Gerson P. Santos

Disciple-making and the Seventh-day Adventist Church – Historical Insights, Methodological Shifts, and Missiological Effectiveness • Thusday • 7–8:30 PM

Gerson P. Santos, recently re-elected as an associate secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the 2025–2030 term, is a powerful and experienced speaker ready to inspire our conference attendees. With deep roots in Brazil and extensive service both domestically and internationally, Dr. Santos brings a significant focus on global mission and discipleship. His core responsibilities at the General Conference include overseeing the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual and, critically for our students, leading the church’s worldwide Disciple-Making and Reclaiming initiatives. As a seasoned administrator with a strong academic foundation—holding a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University and pursuing a second DMin in church planting from Fuller Theological Seminary—he offers a unique perspective on integrating theological education with practical, cross-cultural leadership. Come hear from an international leader who is passionate about empowering the next generation to engage in effective, global discipleship.

Download Abstract

Gilbert Cangy

Keynote: “Rehearsal at the Jordan” • Thursday • 7–8:30 PM

Gilbert, currently serving as Director of the SPD Institute for Discipleship began his denominational work as a local pastor in the State of Victoria in 1988, before being called to be Youth Director for the Greater Sydney Conference in 1993. In 1999, he was appointed as the Director for Youth Ministries for the SPD and after a short return to the local Church in 2010, he was called to the General Conference as Director for Youth Ministries in the same year. 
Gilbert returned to Australia in 2016 for family reasons and pioneered the position of Pastoral Services Manager for the Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Group from 2016-2022 before being recalled to the SPD in 2023 to ideate and set up the Institute for Discipleship.
Gilbert holds a BA in Theology from Avondale University, an MA in Youth Ministry from La Sierra University and a Doctor in Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Gilbert is married to Rosemay and they have two adult children, Joel & Emilie and a grandson, Theo.

Download Abstract

Edyta Jankiewicz

PLENARY: Discipling Older Adults • Friday • 9–10 AM

Edyta Jankiewicz, PhD, currently serves as Family Ministry director at the South Pacific Division (SPD). Previously, she has served as Associate Ministerial Secretary at the SPD and Assistant Professor in the Discipleship and Religious Education Department at the SDATS (Andrews University). 

Download Abstract

Steve Case

Components & Influencers of Discipleship in SDA Young People • Friday • 10:00 AM

Steve loves God and he loves people.  He considers these two ingredients to be the basic qualifications for ministry.  He resides in Carmichael, California, where he's president of Involve Youth, which energizes young people for service, a supporting ministry of the SDA Church.  Dr. Case is an international speaker, trainer and author.  For more than 40 years he has served in various capacities, such as a youth pastor, seminary professor, resource creator, and guest presenter. Steve leads Maranatha’s Family Project and coordinates the Intergenerational Church concentration for the Andrews University Doctor of Ministry program. He also creates resources such as Relational Bible Studies (RelationalBibleStudies.com) and Revelation studies (Revelation101.com). Dr. Case served as the co-investigator of the original Valuegenesis study. He eats and exercises on a regular basis, and also has taken up the trendy sport of pickleball.

Download Abstract

Jasmine Fraser

A Matrix of Discipleship: Understanding the Integrated Roles of the Home, Church, and School in Lifelong Faith Formation in Adolescents • Friday • 10:20 AM

Jasmine J. Fraser currently serves as Associate Professor of Discipleship and Religious Education and Director of the PhD (Religious Education) Program at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. She is an educator, a mentor, a servant of God, and a friend to humanity. Mindful of the call to be a bond servant of Jesus Christ, her desire is to experience the ongoing life-changing power of the Spirit of God and to be a source through which the power of God brings hope, healing, and comfort to others for the cause of Christ.

Download Abstract

Ben Martin

The Biblical Imperative of Developmental Discipleship • Friday • 10:40 AM

Pastor Benjamin Martin is transitioning from his ministry at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University to serve as the pastor of the Stevensville Seventh-day Adventist Church. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree with a focus on discipleship and intergenerational ministry. His ministry is deeply centered on helping people—especially families and young people—grow as intentional followers of Jesus. Pastor Martin is passionate about creating spaces where faith becomes real in everyday life and where disciples make disciples.He enjoys connecting with people, spending time in nature, and exploring creative ways to help the church live out its mission in the community. Pastor Martin and his family are excited to partner with the Stevensville congregation in nurturing a growing, Christ-centered movement of disciples.

Download Abstract

Kristina Freed

Divine Attachment, Developmental Outcomes and Wholistic Discipleship • Friday • 11:00 AM

Kristina is passionate about sharing the love of God whenever and wherever she has the opportunity. She has recently completed a post-doc fellowship in Old Testament Studies at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. She is currently working on turning her project, a theology of divine attachment, into a book. Her studies have provided her with the opportunity to serve as a consultant, presenter, study leader, Sabbath speaker, guest lecturer, and adjunct professor of Discipleship and Religious Education.
Outside of academia, Kristina enjoys traveling (particularly to the ocean or mountains), hiking, and reading. She and her husband, Darren, have three young adult sons. 

