Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders voted to recommend Ivelisse Herrera as treasurer of the Inter-American Division (IAD) during a special executive committee meeting held yesterday in Miami, Florida, United States. Herrera becomes the first woman to ever hold such an administrative position in the 100 years since the division was officially organized in 1922.

Herrera, who was serving as under treasurer, was nominated and voted in after more than 75 executive committee members voted on December 5, 2022, to accept the letter request for the retirement of Pastor Filiberto Verduzco, who has been serving as IAD treasurer for more than 22 years.

“Pastor Verduzco has been working with the idea of transitioning into spending more time with his wife Alma this year, and after the General Conference Session, our year-end meetings, the moment came when he felt it was time to end his church service this year and start retirement as of January 1, 2023,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the church in Inter-America. The meeting was rushed to gather executive committee members ahead of the General Conference Executive Committee that will meet early on December 8, explained Pastor Henry.

After the 42-member nominating committee returned from meeting separately for nearly an hour, applause filled the room as Ivelisse Herrera’s name was presented to be the chief financial officer of the IAD.

“By your applause, I can tell all of you are in agreement,” said Pastor Henry.

A Historic Day

“This is an important day, a historic day,” said Paul Douglas, treasurer of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, as he addressed the committee. “I am so delighted and applaud the administration. I will be delighted to carry this recommendation with me to the General Conference Committee on Thursday at 7:00 a.m.” Douglas said it is an important day for God’s work in the division as the church moves forward together. “The IAD will continue to go further and faster as we await God’s soon return.”

“We are on the same team, and I will always be there for you,” said Douglas as he addressed Herrera. “If you ever doubt your ability to do God’s work, look to James 1:5: If you lack wisdom, ask for it, and He will graciously give to you.”

Once the General Conference Committee formally accepts the recommendation, Herrera will become the only woman to currently hold the treasury administrative position among the 13 world church divisions.

“You have already been doing the work extraordinarily well, and I am sure your part in the administrative team will go extraordinarily well. You will add so much more and do better than me,” said Verduzco, as he publicly thanked Herrera for her loyalty, dedication, and committed service.

Herrera’s years of service in the IAD office span more than 17 years. Prior to her appointment as under treasurer, she served as associate treasurer and an accountant in the IAD since 2005. She is a commissioned minister and holds a master’s in business from Montemorelos University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dominican Adventist University.

The New Administrative Dynamic

“The new dynamic is going to be interesting,” said Pastor Henry. “I’m not sure how it’s going to be with a lady among us, but we are looking at the work not because she’s a woman or that she comes from here or there, but we are all doing God’s work, and with God right beside us, we will accomplish great things for the church.”

Herrera thanked the committee and vowed to fulfill the new assignment with respect and humility. “I accept that you considered me for this position in recognition [of] Pastor Verduzco,” she said. “I have been working under the supervision of Pastor Verduzco for 17 years and four months, and he has had a very positive influence in my life. We will work hard to continue your legacy here in the Inter-American Division so that it can continue to be characterized for its solid, stable, financial system.” She thanked Douglas for putting his treasury team at her service in this transition and thanked union administrators and the IAD treasury team for their dedication to the day-to-day operations of the financial office.

“I know that if God has put me in this position, He will walk before me, showing me the way to proceed facing the challenges that come our way,” Herrera said.

Church leaders prayed for Herrera, her family, and her ministry in the new position.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Herrera has more than 33 years of denominational service. She has also served as mission office accountant, conference treasurer, and union trust services director in her home country. She is married to Pastor Roberto Herrera, who is the stewardship director of the IAD. The couple has two adult children.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.