Miami, Florida, United States….[Libna Stevens/IAD]
In a special ceremony on March 11, church leaders from the Inter-American Division honored four individuals who have dedicated nearly 200 years of combined service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Sergio Moctezuma, Pastor Ramon H. Maury, Beulah A. Peterson and Martha Grassel received a standing ovation from hundreds of leaders, pastors and laypeople in appreciation of their commitment to the church in Inter-America.
The recognition ceremony was organized to take place during the Division’s Prayer and Leadership Conference, said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, so that they could be honored in the presence of the IAD’s church leadership.
Pastor Moctezuma, accompanied by his wife, was honored as he retired with more than 53 years of service in the pioneer work of the laity and Sabbath School department in the division territory.
Pastor Maury, also accompanied by his wife, was also honored for his more than 40 years of service as a teacher, union president and his contribution of 20 of those years as IAD treasurer.
Beulah A. Peterson was also honored for serving more than 41 years in the treasury department as associate treasurer and undertreasurer of the IAD. She is planning to retire this summer.
Martha Grassel, who has the most years of service ever in the IAD headquarter office, was honored for her 57 years of dedicated work as the administrative assistant to the treasurer in charge of the inter-union employees. She is planning to retire this summer, as well.
Fifteen Union presidents, representing the 15 regions of the Inter-American Division territory, expressed one by one their appreciation for their committed service and brought gifts including, plaques, cruise trips, vacation packages and monetary gifts.