Download Abstract

Ingrid Weiss Slikkers

PLENARY: Trauma Informed Disciple Making • Friday • 2–3 PM

Ingrid Weiss Slikkers, LMSW, CCTP, has been a social worker since the early 1990s and joined Andrews University’s School of Social Work in 2016. She has extensive experience as a child and family therapist specializing in trauma, loss, and multicultural work, particularly with Latino communities. Formerly a program manager at Bethany Christian Services serving immigrants and refugees, she now leads the International Center for Trauma Education and Care.   A Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and TBRI Practitioner, she is passionate about the intersection of faith, science, and healing.

Charity Garcia

PLENARY: Trauma Informed Disciple Making • Friday • 2–3 PM

Charity Garcia, PhD is Director of Curriculum & Instruction Programs and Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction at Andrews University’s School of Education. She is also the Director of K-12 Education Initiatives for Andrews University’s International Center for Trauma Education & Care where she provides trauma-informed training for education professionals and families. Dr. Garcia's research interests are the intersectionality of spiritual development, trauma informed practice, neurodiversity, and education. She is a Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner (TBRI). 

David Sedlacek

Trauma’s Impact on Pastoral Discipleship • Friday • 3:00 PM

David is currently a Sr. Research Professor at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University where he served as Professor of Family Ministry and Discipleship and Chair of the Department of Discipleship in Lifespan Education. He received his master's and doctorate in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He has worked in various settings, both public and private, as a clinician, researcher, teacher, pastor, chaplain, and administrator. He has worked extensively in the areas of addiction, trauma, relationships, marriage, and family.
He is a Certified Family Life Educator and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Together with his wife, Beverly, he has written a book entitled Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing along with its accompanying workbook.

Dustin Young

Discipling those in despair: responding to suicidal desperation with compassion and faith • Friday • 3:20 PM

Dr. Dustin R. Young is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (DSW, LCSW, MSW), Assistant Professor at Andrews University and Director of Strategic Initiatives with the International Center for Trauma Education and Care. She began her career working with teens and families in a wilderness residential setting in Idaho and then to community mental health on the coast of Oregon. She continues to collaborate with school districts of all grades, youth, families, children, community crisis response, and trauma–informed education with EMS responders. She focuses on supporting schools, EMS responders, and churches with mental health education, suicide prevention, trauma-informed practices, and creative skills implementation in classrooms. In her spare time (she really does have a little bit of it), she is trying to learn to crochet, enjoys her puppy dogs, and exploring new places.

Jose Bourget

Discipleship in Chaplaincy: A Ministry of Transformative Presence  • Friday • 3:40 PM

Jose Bourget is a dedicated spiritual leader who has spent over 15 years fostering meaningful faith engagement at Andrews University, culminating in his role as Lead Chaplain and Assistant Vice President for Faith Engagement. A former Andrews undergraduate, Bourget was a key student leader who co-founded the influential and culturally blended "Fusion" worship service, underscoring his lifelong belief that students must take the initiative to "create the experience that you want." His extensive ministry service at Andrews includes roles at the Center for Youth Evangelism and as Executive Pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church before assuming the Lead Chaplain role in 2020. Throughout his tenure, he has been a vocal supporter of the Student Movement, witnessing and respecting students who advocate for change, and he passionately argues that the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamentally Biblical. Bourget departed to serve as a chaplain for Beacon Health System, where he now focuses on mentoring, strategic planning, and building community with those on the "outskirts" of the church. He continues to champion the values of strong, data-driven, and student-centric spiritual experiences in his new role.

Willis J. Byas

Safe to Grow: Urban Trauma-Informed Disciple Making • Friday • 4:00 PM

Willis J. Byas, LLMSW, is a man on a mission—to restore hope, rebuild broken lives, and reignite purpose in people who’ve been battered by life but not defeated. Born and raised in New York City, Willis understands the silent battles, the buried pain, and the pressure to always appear strong, yet his life stands as living proof that true strength is found in vulnerability, service, and faith. As a pastor, a Reserve Police Officer, and a behavioral health therapist, Willis stands in the gap for anyone who feels lost, broken, or forgotten. His calling is to walk with people through pain, trauma, and despair toward healing, helping them rediscover their worth and the power of their God-given identity. A two-time graduate of Andrews University with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Social Work, Willis approaches therapy as a ministry “rooted in HOPE,” believing that no matter one’s past, everyone can live free, love deeply, and lead with integrity. Through years of mentoring youth in schools, group homes, and refugee communities, he has developed a bold yet compassionate voice that challenges all people to rise, to love, and to live with purpose. Whether in the pulpit, on the streets, or in the counseling room, Willis brings healing to the hurting and strength to the struggling, reminding this generation that hope is still alive and restoration is possible. Outside his work, he finds renewal in hiking, biking, gardening, and skydiving, grounding his life through prayer, scripture, and stillness—because even strong people need quiet places to grow. 

