A veteran United States diplomat and Seventh-day Adventist Church member is the new ambassador to the Republic of Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northeastern coast of South America.

John R. Nay, who holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in history from Adventist-owned Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, was sworn in August 13 by Nancy J. Powell, director general of the Foreign Service. The ceremony took place at the U.S. Department of State headquarters, with Suriname's ambassador to the U.S. Jacques R. Cross also in attendance.

"I have drawn on my experiences to encourage people to see that working together helps make progress possible," Nay said after the swearing in. "While one cannot immediately change the legacy of centuries, a commitment to human rights and decency and working together by all sectors of society without regard to ethnicity or religion can help overcome legacies of the past."

He said the knowledge he gained representing the U.S. in countries such as India, South Africa, Taiwan and Singapore will help shape his approach to his assignment in Suriname.

In addition to the influence of his Adventist education, Nay credits his time as a missionary with influencing his career choices.

"My student missionary experience played a significant part in my joining the Foreign Service by helping to stimulate my interest in international affairs and the world," Nay said following the ceremony. "It was helpful to have a chance to see from abroad how the United States is perceived."

Nay said he is honored by the appointment and is looking forward to working with the government and people of Suriname.

"I am honored to be able to formally use the title 'ambassador,' but we must all keep in mind that we are all ambassadors -- for our countries, for our families, for our ideals, and for our faiths," Nay said. "As my wife and I represent the United States in Suriname, we will seek to do just that."

About 48 percent of Suriname's 487,000 people are Christians, with Protestants holding the largest share at 25 percent. An estimated 27 percent of Surinamese are Hindu and about 20 percent are Muslim. The Adventist Church organized in Suriname in 1945 and today has more than 3,600 church members worshiping in 17 congregations.