Seminars Speakers
Aaron Sikhosana
Aaron Sikhosana holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology and a Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy. He serves as a bi-vocational pastor with the BC Conference and works in private practice supporting individuals and families. With over 15 years of experience in counselling and community care, Aaron is passionate about helping people grow in emotional health, faith, and relationships.
Hanah Spence‑Haynes
Hanah Spence‑Haynes is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with Master’s degrees in Counselling Psychology and Public Health. She serves as a mental health clinician with Interior Health, where she supports individuals walking through loss, transition, and emotional hardship. Hanah’s work is shaped by her Christian faith and her belief that God meets people with compassion in their deepest places of grief. She is passionate about helping individuals rediscover hope, strength, and meaning as they move toward healing. Hanah is married to Pastor Moses Haynes IV, and together they are raising two daughters, Hope (11) and Elliana (9), who bring joy and perspective to her work.
Abraham Samudio
Pastor Abraham currently serves as the Discipleship & Evangelism Pastor at Church in the Valley in Langley, BC, Canada. He loves history and all things nerdy, as well as good food, working out, and spending time outdoors birding. Abraham is a certified Prepare & Enrich Trainer and holds certifications in Levels 1 and 2 of Gottman Couples Counselling Methods. He and his wife, Alyssa, have a passion for Young Adult ministries and love to create social and spiritual environments for people to connect together and encounter a loving Jesus.
Donn Leiske
Donn Leiske is an international seminar presenter on the subjects of country living and preparedness for future troubled times. As a lifelong educator, Donn and his family have been practicing the country living lifestyle for most of their lives, attempting to avoid the dangers of the large urban centers and enjoy the beauty and solitude of nature while being self-sustaining. Donn is an author of the books “Sustainable Country Living”, “Spiritual Preparation for the Time of Trouble”, and “When Will These Things Be?”. Leiske has produced over 500 videos on the “Preparing for the Time of Trouble” YouTube channel, hosts the website www.preparingforthetimeoftrouble.com and emails the End Time Updates.
Eddie Ramirez
Eddie Ramirez, MD (@EddieRDMD), is a medical doctor, research scientist, published author, and international speaker. He honed his outreach skills under the mentorship of Louis Torres and has
cultivated a global presence through affiliations with esteemed institutions such as Weimar University, Charles Drew University, and Sahmyook SDA University in South Korea. Dr. Ramirez’s primary research focus explores the transformative potential of nutrition and lifestyle in preventing and reversing physical and mental diseases, a pursuit he has advanced in collaboration with Dr. Neil Nedley for 20 years. This work has yielded over 168 scientific publications, which he has shared in person across 104 countries.
His contributions have garnered attention from prominent media outlets, including 3ABN, Hope TV, NBC’s Texoma, Telemundo—the leading Spanish-language television network in the United States—and Icelandic National Television. He is the author of the bestselling book Pandemic Busters, Blueprint for Revival and a co-author of the third and fourth editions of the Textbook of Lifestyle Medicine, alongside luminaries from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Additionally, he is a contributor of the book Rethink Food with lifestyle medicine experts such as Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Hans Diehl, and Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Passionate about disseminating a message of hope and healing, Dr. Ramirez continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Samuel Pagán
Dr. Samuel Pagán is an assistant professor in the Religious Studies department at Burman University. He served in pastoral ministry for two decades. He also served as an adjunct professor at both the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. In addition to his academic work, he has conducted numerous church seminars on Adventist theological and historical developments. Beyond his professional commitments, Samuel enjoys biking, singing, taking long walks with his wife, Carmen, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Sania Dookie
Dr. Sania Dookie, founder of Grow and Glow Ministry, has been supporting women of faith to reconnect with their God-given purpose, strengthen their spiritual connection with God and to live well, mentally, and emotionally.
In answering the call to support women of faith globally, Dr. Sania also serves as a Purpose discovery & Empowerment Coach, through 1:1 or group mentorship/coaching support.
