Junia Awards 2025
East-Central Africa Division: Edith Kwagalakwe was already an Anglican minister like her father, when she became an Advent. Her call to ministry was strong, so she studied ministry at Bugema Adventist University and began work as an associate pastor. Since she has married in 1999, had six children and been a district leader in four districts in Uganda. In 2012 she graduated with a degree in counseling/psychology. Today she pastors in the Matugga district in Central Uganda. Her passion in ministry is studying the Bible and reading books on ministry. She enjoys preaching and believes a woman can be a good pastor. Some in her parishioners disagree, which motivates her to work harder. On the other hand, she finds some church members go out of their way to be supportive.
Euro-Asia Division: Irina Vorobyova/ Ирина Воробьёва has been a minister in the Euro-Asia Division since 1996. She began as a multi-church pastor in the Ural Conference. In addition, she also headed the conference’s Department of Music 1996-2004. From 2007-2010 she served as the Youth Ministry Director and Education Director as well as continuing to lead her congregations. In 2010 she moved to the Northwest Conference as a minister, leading the Youth Ministries Department 2012-2016 and 2017-2024. She was also the Director of the Heath Department from 2016-2019. Since 2024 she is the Director of Music and currently leads the Kingisepp and Slantsy churches near St Petersburg. She says, “I have been so blessed by the abundant nature of God’s goodness and I wish to share these blessings with others.”
Inter-American Division: Aniliuska Baños Valdés has been Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs at the Adventist Theological Seminary of Cuba since 2010. She grew up in an atheistic educational environment where faith was publicly ridiculed and penalized. Yet from age 12, She nurtured an unshakable dream: to study theology. God has transformed that resistance into a ministry impacting new generations. “I strive to integrate theological training with a genuine relationship with God. My mission is for students to understand that true theology is born from humility before the Creator. My greatest joy comes from my students’ words: “Professor, in your class I learned to love knowing God.” A gift that glorifies the Lord who sustained my calling!”
Inter-European Division: Milu (María da Luz Oliveira Ferreira) Cordeiro After her degree in Theology, Milu began her pastoral ministry in 1997 in Portugal. During her 18 years of ecclesiastical responsibilities, she had the opportunity to attend an evangelistic course at the Amazing Facts ministry in the United States of America, conduct an Evangelistic Campaign in Mozambique and a National Campaign "For a Full Existence". Add to the 18 years of ecclesiastical ministry, she served another 10 years (2012 to 2022), has Departmental of the Area of Families of the Portuguese Union. Today, she carries out her pastoral ministry in two local churches in the North of Portugal and collaborates with the Adventist TV “Novo Tempo Portugal". Wife of Pastor and mother of two children, finds in the family and in the ministry her greater joy.
North Asia Pacific Division: Hideko Nagata became and Adventist in her twenties but it wasn’t until age 33 that she felt called to serve those facing death. She moved to the U.S. to study Theology and Social Work at Pacific Union College. While in the Master's program in Biomedical and Clinical Ethics at Loma Linda University, she took chaplaincy training at the nearby Veteran’s Hospital. Returning to Japan in 1995 she became the only female Adventist chaplain in Japan, serving as a chaplain at Tokyo Adventist Hospital for the past 30 years. She is now the director of the Chaplains office. “When I first felt a call to this mission, it seemed impossible, but God opened the way. All I have done is to let Christ lead my path. Every moment of my work with people who are experiencing spiritual pain is supported by Christ.”
South American Division: Mara Núbia Sales has been serving as a theologian and educator for 34 years, including 11 years as a volunteer. She has extensive pastoral experience, having served as an associate pastor in five church districts — two of them located on university campuses, where she also worked as a university chaplain. She also served for three years as an associate pastor in the Spanish Union, which enriched her experience in cross-cultural ministry. Twelve of these years were dedicated to serving at UNASP-SP and UNASP-EC, both in pastoral ministry and as a university professor. In the educational field, she worked as a school principal, educational counselor, and teacher of Philosophy and Sociology at the high school level. Mara currently continues her calling as a volunteer spiritual counselor, offering support, guidance, and inspiration to those she serves.
