President of the Southern New England Conference, but previously was the Director and Development Director for the  Adventist Mission in the Chinese Union. Robert speak fluent Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Pastor Edwar Ariza Gerena presents the seminar “My Integrity Is Not for Sale,” which equips church elders to lead with faithfulness, consistency, and responsibility in God’s mission.

Amy Bacon serves as Associate Superintendent and Assistant Youth Director for the Minnesota Conference, supporting schools and teachers while advancing student discipleship through youth ministries. She is passionate about strengthening Adventist education and serving students and families.

​Cortney Buchholz is a holistic Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience, blending traditional psychiatry with lifestyle and integrative approaches. She is passionate about whole-person care and mental health advocacy.

Debra Coklas is the Prison Ministry Director for the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the President of MN Adventist Prison Ministries (MAPM) which is a part of the Minnesota Conference. 

Bio coming soon

Gerald Dube is a Lay Pastor Program graduate, church elder & bible worker, dedicated to equipping young people and leaders to grow in faith and mission.

Brad Forbes has led AdventSource since 1989, guiding its growth into a worldwide resource hub for churches and schools, and continues to serve locally at College View Church.

Felipe Granda, a member of the Minneapolis Hispanic Church, has served as Master Guide Director and helped lead statewide camporees in Minnesota. He is passionate about mentoring youth through Adventurer and Pathfinder ministries.

Pastor Eddy Hernández serves the Minnesota Conference’s North Hispanic District, where he pastors three churches. With 14 years of ministry experience in Mexico and the U.S., he is passionate about serving God, the church, and especially the youth.

Pastor Eduardo Jacobo serves as Hispanic and Family Life Ministries Director for the Minnesota Conference, with nearly 30 years of ministry experience across the U.S., Mexico, South America, and Europe.

Pastor Karen Lewis is Ministerial Director for the Minnesota Conference and author of the Lifting Up Jesus Bible lessons, passionate about helping people grow spiritually and experience Christ’s transforming grace.

Bianca Madanat is an account executive with Adventist Risk Management, serving Mid-America Union and the SDA Church in Canada. She is especially passionate about child protection and safe church facilities.

Jilian Maranga has over 20 years of experience in youth ministry, serving as Adventurer and Pathfinder Director, Area Coordinator, and curriculum leader with Twin Cities African Camp Meeting. She is passionate about guiding children to grow in faith through God’s Word.

Bio coming soon

Jim Moon, founder of Intersect Leadership LLC, helps people live out their faith in everyday life and is partnering with the Minnesota Conference to launch the Tent Makers Network.

Bio coming soon

Eli Rojas is Associate Director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute with over 30 years of pastoral ministry. He is passionate about church growth, leadership development, evangelism, and discipleship through small groups.

Pastor Jude Senatus leads the Minneapolis First District. He holds a Doctor of Ministry and a Master of Divinity and has served as an evangelist across North America and the Caribbean.

Marly Milena Suárez Sierra presents the seminar “Music in the Context of Worship,” highlighting music’s role in honoring God, strengthening faith, and uniting the church in reverent worship.

Bob Toews earned a degree in Graphic Communications and spent nearly two decades in the printing and trailer-manufacturing industries. Today, he serves full-time as an EMT and co-heads the Audio-Visual Department at Wadena SDA Church,

Senior pastor for the Southeast Minnesota Hispanic District, Pierre Vergel helped launch the digital Escuela Sabática LIKE project and co-created DIDAKTIKOS, collaborating with GC and Inter-American Division initiatives.

Laura Wasleske is Executive Assistant for the Minnesota Conference, where she supports administration and serves as Conference Clerk. She manages membership records and trains local church clerks, combining professionalism with a heart for service.

Gavin Anthony serves as Assistant to the President and Director for Strategic Initiatives at the Minnesota Conference. Recently president of the Iceland Conference, he brings a passion for discipleship, leadership, and dependence on God.

Dr. Gregorio Avilés has over 30 years of ministry experience in Mexico and the U.S., serving in pastoral, youth, stewardship, and executive roles, and has led more than 3,000 people to baptism.

Daniel Borja is Youth and Camp Director for the Minnesota Conference, passionate about discipleship, mission initiatives, and equipping youth to know Jesus. He and his wife Joyce serve in ministry together with their children.

Craig Carr is Ministerial Director for the Mid-America Union, with a passion for helping pastors and leaders integrate emotional and spiritual maturity into ministry. A lifelong runner and outdoor enthusiast, he and his wife Carisa have two adult children.

​Doug Cross is a certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer, and Executive Coach with leadership experience at Fortune 50 companies. He now focuses on preaching, training, and equipping church members to lead with purpose across generations.

James Davis, Education Superintendent for the Minnesota Conference, is passionate about ensuring every child can access Adventist education. With over 20 years’ experience as a teacher and principal, he has already helped open a new school in Minnesota.

Daniel has been involved in planting several churches in the North England Conference and served as the Director of Personal Ministries and Evangelism before being called to serve as the Associate Director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries

Bio coming soon

My career has been directed by divine appointments,  after I realized that my real job was to share Jesus in the marketplace.. 