She is the creator of the Total Woman Inner Circle program for women; a space for those who are ready to build their self-confidence, deepen their relationship with God and use tools and strategies to live well. She is on a mission to help women to recognize their worth in Christ and for them to be activated into His calling for them. She helps women to Grow and Glow.
Dr. Dookie is a native of Jamaica, and lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband and two beautiful children. She can be found regularly conducting seminars or workshop on how to live an abundant life in Christ through the way we live, including, restoring marriage and family life God’s way, gaining mental and emotional healing using God’s design and walking into the purpose God had given, unapologetically.
Dr. Sania is a trained doctor in Clinical Psychology and has been a mental health Therapist for over a decade. She currently practices out of her local practice in NW Calgary with her husband.
Andrea Nagy
Andrea holds a PhD, MA in Biblical Mission and Wellness, MA in Religion, MEd. and serves as a volunteer ambassador for Adventist World Radio in the BC conference. Her passion is to share the good news about Jesus with people of every age by utilizing every means to reach people where they are. She believes that we should use novel methods, technologies, and media platforms to reach the postmodern mind with the love of Christ.
Cell-phone evangelism is adapted to various social media platforms that you may wish to use for pursuing this ministry. The audio and video content of the devotional messages you will receive for cell-phone evangelism are available for both adult and youth audiences, depending on your preference. In the seminars for cell-phone evangelism training, you will be introduced to the dos and don’ts of pursuing this digital ministry. You can learn to become a seasoned and effective cell-phone evangelist in just a few sessions during the BC camp-meeting. Eternity will tell what God could do through you if you have a willing heart to serve and share Him! Be an instrument of salvation in the hands of God!
Brad Dennis
Brad Dennis, MSW, RCSW, is a member of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation from the West Coast of
Vancouver Island. His Huu-ay-aht name, Qwa uun nahs aht, means “from the place of the
chiefs.” He is a lifelong 4th generation Seventh-day Adventist who, guided by the Holy Spirit, seeks
to remain grounded in the Biblical truth of God’s love as Creator. Since 1997, he has served
intermittently in full or part-time ministry for three conferences within the NAD. He is passionate
about bible study and critical contextualization, helping Indigenous communities to understand
the Gospel in their cultural context. He is the Creator, Director, Producer, and Host of the Journey
Home: Sanctuary film series, available at https://journeyhome.world. He has over 24 years of
professional experience as a clinical social worker including adjunct and tenure-track faculty at
Portland State University and Walla Walla University’s Graduate Schools of Social Work. Brad is
deeply invested in his family life, nurturing a thriving marriage of 24 years, intentional about
relational parenting, and growing in servant-leadership for his cultural and spiritual community.
Denny Rumambi
Denny Rumambi was born in the country of Indonesia. In 2002, He began his denominational work in the Treasury Department at Southern Asia Pacific Division office located in the Philippines. In 2011, he then accepted a call to be the Academic Dean and Business Professor at Middle East University in Beirut, Lebanon. He was then appointed in 2015 as Secretary/Treasurer and to coordinate the mission work of the newly organized field of Turkey, Iran and Northern Cyprus which later renamed as West Asia Field located in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2019, he accepted the call to be the Treasurer of British Columbia Conference in Canada. Denny is passionate about evangelism and the mission of the church, and enjoying preaching and visiting church members around the conference. He is married to Gwendolyne Lumowa and blessed with three children, Sharlyn, Ryan, and William. Both Denny and Gwen are Pastor’s kid and born and raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Dianne Olino
Dianne G. Olino is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines with almost ten years of experience in the field of accounting. She has worked in various accounting-related roles in both the Philippines and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In addition to her professional work, Dianne has also served as treasurer for local churches in the Philippines and Dubai for six years.
