrant churches participated in the Pentecost 2025 initiative. Praise God that in 2025, Hispanic evangelism yielded over 600 baptisms and professions of faith, the highest number of accessions in over 20 years. We are thankful for the caravan meetings held in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Berrien Springs, featuring Pastor Alejandro Bullon, with attendance almost standing-room-only, with many people making decisions for Christ. 

In 2025, the Multicultural Ministries Department launched the Nurturing Children Through 

Worship and Prayer initiative as a strategic investment in the spiritual formation of children 

across the Lake Union. Focused on strengthening intergenerational worship and cultivating a vibrant culture of prayer, the initiative increases meaningful participation and fosters a strong sense of belonging among children in multicultural, refugee and Hispanic congregations. 

Funded by a $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., this five-year initiative (2026–2030) is implemented in partnership with the children’s ministries departments of the five conferences and local church leaders. Originally designed for 10 pilot congregations and expanded to 20 through shared union and conference support, the initiative reflects a united commitment to equip leaders, empower families, and intentionally invest in the next generation across our diverse territory. 

“From one generation to another, they shall declare Your mighty works” (Psalm 145:4). We move forward in faith, trusting that as we nurture our children today, God is raising leaders who will proclaim His faithfulness for generations to come. 

Our Lake Union ASI fellowship has long been an invaluable part of the Lake Union. Our chapter emphasizes the need for our lay members to partner with the church to support outreach initiatives. Every spring, we hold our union retreat to hear stories of God’s blessing and ministry and to identify needs so we can support the work that needs to be done. In the past few years, we have been especially encouraging young entrepreneurs to join us and use their talents and abilities for God. We are also committed to raising funds for specific ministry projects that advance our mission.  

Understanding the times we are living in, we believe that God is calling our union to set the example to demonstrate what true unity is all about. We close with this statement from the pen of inspiration: “The people of God will draw together, and present to the enemy a united front…. The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. (Evangelism, 693.2) 

Carmelo Mercado is general vice president for the Lake Union Conference. 

Magaly Torres – assistant director of multicultural ministries 

Carmen Avila – administrative assistant