Jiří  Moskala

Keynote: “The Journey of Discipleship: Seeing the Face of God” • Friday • 7–8:30 PM

Jiří Moskala, ThD, PhD, serves as Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and Professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology at Andrews University, where he has been a faculty member since 1999. Before joining Andrews, he served the church in the Czech Republic as an ordained pastor, administrator, teacher, and principal. Dr. Moskala is an active member of several theological societies and has authored and edited numerous scholarly articles and books in both Czech and English. He has also participated in multiple archaeological expeditions at Tell Jalul, Jordan.

Download Abstract

Rick McEdward

Devotional • Sabbath • 9:00 AM

Dr. Richard "Rick" McEdward is the newly elected Secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA), a position he took on in July 2025. He is an experienced missionary and leader with a background in missiology and a history of service in the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions. Before this appointment, he served as the president of the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission since 2016.

Boubakar Sanou

PLENARY: Living Out God’s Call in a Hostile World — Discipleship in 1 Peter • Sabbath • 9:20 AM

Dr. Boubakar Sanou is a native of Burkina Faso, a French-speaking country in West Africa, where he served as a pastor for twelve years. Before pursuing doctoral studies, he worked as Gospel Outreach and Global Mission Coordinator for the Burkina Faso Mission. Dr. Sanou holds a BA in Theology (Andrews University, 1999), an MA in Pastoral Studies (Newbold College, 2005), a Doctor of Ministry in Global Mission Leadership (Andrews University, 2010), and a PhD in Missiology and Christian Leadership (Andrews University, 2015). He currently serves as Assistant Professor of World Mission at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, and as a lead teacher in the Doctor of Ministry program.

Petr Činčala

Why They Leave, How We Love • Sabbath • 10:05 AM

Petr Činčala, PhD, MSW, MDiv, born in former Czechoslovakia, is an associate professor of Missions, director of the Doctor of Intercultural Studies program, and head of the Institute of Church Ministry at Andrews University’s Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. He also serves as the president of the Global Adventist Human Subject Researcher’s Association. Činčala has published dozens of articles and research reports, edited several books—including A Fresh Look at Denominational Research: Role, Impact, Scope—and is actively involved in academic organizations such as the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Faith Communities Today, the Great Commission Research Network, the Adventist Society of Religious Studies, etc. 
In addition, he supports church revitalization efforts as a national partner for Natural Church Development in the United States and the Czech Republic and is the executive director of the Journal of Applied Christian Leadership. Činčala and his wife Daniela have four sons; two are married and involved in ministry, while two are single and pursuing their studies. 

Edgard Leonel Luz

Active Discipleship in the 10/40 Window: The Transformative Role of the Adventist Education in the 21st Century • Sabbath • 10:40 AM

Pastor Edgard Leonel Luz is an ordained minister and educator with over 30 years of experience in Adventist education. He served for 11 years as Director of Education for the South American Division, where he led the development of curriculum, leadership training, and educational innovation across multiple countries. As one of the directors of the Brazil Publishing House (Casa Publicadora Brasileira), he coordinated the creation of textbooks and learning materials for Adventist and non-Adventist schools. Currently, he serves as Director of Education for the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, overseeing Adventist education in eight countries: Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Passionate about the mission of Adventist education, he integrates faith, learning, and discipleship as inseparable dimensions of a holistic journey that transforms lives for service and eternity.

Download Abstract

Rogelio Paquini

Navigating Discipleship Across Generations • Sabbath • 11:10 AM

Rogelio served as a pastor for 25 years. Since 2021 he has served as assistant professor of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Andrews University. As part of his responsibilities, he directs the Youth and Young Ministry MA program. He loves to tell stories and is passionate about making the Bible relevant in today’s world.

Scott R. Ward

Resources for the Road • Sabbath • 4:30 PM

Dr. Scott R. Ward completed his Doctor of Ministry in Discipleship and Biblical Spirituality at Andrews University in 2014. He also holds a Master of Arts in Youth and Young Adult Ministry (MAYAM) from Andrews University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Ward is passionate about revitalizing Adventist education by helping Adventist schools become vibrant centers for God’s presence. Throughout his ministry, his commitment to collaborative leadership has inspired churches and schools to work more closely together, creating spirit-filled communities dedicated to advancing God’s kingdom.

Join the Livestream on Zoom

https://andrews.zoom.us/j/95635962849

click the link above for the livestream

Join on Zoom