Honduras Elects First Female Conference Superintendent in Recent Business Session
- World Missions Ministries Communications Office
HONDURAS – On May 24, 2025, during a Spirit-filled Business Session, Pastora Maria Dominga Cruz Moran was elected as Honduras’ first female Conference Superintendent. Maria Cruz’s election marks a historic leadership transition for Honduras and the global International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) as she becomes the third female elected to serve as a National Leader.
“We celebrate the election of Bishop Maria Cruz as the Conference Superintendent of the IPHC in Honduras,” World Missions Executive Director Bishop Talmadge Gardner said. “I recently had the privilege of meeting Bishop Cruz in San Jose, Costa Rica. She is a humble, yet confident lady who knows that God ordered her steps and destiny by placing her in this position of leadership and service.”
According to Interim Central America Regional Director Bryan Nix, Bishop Cruz has been a cornerstone for IPHC Honduras since its founding 20 years ago. She pastors Colonia Nueva Capital alongside her husband, Miguel Antonio, a church renowned for its impactful children’s ministry, where over 200 children benefit from their feeding and after-school programs.
“Maria is the right person to lead this new era of IPHC Honduras,” Rev. Bryan said. “Her church is a wonderful example of how community impact and church growth coincide.”
The IPHC has a long-standing legacy of supporting, encouraging, and sending women called to ministry. Bishop Cruz is no exception as she joins Dr. Wallapa Wisawasukmongchol (National Leader of IPHC Thailand) and Rev. Merlyn Lamanilao (National Leader of IPHC Cambodia) as a God-fearing woman whose country’s pastors have entrusted her with this title and duty.
“These ladies have a powerful anointing on their lives and have earned the respect and trust of their peers,” Bishop Gardner said of Cruz, Wisawasukmongchol, and Lamanilao. “Women have led the advance of the global expansion of the IPHC. It is gratifying to see them now coming to the forefront in the countries that they serve. I am praying for a similar breakthrough in the USA.”
According to Rev. Bryan Nix, who led the Business Session along with translation from IPHC Colombia’s Bishop Sergio Castro, the time was marked by a profound sense of unity and peace as former Honduras Bishop Antonio Rodriguez, who had fulfilled his eligible term limits according to the Bylaws, passed the office on to Bishop Cruz. World Missions honors Rev. Antonio for his many years of service to the church and Honduras.
“We can all be proud of the IPHC in Honduras,” Rev. Nix said. “It was undeniable that the Holy Spirit was moving during the Business Session. I believe their unity in Spirit marked that session and will set them on a path for Kingdom growth.”
Bishop Cruz was elected for a four-year term as President (Bishop) of IPHC Honduras along with newly elected Vice President Abel Martinez Sormiento, Secretary Rony Alberto Funes Aguilar, Treasurer Maria “Noebly” Nunez Avivo, Fiscal Mario Sosa, and Vocal Doris Aracely Hernandez Flores.
Bishop Sergio Castro and Rev. Bryan Nix alongside Honduras Leadership (pictured from left to right: Columbia's Bishop Sergio Castro, Vocal Doris Hernandez, Fiscal Mario Sosa, Treasurer Maria "Noebly" Avivo, Secretary Rony Funes, Vice President Abel Martinez, President Maria Cruz, Interim Regional Director Bryan Nix.)
“It’s inspiring to see where God is taking the IPHC in Honduras,” Bishop Castro said of the session and the country’s leadership. “The pastors and leaders are faithfully pursuing the mission to reach their nation with the Gospel. Their greatest days are ahead!”