Ernesto Hernandez is a filmmaker, AI specialist, and media strategist dedicated to helping the church navigate the digital age.

Josh Jeresek is a follower of Jesus who is privileged to serve as a Pastor in the Brainerd, Minnesota, Seventh-day Adventist church district. He has a passion for ministering to young people.

Prisca Lupambo is a Certified Early Childhood Educator and Master Guide who serves as Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives at the Minnesota Conference. 

Abigail Maranga serves in the Ramsey Light of the World Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs, where she mentors children through classes, drills, and honors. She is passionate about guiding young people to grow in faith and follow Jesus.

Armando Miranda Jr. is Associate Director for Youth & Young Adult Ministries at the North American Division, passionate about empowering young people through Club Ministries.

Pastor Ingrid Moon serves the Andover/Cambridge District with over 20 years of ministry experience and a focus on leadership and discipleship.

Bio coming soon

Lilian Ombati, a member of Otsego SDA Church, has served as Adventurer and Pathfinder Director and as an Area Coordinator on the Conference Adventurer Council. A Master Guide and nurse by profession, she is passionate about mentoring.

Brian Schwab is a Risk Control Specialist at Adventist Risk Management with over 25 years of service to the Adventist Church. He is passionate about supporting schools, camps, and ministries in creating safe places for mission.

Naomi Sosi has over 10 years of experience leading the Adventurer Club at Southview SDA Church. A wife and mother of four, she is passionate about guiding children to grow in faith, kindness, and service.

Pastor Darnisha Thomas has served in Minnesota since 2019. A graduate of Oakwood University and Andrews Theological Seminary, she is passionate about mentoring young people, cross-cultural ministry, and encouraging women who sense God’s call.

Bio coming soon

Pastor Boris Villareal leads the seminar “Small Groups for Eternity,” equipping churches to grow through community, prayer, discipleship, and service as missionary groups for God’s kingdom.

Jane Windsperger is a nurse, farmer, and Pathfinder Area Coordinator who loves mentoring children and youth. A devoted mother of five, she brings resilience, faith, and joy to her ministry.

Bio coming soon

Public accountant, assistant in family counseling, professional singer, and pastor’s wife

Gayln Bowers is Vice President for Finance for the Minnesota Conference, serving since 2021. He previously led Cohutta Springs Conference Center in Georgia and held leadership roles at Pacific Union College and as a missionary in Thailand.

Susan Chiwala is a leader in youth mentorship, music, and counseling. She has served as Pathfinder and Music Director and is passionate about guiding young people in faith through worship and community.

Hugh Davis is Director of Communications for the Mid-America Union Conference, passionate about digital media and storytelling that supports ministry. He and his wife have four children.

Pastor Tyrone Douglas is Director of Church Ministries and Youth & Young Adult Ministries for the Mid-America Union. With over 25 years in ministry, he is passionate about guiding the next generation in faith and service.

Dr. Yvon Fils-Aimé is Health Ministries Leader for the Minnesota Conference, a physician and healthcare executive with over 25 years of global experience in public health, lifestyle medicine, and innovative health solutions.

Ana Granda Esqueda serves as an Area Coordinator on the Minnesota Conference Pathfinder Council. Active in Pathfinder and Adventurer ministries across several churches, she is passionate about empowering young people to grow in Christ.

I have taught in grades K-9 in the Seventh-Day Adventist school system for over 20 years in the Hawai’i and Minnesota Conferences.

As Mission Advancement Officer for ASAP Ministries, Pastor Lisa Isensee is a story-teller. She loves to passionately share the right-now-stories of what God is doing with individuals, families, schools, churches, at conventions and occasionally on radio or TV.

Pastor David Kamande serves Faith Church International and the Mount of Blessings District. With a Master of Divinity and a background in social work, his ministry centers on hope, restoration, and preparing people for Christ’s soon return.

Bio coming soon

Collins Maranga, Pathfinder Coordinator for the Minnesota Conference, has over 25 years of youth ministry experience in Pathfinders, Adventurers, and church leadership. He is dedicated to mentoring young people and inspiring Christ-centered leadership.

Pauline Misiak serves at Southview Seventh-day Adventist Church, supporting youth and women’s ministries including Pathfinders. With a background in IT and a heart for mentorship.

Jim Moon, founder of Intersect Leadership LLC, helps people live out their faith in everyday life and is partnering with the Minnesota Conference to launch the Tent Makers Network.

Evans Opanga is an educator with over 30 years of teaching experience in Kenya and the U.S. Active in the Heavens Crew Pathfinder Club, he is passionate about mentoring youth to live as disciples of Christ in everyday life.

Bio coming soon

President of the Minnesota Conference, Jeff previously directed strategic planning for Adventist Mission at the General Conference and pastored in Minnesota; he’s also the author of practical Bible‑study books

Bio coming soon

Ooriginally from Jamaica, Andrew Thompson has served in all the departments of the Church and is currently the Vice President and Treasurer of the MN Adventist Prison Ministries (MAPM). 

Nelly Torori, MSW, LISW, works for the Minnesota Department of Human Services in culturally responsive policy development. A longtime Pathfinder and Adventurer leader at Mount of Blessings SDA Church, she has served for over 30 years.

Bio coming soon