IATS grants President Emeritus title to Jaime Castrejon
IAD Vice President Tomas Torres (second from left) praises the work of Dr. Jaime Castrejón (far right) before he is decorated with the golden cord and granted the President Emeritus title on behalf of the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary. IAD Vice President Leon B. Wellington (left) stands by with IATS President Efrain Velazquez during a short ceremony at Montemorelos University, in North Mexico, July 9, 2016. Images by Montemorelos University.
July 14, 2016 | Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico | Libna Stevens/IAD
The Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary Board named Dr. Jaime Castrejon as its President Emeritus during a special ceremony held in Montemorelos University in North Mexico, this past weekend. Dr. Castrejon, who retired as being IATS president last year, was granted the title and a golden cord for his long leadership in thelogical education and his contribution in ministerial training throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) for decades.
“Our governing board wanted to honor Dr. Castrejon 20 years after he began the work of establishing the seminary,” said Efrain Velazquez, IATS president, as he spoke in front of dozens of church leaders, professors and ministerial students on July 9, 2016. “We thank you for your contribution and for leaving us this wonderful legacy.”
Dr. Castrejon grew IATS from offering master degrees for ministers in two university campuses in Inter-America to 10 campus sites, and sought and obtained accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools for the institution.
Some 885 pastors across Inter-America graduated with masters and/or doctorate degrees during the years that Castrejon led as president.
Golden cord stand presented to Dr. Castrejon.
Velazquez said it was fitting to honor Dr. Castrejon in Montemorelos University because he helped upgrade the institution to university status in the 1980s and made arrangements for the first White Research Center to be established throughout the IAD on campus. Dr. Castrejon also became the first president to serve at Montemorelos University.
IAD Vice President Tomas Torres reminisced on the time he saw Castrejon’s leadership on campus during the short ceremony. “We have witnessed the process that it takes to form pastors, teachers and all professions here at Montemorelos,” said Torres. “Dr. Castrejon was very bold in moving forward in his time and continues in the future as the new generations are benefitting from his work in this institution and seminary.”
IAD Vice President Leon B. Wellington thanked Castrejon for “nurturing this baby called IATS, serving 20 years as its president and bringing the institution to maturity.”
Castrejon thanked leaders and said the honor and glory goes only to God for His leadership. “IATS is there to serve ministers and I pray God can continue its influence and existence until we receive the crown from the King of kings,” Castrejon said.
Velazquez said Castrejon can use his golden cord with his regalia in graduating ceremonies and “will continue inspiring, advising and spiritually supporting the leadership of IATS.”
The Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary provides post-graduate theology and religion education to Inter-American pastors and teachers in 10 sites on the campus of 10 affiliated Adventist universities and seminaries.
For more information on IATS, click HERE