Adventist World Church elects Inter-American leader as general vice president

July 7, 2015 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Pastor Abner De Los Santos, newly elected general vice president of the Adventist world church. IAD File photo.

Pastor Abner De Los Santos was elected as general vice president for the Seventh-day Adventist world church during the 60th General Conference business session yesterday in San Antonio, Texas. The election came as the church chose its six vice presidents who will help implement three mission-oriented goals that will be a priority around the world during the next five years.

Prior to his election, De Los Santos served as vice president in charge of member retention in the Inter-American Division, a position he held since 2010.

Originally from Mexico, De Los Santos is an ordained minister who began his work as a church pastor in 1986 in Southeast Mexico. He served as conference secretary and later conference president for 10 years. De Los Santos also served 10 years as secretary and later president of the North Mexican Union from 2001-2010.

His leadership in the Inter-American Division (IAD) included aiding the integration of departments and ministries working together to keep new members and longstanding members actively engaged in the fulfillment of the mission.

Pastor Abner De Los Santos, his wife Leticia and their two grown children after the 5K run organized during GC Session in San Antonio, Texas, July 5, 2015. Image courtesy of Abner De Los Santos.

De Los Santos was glad to hear the direction the world church in motivating members in evangelism and witnessing. “It is crucial to engage every single department working together in ensuring that members are spiritually nourished, equipped and involved in sharing the gospel,” says De Los Santos.

Thanks to his guidance the member retention rate in the IAD increased significantly during the past five years, division church leaders say.

Pastor Israel Leito, president of the Inter-American Division, praises De Los Santos for his contribution in “strengthening the organizational aspect of the division and for successfully guiding the revival and reformation initiative.”

Ordained in 1991, De Los Santos, 52, earned a master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Andrews University and completed a doctorate degree in Ministry from the Inter-American Theological Seminary in 2012. He obtained his undergraduate studies at Montemorelos University in North Mexico.

De Los Santos is married to Leticia. The couple has two grown children.