South Pacific Division: Sarah Aratai double majored in ministry and theology at Avondale College. She was the first female Cook Islander to be called ‘home’ to pastor. In 2008 she began her ministry on Rarotong where she was commissioned in 2014. She started ministering on Aitutaki (Cook Islands) in 2020. She currently leads three churches and has directed the Women’s Ministries and Health Departments for 17 years, including the 10,000 toes health education project to reduce diabetes in the Pacific. She is also chaplain for the Adventist and local public schools. In 2021 Sarah received her MBA from the University of the South Pacific. Women are thriving in the government and traditional leadership in Aitutaki, and Sarah is glad to represent that in Adventist ministry. Meeting people in the community and sharing Jesus bring her joy.
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division: Harisoa Ratafita’s first job after ministerial training was as an office secretary at Adventist University Zurcher in 2003. She was soon asked to teach Child Evangelism. After marrying a district pastor, she was asked to run the Women’s Ministry in 2011 and later Shepherdess programs for the West North Conference of Madagascar. She her training seminars have empowered more than 200 leaders in children and women’s ministry. In 2022, she was entrusted with the spiritual leadership of seven churches in the Bealanana district. Presently she is responsible for two churches and teaches Bible at the Adventist Lycee of Besakoa. “My lifelong mission is to lead children to Christ and to continue training capable and compassionate spiritual leaders for both children and women’s ministries.”
Southern Asia Division: Chawngdinpuii C Shaffer was the first Adventist woman to graduate with a religion degree from Spicer in 1992. She was one of the first three women to graduate with a doctorate (PhD) from AIIAS earning in 2008. She became an Associate Professor of New Testament Studies and Director of the E. G. White Research Center at Spicer Adventist University. In 2013 and 2014 she served as the Southern Asian Division representative to the Theology of Ordination Study Committee. She became Managing Editor of the College and University Dialogue, published by the Education Department of The General Conference, where she ministers to Adventist Students attending public universities worldwide. She has preached for revival meetings and camp meetings in nine countries. She currently lives in Maryland, USA.
South Asia Pacific Division: Nitcha Khonsungnoen cames from a Buddhist background and became an Adventist as a young woman with some of her family. She completed her degree in religion at Asia-Pacific International University (an Adventist institution in Thailand). In her12 years of ministry she has worked in 5 districts leading multiple churches in Thailand. She has co-hosted a radio evangelism program. She currently leads the Nakhon Luang church. She is truly thankful to God for guiding her life. “No matter how many trials and obstacles I face, God has never left me alone. I thank Him for the continued opportunity to play even a small role in His service.”
Trans-European division: Andrea Szilvási-Csizmadia loves to dive into the texts of the Bible to preach God’s message. She began her ministerial work as an intern in 2009, getting her own district from 2011-2014 during which time she was commissioned. She then took time to care for two small children, returning pastor three churches from 2020-2013. Currently she is the pastoral coordinator for Adventist young people attending public Universities in Budapest and chaplain for the Theological Seminary as well as an associate church pastor. Her struggles to be respect as a woman pastor sometimes feel heavy but pastoral care conversations with young people are uplifting.
West-Central Africa Division: Harriet Ikhane Osaretin MA is a Theology teacher for Babcock University, Nigeria in the Department of Religious Studies. She her research topics include Missiology and religious education. She uses her teaching ministry to mentor, counsel, provide spiritual care, support, encourage, and empower ministers in training in fulfilling God's mission. Teaching has provided Harriet the opportunity to fulfill her calling and passion to witness to people: moving them from where they are to where God wants them to be. Though faced with some challenges and restrictions, Harriet presses on in God's strength and grace.
Free standing Unions: Куриляк Валентина Valentyna Kurylyak is Associate Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Church History and Vice-Rector for Research at the Ukrainian Institute of Arts and Sciences. She has an MA in Religion from Andrews University Seminary and a PhD from the University of Münster (Germany) in 2023. Her research centers on Adventist studies and church history especially the history of Protestantism in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. The most recent of her more than 50 papers is “Strategies of Religious Communication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Context of Russia’s War Against Ukraine,” Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe “Despite the challenges in this area of research, I will still note that those who take this path pave the way for their successors.”
