Adventist Leaders Appoint Rubén Ponce as New ADRA Inter-America Director

Seventh-day Adventist administrators at the Inter-American Division (IAD) have appointed Rubén Ponce as director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Inter-America, effective this month. The Executive Committee of the IAD voted on the decision.

IAD President Pastor Abner De los Santos said church leaders are confident in Ponce’s leadership and experience, citing his background in humanitarian response and organizational management. “We are very grateful to God for Rubén’s appointment,” De los Santos said. “After reviewing several options, we saw that he was one of the best possibilities for ADRA Inter-America, given his experience with ADRA Mexico and his work with ADRA International.” He also pointed to Ponce’s recent involvement in disaster response across the territory, including support provided in Jamaica alongside ADRA International. De los Santos added that basing the ADRA Inter-America director in Mexico strengthens accessibility, coordination and rapid response throughout the region.

Ponce has served with ADRA Mexico since 2019, including the past three years as country director. During his leadership, ADRA Mexico achieved international accreditation and certification and ranked among the top ADRA offices globally. From 2020 to 2025, the organization carried out 30 humanitarian and development projects that benefited thousands of community members, a record of care for people in need.

Ponce holds a law degree from Universidad del Norte and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Universidad del Valle de México. He has more than 17 years of denominational service, and he has served as legal affairs director at Montemorelos University, associate conference treasurer, auditor and accountant.

Ponce succeeds David Poloche, who has served as ADRA Inter-America director since 2015 and will retire next month after more than 49 years of denominational service. Poloche, originally from Venezuela, has led ADRA work at both union and division levels and played a key role in the agency’s regional growth. He described his years with ADRA Inter-America as deeply fulfilling and noted the steady growth of ADRA offices across the territory and their increasing capacity to respond to humanitarian crises. “Emergencies have increased in recent years,” Poloche said, “but we are grateful that we have been able to respond to each of those needs.” He expressed appreciation for national ADRA directors, whom he described as central to implementing projects on the ground, and said he was confident in the transition.

“Now it is time to pass the baton,” Poloche said. “I am very happy to do so with Rubén Ponce. He has demonstrated what it means to be an ADRA director and understands the role of this agency in advancing the mission of the church.” Poloche said he continues to pray for Ponce and his family, trusting that God will guide the next phase of ADRA’s work across Inter-America.

Ponce said he accepted the appointment with gratitude and humility, acknowledging the responsibility of overseeing ADRA’s work across a diverse and expansive territory. “I am thankful to the Church, to ADRA, and to all who support this ministry through their prayers,” he said. “I also express my deep appreciation to Pastor David Poloche for his faithful and dedicated service.” He said he looks forward to working with more than 20 unions and 13 ADRA country offices, strengthening collaboration and expanding ADRA’s impact among vulnerable communities.

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