“Pray that I will always hear God’s voice and no others,” Dr. Ella Simmons, the first woman vice president to the Seventh-day Adventist world church, asked church members at a press conference today. “Pray that I will always reflect and do the will of God.”

Simmons said that although the request may sound noble, it was necessary as she understood that her new position would at times be very difficult. She was elected in a historic vote July 3 during the 58th business meetings of the Adventist world church in St. Louis, Missouri.

Simmons, 57, is a mother and grandmother and spent the past year traveling after leaving her post as the second in command at the Adventist-operated La Sierra University in Riverside, California.

“I love my children, I love my grandchildren. I love my family. I want to spend all my time with them,” she said. However, she said God called her out of her comfort zone and she had no choice but to accept.

Simmons said although Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the world church, has not apprised all the vice presidents of their duties, she expected her new assignment to incorporate her extensive background in education. 

Prior to her term at La Sierra as provost and vice president, Simmons served in other leadership positions, including vice president for academic affairs at Oakwood College in Alabama, associate dean at the University of Louisville, Kentucky School of Education, and chair of the Department of Education in the College of Applied Sciences at Kentucky State University. She received her doctorate in education from the University of Louisville and a masters degree from Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

With her background working in both public school and Adventist schools, Simmons has a unique view of Adventist education.

“My husband and I see education as a mission, a call from God,” she said. “While I firmly believe in the in Adventist education ... the reality is there are large numbers of Adventist students who are outside that arena.” She added that she hopes to focus on the “broader goal of salvation for all our children.”

In response to a question about her paving the way and being a role model to other women around the world, she agreed that she was comfortable and happy in accepting the role. She acknowledged that her first assignment this morning was to spend time with women having separate meetings at the world church’s business session. 

“Women will look at me because of the position. I was raised as a little girl to reach out and reach back and reach over,” said Simmons. A Louisville, Kentucky native, she also spoke of being one of the first African-American children to attend newly desegregated schools in the United States.

“The church as an organization cannot be efficient until it allows all people to contribute in ways God called them to contribute. I think the church is taking a step in the right direction,” she said.

While a divinity degree and church ordination are often precursors to promotion in the church, Simmons said that her election did not mean the church will change it’s stance against ordaining women pastors.

“I do not feel that I have to be ordained to do the Lord’s work.” She added that she is not a pastor but believes that she is a minister. “I’ve always been a minister. I think pastoring is a unique work and while I have been prepared to nurture, to teach, I am not prepared to pastor.”