In the Dominican Republic, a street is named after Adventist Church co-founder Ellen G. White

Seventh-day Adventist Church President Ted N. C. Wilson unveils the new sign, officially changing the name of 7th Street in La Romana, Dominican Republic, to Ellen G. White Street, or “Eleana G. de White” in Spanish, on Jan. 15, 2015. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD

January 16, 2015 | La Romana, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens/IAD/ANN

The city of La Romana in southeast Dominican Republic yesterday declared it will rename one of its streets after Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Municipal Mayor of La Romana Maritza Suero poses with Adventist President Ted N.C. Wilson after declaring him a distinguished visitor of the city.

The announcement came during a special ceremony held at La Romana’s municipal building. In attendance were the mayor, Maritza Suero, city officials, and Seventh-day Adventist world church President Ted N. C. Wilson.

“Words are not enough to greet such high personalities of the Christian world here today to this city of La Romana which we have declared it as God’s city,” said Suero, as she welcomed top Adventist leaders from around the world, local leaders and Church members.

“It is a great joy to recognize Ted Wilson as a distinguished visitor because we know he is a man who has followed the footsteps of Jesus of taking the goodness of salvation to a world which needs much of God,” added Suero, who overseas a municipal district of more than 127,000 people.

Wilson thanked municipal leaders for the gesture, their endeavors in promoting religious freedom and the efforts to commemorate the work of Ellen G. White by naming a street after her.

Councilman Wanchy Medina the declaration article of the new street named after Elena G. de White.

“This reminds us of our history and how God has led us as the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” Wilson said as he thanked the mayor on behalf of world church leaders. Wilson and other Church leaders are in the area this week to attend the President’s Executive Advisory planning meetings for the start of the year.

“We believe Ellen G. White received visions from God not to bring honor to herself but to point people to the Bible and the God of heaven,” Wilson added. “Her writings on health, family, the publishing work, relationships with people, religious subjects, biblical studies, and education are instructions for us. That’s why Seventh-day Adventist are law abiding citizens because they believe following counsel from heaven.”

IAD President Israel Leito (second from the right) thanks Mayor Suero council officials for upholding religious freedom laws and assured her that she will find the best citizens in Adventist members.

Formerly 7th Street, Elena G. de White Street is located in the Villa Alacrán community and connects two neighboring communities. District Councilman Wanchy Medina was credited for the idea of renaming the street.

Medina, who grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist, was inspired to recognize Ellen G. White because she was an authority who has made a significant contribution to the world in health and many different subjects, he said. The street is one block from the 60-member La Fe de Villa Alacran Adventist Church.

G.T. Ng, secretary of the Adventist world church and chair of the White Estate Board of Trustees, said this is the first time a street has been named after Ellen G. White. “This comes on the 100th anniversary of Mrs. White death,” he noted.

Israel Leito, president of the Church in Inter-America, thanked Mayor Suero and her council officials for upholding religious freedom laws and assured her that she will find the best citizens in Adventist members.

“Even though you have the best citizens in the city, you will find our Church members to be law-abiding people of peace, respectful of government and people who can be depended upon for any good work,” Leito said. “We are here to serve you.”

Pastor Cesario Acevedo, president of the church in the Dominican Republic presenting plaque to Mayor Suero on behalf of the 300,000-member Adventist Church on the island.

As the ceremony was ending, the chair of the Municipal Council made a surprise announcement that the city is donating a plot of land in the west part of the city for a church. The 500-square-meter property, valued at more than 100,000 US dollars, is located in an upper middle-class area. The announcement was greeted with enthusiastic applause, as there is currently no Adventist presence in that area, according to local Church leaders.

Cesario Acevedo, president of the Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic, presented a plaque to Mayor Suero on behalf of the Church and delivered a set of Ellen G. White books to her and her entire staff.

“This event means so much to our members here in the Dominican Republic,” Acevedo said. “Our membership respects and appreciates greatly the ministry of Ellen G. White. Our members continue to benefit from her instruction, and this street sign will point to the gems found in her writings.”

To view photos of the event, click HERE