Currently, she is working as an auditor for the British Columbia SDA Conference and is pursuing the Canadian CPA program to further develop her expertise in accounting and taxation
Allan Walshe
Dr. Walshe has served as a pastor, Conference and Union Departmental Director, a Conference and Union President, and as Head of the Department of Discipleship and Religious Education at Andrews University Seminary.
Dr. Walshe is a widely respected international speaker, known for his ability to translate deep concepts into transformative experiences with God, guiding us to interact more deeply in our spiritual journey.
Eli Rojas
Dr. Eli Rojas is the Associate Director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute, where he teaches in his key areas of passion—church growth, pastoral leadership development, lay mobilization, evangelism, and small‑group discipleship.
He brings over thirty years of pastoral experience, having served in the Chesapeake and Carolina Conferences, where he led multiple ministries and planted six churches.
Dr. Rojas earned his BA in Theology from Southern Adventist University, his MDiv and DMin from Andrews University, and completed a leadership certification with the John Maxwell Leadership Institute.
Emile Maxi
Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Education. I am a Grief Recovery Specialist, a High-Performance Life Coach, and a Prepare-Enrich Marriage Enrichment Facilitator.
Author of three books on emotional health and intergenerational trauma. I believe that far too often we allow the misfortunes of life to shatter our dreams while we could turn our misfortunes into fortune. It all depends on our attitude. I believe we cannot change our world until we change our attitude. By changing our negative attitude, the sky is no longer the limit – our potential becomes limitless.
Endi Stojanovic
Originally from Brisbane. Australia, Pastor Endi Stojanovic holds a degree in Biomedical Science from The University of Queensland and a Master of Divinity from Andrews university. He has served as a pastor in the Michigan Conference and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology while teaching as an Assistant Professor of Religion at Southwestem Adventist University. He has been married to his wife, Kristina, for seventeen years, and they have a young daughter, Sofia.
This seminar introduces last generation theology, explaining its significance, and explores the nature of sin and the human condition to better understand the need for salvation. It then examines the everlasting gospel, showing how God’s
plan of salvation is reveal,ed consistently from the Old Testament to the New.
It also looks at the nature of Christ, focusing on His divinity and humanity, and the
significance of His human nature. Finally, it considers insights from Ellen White, helping to clarify some of her more challenging statements within this theological discussion.
Kenia Reyes de Leon
Kenia Reyes-de Leon currently serves as Youth & Young Adults Ministries Director for the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. She has also appeared as a TV host on Hope Channel’s Bible Help Desk and as a regular anchor on Adventist News Network’s ANN World News. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Reyes de Leon has been deeply involved in youth ministry since her teenage years and continues to build spaces that amplify voices of the next generation for our church.
Jennifer Jill Schwirzer
Jennifer Jill Schwirzer, Is an aulhor, speaker, and professional counselor focused on the intersection of theology and psychology.
She holds degrees in religion and counseling, has authored multiple books, and has spoken internationally. She directs Abide Network and is involved in family life and mental health education through seminars, media, and coaching.
Ulric Hetsberger
Pastor Ulric Hetsberger is a minister passionate about leading people to God, guide by his motto: “Service, service, service – service to God and service to man”.
Born Georgetown, Guyana, he grew up in Barbados, where he was baptized and felt called to ministry. He studied Business Finance before switching to Theology, completing his BA at Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), and later earning a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in 2005.
He has served in various leadership roles,with in Community Service, Stewardship, Family Life, and Personal Ministries in the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He is married to Ruth Barnum, an educator, and they have twin ,daughters. Elizabeth and Grace.
Sonja Buchanan
Mrs. Buchanan is the Children’s Ministries Co-ordinator for the BC Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. She resides in Abbotsford with her husband Barry. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.
She, along with her husband, have been involved in Children’s Ministries for many years serving in the various Sabbath School divisions, Children’s Church, Puppet ministries, Vacation Bible School and Pathfinders.
Sonja’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Professional Development Certificate (Education), Extended Studies Diploma (Educational Media), Photography Certificate, and a Master of Arts (Educational Leadership) and is a Master Guide.
