Adventist Seminary Celebrates 30 Years of Preparing Leaders for Mission in Inter-America

Church leaders honored pioneers, reflected on decades of growth, and reaffirmed the seminary’s mission for the future across the Inter-American Division.

May 26, 2026 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Seventh-day Adventist administrators and church leaders from across the Inter-American Division (IAD) gathered on May 5, 2026, in Miami, Florida, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (IATS). The event brought together top church administrators, union presidents, university leaders, faculty, and former seminary presidents to thank God for the institution’s growth and recognize the visionaries whose faith and leadership helped establish the seminary three decades ago.

During the celebration, leaders reflected on the history of IATS and its impact throughout Inter-America, where hundreds of pastors have earned master’s and doctoral degrees to strengthen ministry and mission across the territory.

“We have dreamed about this day, and we have worked hard to make it possible,” said Ángel Guzmán, PhD, president of IATS. “This seminary has a very fascinating history.”

Guzmán emphasized that the seminary was built through the faith, sacrifice, and vision of its founding leaders, whom he described as the institution’s “foundational pillars.”

“That history was built with great faith and hope by our foundational pillars,” Guzmán said. “Their faith and work created this institution.”

He added that the current administration remains committed to continuing the vision established by those early leaders and ensuring that their sacrifices were worthwhile.

“We want our foundational pillars to feel and believe that it was worth it to arrive here and celebrate these 30 years,” Guzmán said.

Faith, Sacrifice, and Vision

Among those specially recognized during the celebration was Jaime Castrejón, PhD, the seminary’s first president, who played a key role in coordinating early graduate theology programs with Andrews University and later helped guide the institution through the accreditation process that culminated with ATS recognition in 2011. Church leaders noted that the milestone represented more than two decades of planning and vision after leaders first began exploring ways to provide advanced theological education for pastors throughout Inter-America in 1986.

Reflecting on the seminary’s beginnings, Castrejón recalled the uncertainty and faith required to establish the institution.

“It was hard to branch off from Andrews,” Castrejón said. “At that time, to look forward, everything was uncertain—budgets, faculty, personnel, offices. Everything was expensive.”

Despite the challenges, Castrejón said leaders moved forward trusting God would provide.

“It’s always easy to jump when you know the pool has water,” he said. “But when you don’t know, you jump in faith.”

Castrejón described the anniversary celebration as the realization of a dream shared by many church leaders, pastors, and families who sacrificed to help establish the institution.

“It is a dream to be here surrounded by these men and women of courage,” Castrejón said. “At times we thought it was an adventure that was too daring, but thanks be to God, He makes the impossible possible.”

Part of those foundational pillars included Efraín Velázquez, PhD, the third president of IATS, who served the institution for more than 17 years as vice president for academic affairs and later as president from 2015 to 2025. During his leadership, the seminary expanded academically, strengthened its accreditation standing, launched doctoral-level studies, advanced online education, and continued consolidating its role as a leading theological institution in the world church.

Strengthening Theological Education 

Reflecting on the anniversary, Velázquez described the seminary’s history as deeply connected to his own personal and ministerial journey. Having entered IATS as part of its first generation of master’s students in 1996, he said the institution helped shape his life, ministry, and family throughout the years.

“As the Lord has been building this seminary, He has also been building my life, my experience, and my family,” Velázquez said. “I can only give thanks to the Lord for all of this.”

Velázquez also acknowledged the institutional challenges faced throughout the years, including accreditation and academic growth, but said the seminary’s progress has been sustained through faith, humility, and a commitment to excellence.

“As long as we maintain a grateful heart, an attitude of learning, and the desire to pursue excellence, we will be well,” Velázquez said.

Former IAD President Pastor Israel Leito also reflected on the early years of the seminary, recalling the challenges church leaders faced while trying to provide graduate theological education within the territory instead of sending pastors abroad.

“Starting from the General Conference down, they were saying only Andrews was to be a seminary for graduate degrees,” Leito said. “We had grown so much, and the finances were not helping us. It was very costly.”

Leito credited former IAD Treasurer Filiberto Verduzco with helping develop a sustainable financial plan that eventually allowed pastors throughout the territory to pursue graduate studies at little or no cost.

