We would like to welcome and introduce to the readers of the BRI newsletter “Reflections” our new BRI Associate Director, Dr. Elias Brasil de Souza. As most readers have read in the last issue, Dr. Gerhard Pfandl retired as of February 1, 2012. We are blessed not only by having Dr. de Souza join our staff, but also hat Dr. Pfandl will continue working at BRI part-time.

Dr. Elias Brasil de Souza was born into an Adventist family in Brazil. He is married to Magela who holds a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. They have two children: Guilherme (18) currently studying Theology at Southern Adventist University, and Gustavo (13) living with his parents in Silver Spring.

Dr. de Souza earned a Ph.D. in Old Testament theology and exegesis. His dissertation: “The Heavenly Sanctuary in the Old Testament: Function and Relationship to the Earthly Counterparts” was successfully defended at Andrews University, in 2005. Dr. de Souza has authored and edited articles and books in both scholarly and denominational publications. He has been involved in research groups and academic meetings in South America. Dr. de Souza is currently writing on 1 Kings for the SDA International Bible Commentary.

His professional experience includes service to the Church as a colporteur, district pastor, professor of theology, and dean of the Theological Seminary at Northeast Brazil College in Bahia, Brazil. His main interests are Old Testament, Sanctuary, and Hermeneutics.

Dr. de Souza speaks several languages and is a very friendly and outgoing person.

His work in the BRI as an associate Director will include functioning as an advisor to Biblical Research Committees in the Inter-American Division, South American Division, and East-Central Africa Division. We welcome Elias to our family and wish him God’s richest blessings!