Ivelisse Herrera (center), new treasurer of the Inter-American Division  is congratulated by church leaders after being voted in by the church’s Executive Committee during a special meeting held on Dec. 5, 2022, in Miami, Florida, United States. Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer of the IAD for more than 22 years recently announced his retirement as of Jan. 1, 2023.  Herrera  becomes the first woman to hold the division treasurer position across the territory.  [Photo: Keila Trejo/IAD]

Ivelisse Herrera, experienced in the field of finances, will replace Filiberto Verduzco.

December 6, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

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 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 Dec. 5, 2022, to accept the letter request for retirement of Pastor Filiberto Verduzco who has been serving as IAD treasurer for more than 22 years.

Top IAD administrators Pastor Elie Henry (center), president, smiles big next to Pastors Leonard Johnson (left), executive secretary, and Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer, after applause was heard after the nominating report came with the nomination of Ivelisse Herrera as IAD treasurer. [Photo: Wilmer Barboza/IAD]
“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 Dec. 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.

More than 75 church leaders of the Inter-American Division Executive Committee traveled to Miami for the special meeting while dozens of institution and lay representatives joined online. [Photo: Wilmer Barboza/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.”

Paul Douglas, treasurer of the Adventist Church, applauded the IAD administration for the important and historic decision and expressed his full support and that of his team as the church moves forward in mission. Douglas said he would take the recommendation of Herrera to the General Conference Committee for final approval on Dec. 8, 2022. [Photo: Wilmer Barboza/IAD]
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 regional divisions.

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

Herrera’s years of service in the IAD Office spans more than 17 years. Prior to her appointment as under treasurer, she served as associate treasurer, and an accountant in the IAD Office 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.

Paul Douglas, treasurer of the Adventist Chruch, prays for Ivelisse Herrera, her husband and her ministry as administrators and executive committee members join them.  [Photo: Keila Trejo/IAD]
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 take the new assignment with respect and humility.  “I accept that you considered me for this position in recognition to 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 in the day-to-day operations of the financial office.

Ivelisse Herrera, who has served in the IAD Office for more than 17 years, speaks to the executive committee and vows to continue the legacy of Filiberto Verduzco, in continuing to maintain a solid, stable, financial system with God’s help and the treasury team. [Photo: Wilmer Barboza/IAD]
“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.

Ivelisse Herrera and her husband Pastor Roberto smile as church administrators applaud her dedication and commitment before committee members vote her in as IAD treasurer. [Photo: Wilmer Barboza/IAD]
Mrs. Herrera is married to Pastor Roberto Herrera, who is stewardship director of the IAD. The couple have two adult children.

To view a photo album of Inter-America’s Executive Committee Meetings on Dec. 5, 2022, Click HERE