“Filiberto came up with a plan that could continue benefiting IATS in such a way that pastors could get their education practically free,” Leito said. “It’s 30 years of generations of pastors.”

Verduzco said the seminary’s long-term impact has justified every investment made by the church throughout the years.

“The seminary’s impact in preparing pastors with master’s and doctoral degrees is one of the greatest strengths of the church in Inter-America,” Verduzco said.

Jirí Moskala, dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, also affirmed the growth and maturity of IATS throughout the years, describing the institution as an important development for theological education in Inter-America.

“I think it’s always good when we see theological education growing,” Moskala said. “Andrews University was preparing and educating people from this region, and then, when they had enough preparation, it was time for them to continue the work.”

Honoring Leadership 

Special commemorative medals were presented to several founding leaders and former administrators in recognition of their contributions to establishing and strengthening the seminary throughout the years.

Velázquez also recognized Elie Henry, PhD, former president of the IAD, for his instrumental leadership and long-standing support of IATS. According to Velázquez, Henry’s strong academic background helped strengthen the seminary’s academic rigor and credibility throughout the years. He also praised Henry’s humility, compassion, and pastoral leadership, describing him as a unifying presence within the institution. Henry was among several former leaders honored with a commemorative medal of distinction for his contributions to IATS.

Commemorative medals were also presented to Eduardo Villanueva, former IATS vice president for financial affairs, and Ketlie Henry, who served nearly 30 years as registrar of IATS.

Church leaders from across the territory also highlighted the seminary’s lasting impact on pastoral leadership and theological education throughout the region.

“Throughout the existence of IATS, there have been more than 300 graduates from its master’s and doctoral programs,” said Juan José Andrade, director of the Ellen G. White Research Center and theology professor at Montemorelos University. “The work has been collaborative, and we have always received support from the leaders of IATS throughout the years.”

Pastor Kern Tobias, president of the Caribbean Union Conference, said the seminary has played a key role in strengthening leadership development throughout the Caribbean region.

“Most of our leaders and administrators in the Caribbean Union have benefited from the training they received from IATS,” Tobias said. “Some of our younger professors at the university have also received their training from IATS.”

Preparing Leaders for the Future

Pastor Abner De los Santos, president of the IAD, challenged the seminary’s leadership and staff to continue fulfilling their mission by “rising and shining” in a world increasingly marked by spiritual darkness. Referencing Isaiah 60:1–3 during a special prayer of dedication, De los Santos reminded attendees that IATS exists to prepare pastors and leaders who will continue advancing the mission of the church throughout Inter-America.

“It is time to shine for God,” De los Santos said. “IATS exists for mission, and the mission must be fulfilled in times when there is darkness in the world.”

During the prayer, De los Santos thanked God for the pioneers who envisioned and established the institution and prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the current leadership team.

Looking ahead, Guzmán said the future of IATS will depend on continued vision, innovation, and commitment to mission-focused theological education.

“The future of IATS will not depend only on its history, but on our present decisions,” Guzmán said. “We are committed to strengthening research, strategically expanding our programs, and continuing to serve the Inter-American Division with academic excellence and spiritual integrity.”

“The next chapter will not be written by inertia, but by vision,” he added. “And that vision remains clear: to prepare leaders who are deeply biblical, missionally committed, and equipped for the challenges of a global church.”

About IATS

The Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary is the postgraduate theological institution established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to prepare pastors, teachers, administrators, and church leaders for ministry throughout the IAD and beyond. Registered as a non-profit institution in Florida and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, IATS was founded in 1996 through an affiliation with Andrews University and later became an independent theological seminary in 2004. Today, IATS coordinates postgraduate theological education across 10 university campuses throughout the territory.

IATS offers accredited graduate degrees including the Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology (MATP), Master of Arts in Biblical-Theological Studies (MABTS), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), and Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical-Theological Studies (PhD).

The seminary is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association and by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). According to 2024 ATS annual data, IATS ranked third in enrollment growth among ATS-accredited seminaries in the United States and Canada.

To learn more about the programs and initiatives at IATS, visit setai.edu

To view a photo gallery of the celebration, click HERE