North American Division: More women in the USA are the only minister for a church company. Some, like most pastors worldwide, split their time between multiple churches. Griselda Jobe covers both the Martinsville and Piney Forest churches in Virginia and was recently commissioned. Cathy Roberts Ward ministers to the Beaver City, Broken Bow, Holdrege, Kearney churches in the Kansas Nebraska Conf. It brings her joy to serving rural church communities and aging populations.Shintell Iquerdo led the Wapato Spanish, Granger Spanish and Central Valley Spanish Churches in Upper Columbia Conf. and started a new church company. She is currently working on her DMin at Gordon-Conwell Seminary.
Junia Awards 2024
East Central Africa Division: Mary Mburu. Kenyatta University, on the outskirts of Nairobi, has 70,000 students! The Adventist Church chose Mary Mburu to be Chaplain to the 3000 Kenyatta Adventist students. Led by the Senior Chaplain Dr. Kigundu Ndwiga, she runs a Week-of-Prayer every month. Twice a year during the holidays, students spread the message of the Seventh-day Adventist faith on mission trips. They learn valuable hands-on experience in ministry and leadership through community service projects, educational programs, health clinics, and evangelistic meetings. Mary’s passion for working with young people inspired her to pursue a master's degree in chaplaincy, majoring in public campus ministry at Adventist University of Africa. She attributes her journey to the Grace of God.
Euro-Asia Division: Elena Butova. From the age of 9 Elena searched for God in atheist USSR. At 15 she attended an evangelistic series becoming an Adventist. Discouraged from following her calling to ministry because of her gender, she became a physician. She married a pastor who encouraged her evangelistic talents. He gave her $500 to start a church. In one year, she established three churches with 129 baptisms! The Union then hired her as their evangelist. Elena led 1000 more people to Adventism! (half in Russia and half on mission trips) The young family moved to Australia where Elena completed a PhD in theology. She now leads one church while her husband leads another in Victoria, Australia. She is the author of three religious books.
(There are difficulties in communication and trust in contacting women educators and church leaders in the ESD. We are aware of multiple women who have answered the call of God to evangelize in the ESD and we will not stop trying to share their stories.)
Inter-America Division: Margaret Ramsarran of Guyana, became an Adventist in 1968 while working as a civil servant. She became Sabbath School superintendent, then youth leader, then head elder in her local church. She held her first annual evangelistic series in 1979 as lay preacher and over the last 40 years has converted hundreds. In 1990 she was voted director of the Education Department (a post she still held in 2023) and Associate Director of Church Ministries. She was commissioned as a pastor in 2010. She is currently 74 years old and still helps with evangelistic meetings. She has said “I thank God for using me to accomplish His purpose . . . Wherever He leads, I am ready to follow.”
Inter-European Division: Abigaela Trofin was born and raised in Romania. Her parents, having lost a son, dedicated their unborn child to be a pastor. What a surprise they had when the baby was a girl! She first completed a degree in law then religion in Bucharest. She has three masters’ degrees including one in Religious Freedom. In 2000 she moved to Italy and revisited her pre-birth dedication. There she has led in 12 church communities and now serves in Sicily. She follows her clear and engaging calling despite the difficulties and criticism and has found support from God, family, friends and fellow pastors.
Northern Asia-Pacific Division: Mongolia Mission is a busy place! And trying to shepherd a growing flock requires more shepherds. Two and a half years ago we knew of two women leading in Mongolia and now, thanks to an article by NSD picked up by the Adventist Review, we know that there are now 9! (Unfortunately, the women’s names were not included and requests to the Mission and Division were unanswered.) Eight of the women pastors attended a retreat in Dec 2023. “This milestone gathering not only celebrated women in pastoral roles but also laid the foundation for . . . a supportive network that will undoubtedly help their ministries in their local churches.”
South American Division: Fedra Pérez says ”I became a Seventh-day Adventist in my teens. I received a call, even before graduating from my theology degree, to be part of a team that planted a church where there was none. Then I started working as a chaplain in a K-12 church school in Argentina. I completed a postgraduate degree in mediation and conflict resolution to serve better. This training also allowed me to revitalize a church that was about to close. My focus in life is to see Jesus, which motivates me to wake up every morning and share Him with others. Despite the challenges as a woman serving as a leader of the church, I continue to obey my divine calling. Leading others to Christ is both a joy and a responsibility I am passionate about encouraging the spiritual growth of others and accompany them as if they were my own children.”
