Adventist Church Leaders Vote Paul H. Douglas as the New Treasurer-Elect

By: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review

Paul H. Douglas, director of the General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS) since 2007, was voted treasurer/chief financial officer-elect of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on April 14, 2021. Members of the General Conference Executive Committee (GC EXCOM) voted on the Nominating Committee recommendation and elected Douglas.

“I am honored but, more so, humbled by the decision of this body and the leading of the Lord today,” Douglas told the hundreds of GC EXCOM members from around the world, who met virtually this year for the Spring Meeting, one of the two annual business meetings of the denomination. “I am not worthy, but I am willing,” he emphasized, minutes after leaders shared the results of the vote (204 to 10, or 95.3 percent, in favor of the motion).

Jamaican-born Douglas has served in various capacities at GCAS since 1986, when he was appointed audit manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in accounting, as well as a professional certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. He expects to complete his Ph.D. dissertation in 2021.

In 1993, Douglas became a GCAS regional manager. In 1997, he was elected as GCAS assistant director, and he became GCAS associate director in 2000. For the past 14 years, he has served the global church as GCAS director.

In 2020, he developed a “Roadmap to Resilience” for church leaders and their governing committees. This initiative seeks to help leaders be prepared “to sustain mission in times of crisis and provide an agile response to rapidly emerging realities.”

Before the GC EXCOM vote, Adventist Church president Ted N. C. Wilson shared Douglas’ nomination by the Nominating Committee. According to Wilson, Douglas “has distinguished himself in so many ways, including [in his] very high caliber of Christian ethics. He is always striving for the best.”

Wilson said that he was glad to bring the nomination of Douglas to a GC EXCOM vote. “He knows treasury function; he has a very keen intellect. He is very mission-focused,” Wilson said, noting that in 2018 and 2019, Douglas helped to plant a church and led evangelistic meetings. “He is a humble servant of God; he brings an international perspective,” he said.

Douglas also expressed a word of thanks to his predecessor, Juan Prestol-Puesán, who will stay as treasurer until the end of July. “It is my desire to continue his legacy of stewardship in our church,” Douglas said. “And to our world family, let us work together so God can come.”