In Inter-America, church recognizes the work of two outstanding theologians

May 11, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | IAD Staff

IAD Church leaders pose for a picture after awarding Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriguez (third from the left) alongside wife Guivi, the Award of Excellence in Theological and Ministerial Education during a special ceremony for his contribution on May 10, 2015, in Miami, Florida.  Image by Liza Christian/IAD

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America, together with its Inter-American Theological Seminary (IATS), recognized two of its outstanding theologians during a brief award ceremony yesterday, in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriguez, originally from Puerto Rico, who retired five years ago from the church’s Biblical Research Institute at the Adventist World Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, was honored with an Award of Excellence in Theological and Ministerial Education for dedicating decades of his life to ministerial education, contributed to theological reflection, motivated others to generate research of serious study and articulated in-depth but accessible ideas.

“Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriguez has been selected to receive this Award of Excellence for having marked a path for others to follow,” said Dr. Efrain Velazquez, IATS vice president, as he read excerpts from the IATS’ theological journal, Teobiblica in front of the dozens of top church leaders from across the church in Inter-America gathered in Miami for IATS board meetings and executive committee meetings.

Dr. Jaime Castrejón presented the price that is a symbol of the Seminary that emphasizes foundations and proclamation.

Dr. Rodriguez was singled out for his contributions on the study on the theme of the sanctuary, especially during a time when that doctrine was scrutinized worldwide. “Thanks to the questions that he and other scholars came up with and the answers they generated, we have been able to deepen our knowledge of a fundamental doctrine for the comprehension of the scriptures and the plan of salvation,” the article stated about Rodriguez.

In addition, Dr. Rodriguez was able to explain to others outside of the Adventist Church our fundamental beliefs without compromising or varying these.

Dr. Rodriguez was recognized as being one of the pillars of the Adventist Church.

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito thanked Dr. Rodriguez for his role in grounding all of his discussions on theological crisis and administrative issues on the Bible.

Overwhelmed by the expressions of gratitude by church leaders, Dr. Rodríguez confessed that he never expected that his ministry had the effects that were described by so many.

Dr. Jaime Castrejon, IATS president, stands holding his award alongside IATS leaders and IAD administrators after being recognized for his Excellence in Theological and Ministerial Education throughout his years of service to the church in Inter-America, on May 10, 2015, in Miami, Florida. Image courtesy of Efrain Velazquez/IAD

Dr. Rodríguez emphasized his humble beginnings in Puerto Rico and highlighted that “the theology that is not placed at the service of the Church, is meaningless.”

Church leaders also recognized Dr. Jaime Castrejon, IATS President, who was instrumental in organizing the theological seminary back in the 1990s and helping to get it fully accredited in 2011.

Castrejon was granted the Award of Excellence in Theological and Ministerial Education for dedicating decades of his life in ministerialeducation at the institution and Division level, and for his contribution as a benchmark on higher education administration.

“His countless contributions to theological education highlight his position as a pillar for the Inter-American ministerial body,” said Pastor Leito. “The Division thanks you for your decades of ministry and for the legacy you leave in Inter-America.”

Dr. Elie Henry, IAD executive secretary, also thanked Dr. Castrejon in the name of all of the union administrators for his long tenure in the Division and hesitantly accepted his letter of intention to retire.

Castrejon, who is originally from Mexico, has served in the Division office since 1990.

Dr. Castrejon began his work as IAD associate ministerial secretary in 1985 and later moved to head the Ministerial Association at the IAD headquarters until 2000. Castrejón, who was instrumental in spearheading Montemorelos University in North Mexico, also launched the Inter-American Theological Seminary. He led the Seminary for years single-handedly, and initiated efforts to provide accreditation for the its programs.

Castrejon has been a column for the Seminary and his legacy has been foundational, Henry said.