Adventist Leaders Celebrate Filiberto Verduzco For His Financial Legacy in Inter-America

December 8, 2022 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders from throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) gathered to celebrate the church service of Filiberto Verduzco, who served for 22 years as chief financial officer for church in Inter-America.

During the special ceremony held on Dec. 5, 2022, union administrators, institution administrators, IAD leaders and staff honored Verduzco for strengthening the financial system of the church and expanding God’s work throughout the territory. Verduzco recently submitted his written request for retirement effective Jan. 1, 2023, after serving the church for more than 40 years.

“We have come here to recognize the extraordinary service of Filiberto and the journey that we lived through together, not to bid him farewell but to celebrate his ministry in Inter-America,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the IAD.  “You are a man whom I got to know, someone who listens to God, and served with passion in the mission of the church.” Finding solutions to complex problems is an extraordinary gift Verduzco has, said Pastor Henry. “Before anyone finished explaining a problem, he already had a solution to fix things and move forward,” added Pastor Henry.

A strong financial system

“The most important legacy you leave us with is a financially strong Division,” said Pastor Henry. “You are a man committed to the church, focused on teaching stewardship principles to the church and each member.” Pastor Henry thanked Verduzco and his wife Alma on behalf of the church, pastors, and IAD leaders and staff.

Adventist Church Treasurer Paul Douglas, who traveled to Miami, Florida, to be part of the celebration, expressed the world church’s deepest appreciation for Verduzco’s work. “As far as I know, you are the longest serving division treasurer in the world church,” said Douglas. “You have left a legacy of excellence not only in the IAD but throughout the world, for many of your colleagues apply the principles you have shared in their own context.”

Apart from the legacy Verduzco has left on a corporate level, Douglas spoke on a personal level. “Filiberto, you are my friend. We came to the IAD the same year and you and I have modeled the fact that the auditor and treasurer can actually get along, and I’ve appreciated that,” said Douglas. “I have learned from you how you have taken complex issues and broken it down, but you have taken that process and made it a spiritual process. When I grow up, I want to be like you.”

Born in Mexico, Verduzco’s church service began as general manager of the Inter-American Health Food Company’s COLPAC branch. His years of service also include vice president of finance and vice president of development of Montemorelos University in Mexico.

Expanding the church’s work

“You have left an indelible mark in the Inter-American Division, and there will always be that pre-Fili and post-Fili,” said Pastor Israel Leito, former IAD president who worked alongside Verduzco for more than 18 years. “When the local fields were in trouble long before, it was mostly up to them to solve their issues, but when Fili came, he would say ‘let’s see what can be done,” I hope that model can be amplified as how we deal with the church for the Lord.”

One by one, union administrators arranged in groups praised the ministry and service of Verduzco during the three-hour ceremony.

“We will always remember your exemplary use of church funds for the fulfillment of the church and assist the less fortunate,” expressed Pastor Pierre Caporal, president of the Haitian Union—the largest of the 24 IAD unions with more than 495,000 church members. “Thank you for your ministry filled with love, kindness, generosity, and passion for souls.”

Pastor Aldo Perez, president of the Cuba Union, also thanked Verduzco for the continual support for the church membership. “In the history of the union, we had never received so much support and benefits for the accomplishment of the work and we thank you for that spirit of generosity during your service.”

Lasting legacy

“On behalf of the church in Mexico with more than 800,000 members, we want to express our gratitude for the legacy you have left in our country,” said Ignacio Navarro, president of the church’s administrative office in Mexico, and, also president of the Chiapas Mexican Union. “Thank you for your passion, service, and loyalty and a ministry marked by a great love for Jesus Christ, His church, and colleagues,” said Navarro. “Thank you for leaving so many footprints that will last forever, for being firm amid adversities, for being a great influence touching many lives and transforming them to be servants of God.”

“In Montemorelos University you coined a phrase that has been carried throughout the years: a ‘legacy of vision and generosity’ which is precisely what has been reflected in your legacy to the IAD church,” said Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University.

Other leaders of division institutions such as the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (IATS), the Adventist Healthcare Services in Inter-America (AHSIA), Inter-American Publishing Association (IADPA), GEMA Editors, and Inter-American Health Food Company (IAHFC), also expressed their gratitude to Verduzco for being instrumental in supporting and expanding the work in each institution.

Pastor Verduzco held back tears as he stood next to his wife thanking the church leadership for their support and God’s guidance in his life, especially as treasurer of the Division. “I want to thank God for being so good to me,” he said. “If you only knew how many times, I didn’t know what to do. Many thought that I knew so much but most of the time I couldn’t even imagine any way of resolving problems.”

One constant during his ministry was his wife Alma’s perennial reminder when he was boggled by challenges of the job.  “She would always tell me that the resources I had before me were not mine but belonged to God. ‘Never think nor take decisions like they’re your decisions but the resources belong to God’ she would say,” said Verduzco.  “At times when I didn’t want to get up to go to the office, she would constantly remind me to depend on God.”

What really matters

Verduzco encouraged leaders to continue to work hard in fulfilling the mission and reminded them to cling to Jesus at all times. “At the end, whatever took place, whatever was done doesn’t count. It’s our relationship with Jesus that matters,” Verduzco said.

Born in Mexico, Verduzco is an ordained minister and holds a doctorate in administration from Montemorelos University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Sonora Technological Institute. He has more than 45 years of denominational service in the Inter-American Division.

Verduzco is married to Alma Yanez. They have two adult sons and five grandchildren.

To view a photo album of the Verduzco Family Celebration of Ministry, Click HERE.