South Pacific Division: Joyce Kandawok Bale is a consistent soul winner and discipleship trainer in her rural area in Enga Provence, Papua New Guinea. She is not content just to entertain her local pathfinder and young adult groups but trains them to run evangelistic programs and give Bible studies. With them, she has converted hundreds to Adventism and started several new church congregations. Women lay workers are not often placed in leadership positions, but Joyce's hard work and leadership has led to her being named district youth coordinator.
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division: Tshepiso Anathi Mbele. Raised in Soweto (South Africa), Pastor Tshepiso studied theology at Solusi University in Zimbabwe and was commissioned in February of 2022. She has fostered several thriving church communities in the Trans Orange Conference, South Africa, where she is on the Executive Committee. She and her husband (also a pastor) have created several unique missions, such as the MMR Radio Station podcast, and The Boy/Girl Child Boot Camp Club. Her belief in the potential for young individuals to learn, assume responsibility and embrace faith is apparent in her vibrant youth ministry. It is not surprising several have asked Tshepiso to perform their baptism. Tshepiso is also an accomplished artist and author of three books.
Southern Asia Division: Sharon Roja Vakkanthula (Clinton) took her master’s degree in religion at Andrews University and is working on a DMin. She has been both the assistant leader of the Spicer Adventist University Church and an Assistant Professor in the Division of Religious Studies India since 2016. Teaching gives Sharon the opportunity to counsel, direct, encourage and empower future pastors at Spicer. Her passion is to share the Gospel and witness the transformation of individuals. She works with the Youth and Young Adults of our church to deepen their relationship with Jesus and help identify their strengths for ministry. “Being the first female pastor in India, my passion includes mentoring potential females for pastoral and ministerial work in India.”
Southern Asia-Pacific Division: Jadaza Hintay was an engineer when she became an Adventist in 1987. She worked initially led a Chinese-Filipino church in Manilla while completing her DMin on church growth in 2009, the first woman to complete that degree at Adventist International Institute of Advance Studies. She shone as a missionary/evangelist in Central Luzon Conference. Along with the traditional Adventist topics, “Sister Jade” molds health topics into the gospel making her message widely appealing. She recently became the director of Health Ministries at North Philippine Union Conference.
Trans-European Division: Joanna Krupa-Roszak leads in her church in Poland and loves being an evangelist. Being a part of the intense response to the massive displacement of women and children created by the war in Ukraine has rewarded them with many new members. 2023/24 has been a challenging year for Joanna’s work-life balance as she cared for her seriously ill child. She found when we live our lives out loud in Christian community those around us see that fear and questions are part of life, and that hope and God’s love are stronger yet. Joanna supports women's involvement in church life and wants to help them believe in themselves. Together with her congregation, she is creating an inclusive church with a place for families and small children, those with special needs and disabilities.
West-Central Africa Division: Samuelle Ngo Ikouba epse Nfor is senior chaplain for Babcock University’s Division of Spiritual Life. She provides spiritual care to students, mostly non-Adventists, as well as staff. Samuelle contributes to the development of the university’s strategic and spiritual master plan. She helps implement Week of Prayer and student service activities. As chaplain in the residence halls, she enjoys personally interacting with students. She also provides part-time spiritual care in the University teaching hospital. As chaplain she is affiliated with the Pioneer University Church; however, she primarily serves in one of the campus’ several worship centers. Samuelle is passionate about media ministry, hosting Bible studies on satellite TV/radio. She is married and is the mother of two beautiful children. Samuelle has a BA, MA and is working on a PhD in applied theology.
North American Division: There has been significant discussions about which cultures accept women’s ordination. We propose that acceptance has to do with exposure. Many cultural subgroups are recognizing God’s calling through women leaders. We have chosen to highlight women who have recently been ordained while leading in mainly immigrant communities. Maria Ejurango is the first Filipina in Filipino church at Waterman-Visayan Fil-Am church and Elina Camarena is the first Hispanic in a Spanish church (Paradise Valley Hispanic Church). Shiphrah Fepulea'i, the first Samoan, Therezinha Barbalho, the first Brazilian and Linda Biswas, the first Bengali-American, are also of note leading in mixed communities.