Classis de las Naciones

The Classis de las Naciones (Classis of the Nations) is an affiliation of congregations in the Mid-Americas. We are member churches of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), a historic Christian denomination belonging to the worldwide family of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches.

The Reformed Church in America is one of North America's oldest continuous protestant denominations, and our shared task is to equip congregations for ministry. Learn more about the RCA and its history.

Announcing Rev. Dr. Fredy Aviles as the new Executive Leader of the Classis de las Naciones within the Reformed Church in America (RCA).

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  • Executive Leader | Pastor | Church Planter | Coach | Broadcaster

    Dr. Aviles brings more than three decades of pastoral, organizational, and leadership experience to this role. Since 2020, he has faithfully served the Classis as part of the Executive Team, leading the way in leadership development and coaching emerging leaders across diverse communities. Now, as Executive Leader, he continues that work with a broader vision to unify, equip, and mobilize churches and pastors in their shared mission.

    A seasoned church planter and mentor, he is the founding pastor of Centro De Vida RCA in West Palm Beach, FL, and the founder of WPBE Exito 98.3 FM, a Spanish-language Christian radio station reaching communities throughout South Florida. He also established Leadership Development University, training bilingual leaders for ministry and mission.

    Rev. Dr. Aviles holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy in Apologetics and Theology, along with degrees in religious education and business. Fluent in both Spanish and English, his cross-cultural ministry experience and relational leadership style have earned him trust and influence across the RCA.

    Please join us in celebrating and praying for Rev. Dr. Fredy Aviles as he steps into this strategic new role—serving the churches of the Classis de las Naciones with humility, wisdom, and gospel-centered vision.

Regional Synod of Mid-America Executive Staff Change

As we continue to mourn the passing of Chad Farrand, former Synod Executive of Mid-America, this email provides an update on the Regional Synod of Mid-America.

The Annual meeting of the Regional Synod was held on May 6, 2025, with Elder and Minister delegates. Due to Chad Farrand's death and Chad Schuitema's resignation as Stated Clerk, the executive committee, confirmed by the entire body, has made the following changes to the Regional Synod's staff: Rev. Jewel Willis Thomas is Stated Clerk, and Elder Lionel Rodgers is Treasurer.

As you know, the Reformed Church in America is preparing for restructuring. Our region is also preparing for these changes and will need visionary and trained leadership to navigate them. The Regional Synod of Mid-America Assembly has responded to these changes by selecting a new Synod Executive.

We ask you to join us in welcoming our new Synod Executive, Rev. Edie Lenz. Rev. Lenz will focus on helping the Classes navigate restructuring.

Meet our new Synod Executive

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Synod Executive with dark brown hair and a emerald green shirt smiling against a orange brick wall
  • Rev. Dr. Edie Lenz has served within the bounds of the Synod of Mid-America throughout her career. Arriving in Chicago Classis in 2002, Edie was installed as the pastor for Church of the Good News, serving faithfully even through the church's closure in 2008. Edie then moved to Illinois Classis and served First Reformed Church of Fulton, IL, for over a decade. During her tenure, their sister church, Trinity Reformed, closed its doors and merged with First Reformed.

    In 2019, Edie returned to the Chicagoland area and served as the pastor of Hickory Hills Presbyterian Church and a member of Chicago Classis until the end of June.

    Throughout her time in MidAmerica, Edie has served on the Executive Team of the regional Synod three different times. She has served as Vice President, President, and Past President of that same body. Edie has served on the Revitalization Teams of Chicago Classis and Illinois Classis and trained in three different revitalization processes: NCD, New Beginnings, and Churches Learning Change (formerly Ridder Church Renewal). Edie currently serves as the Coordinator for Churches Learning Change and as a coach for the Leader’s Journey. In recent months, Edie has completed her D.Min in Adaptive Change, focusing on congregational mourning as a tool to enable congregations to move into the future.

    Edie has married Brian, a development chemist, for 24 years. They have one son, Caleb, who will be a freshman at Western Michigan University in the fall. As a family, they are relocating to southern Indiana near Louisville for Brian’s work. Edie will serve as the Synod Executive for Mid-America Synod beginning in July and will continue working with Churches Learning Change and The Leader’s Journey.

    Edie can be reached via email at revedielenz@gmail.com or by phone at 708-469-9931.

We are a movement of Reformed Churches based in central Florida focused on making disciples, preaching the Gospel, and planting churches.

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