As the Conference Children’s Ministries Co-Ordinator, she is responsible for organizing the Children’s programs at Camp Meeting and helping local churches grow their children’s programs
Shannon Gerber
Shannon is an elementary school teacher who has spent many years teaching primarily Kindergarten-Grade 3 in British Columbia schools. She has extensive experience leading a variety of church programs, including Vacation Bible School, Camp meeting classes, Sabbath School, and Adventurers. Shannon seeks to find ways to support teachers, parents, and church leadership in providing developmentally-appropriate programming for their children, while prioritizing a playful Joy of Jesus approach for diverse learners and settings.
Bachelor of Arts (English & Anthropology)
Bachelor of Education
Master of Education
Desiree Harding
Desiree and her husband, Robert, live in Creston, B.C., where Desiree works as a nurse in the local hospital. Desiree has had a love for children ever since she was a young girl, and has been involved in Children’s Ministries within the SDA Church for the past 16 years. She has served in various capacities; including Children’s Sabbath School Teacher, Children’s Ministries at camp meeting, Vacation Bible School staff/leader and conducting Children’s evangelistic series. Desiree currently serves as the Children’s Ministries leader in her local church, including teaching Primary Sabbath School class, and enjoys serving with her sister as co-leader in the 0-2 division annually at camp meeting.
In her free time, Desiree enjoys visiting family and spending time with her husband hiking, canoeing, camping/backpacking, traveling, horseback riding, swimming, playing music, and snowboarding. Desiree also has a passion for sign language/deaf ministries and foreign missions.
RN Registered Nurse
Michelle Sangar
Michelle is the Children’s Ministry leader in Westminster SDA Church in Burnaby. Michelle lives in North Vancouver and has two children. They are both in university perusing careers in Medicine at LLU. Michelle also attended LLU and graduated as an Occupational therapy assistant in 1993. While attending LLU, she had the privilege of meeting her late husband Arun of 27years.
She started teaching Beginners and Kindergarten Sabbath school about 23 years ago when her first born was about one year old. In 2013 there was a need for a new children’s ministry leader
And she volunteered. Shortly after she did her first VBS and has continues to this day. About four years ago she started Children’s Sabbath and the Children’s Christmas party. In the last two years, she has started Children’s church and became co-director in Adventurers.
Michelle’s motto: It doesn’t matter what job tittle or position you hold. Both children and adults will remember you, by the way you treated them.
Occupational Therapist, Assistant
Nitza Salazar
Nitza Salazar, originally from San Francisco, CA, was raised in Mexico City and later lived in Costa Rica. By profession, she is a high school teacher and a dynamic speaker and educator with a passion for engaging and inspiring others.
Nitza is the founder of Special Stars, a ministry dedicated to serving children with special needs, and she currently serves as the Children’s Ministries Coordinator for the Idaho Conference. She has a deep love for children’s ministries and firmly believes that every church event should lead children to say YES to Jesus.
Beyond her ministry, Nitza is a devoted wife to a minister and a loving mother to two beautiful daughters. Her heart for children’s spiritual growth and inclusion continues to shape her work as she equips leaders to nurture the next generation in Christ.
Michelle Broomfield
Sis. Broomfield was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist church, attending its schools and serving at the age of 14 yrs. as an adult Sabbath School teacher. She’s served in several areas in the church including Communications, Youth, Sabbath School and Women’s Ministries. Michelle has a passion for working with children and developing the leaders and volunteers who work with them in local churches. She has worked with the Greater New York Conference’s Children’s Ministries for the past 17 years and is currently its director. She is committed to shifting and stirring minds and hearts towards a deeper long-lasting relationship and experience of God. In her down time, she loves to draw and paint, create learning opportunities for leaders and spend quality time with her family in Queens, NY.
Suleyma Montenegro
For more than 13 years, Suleyma has joyfully served in children’s ministries through the Sabbath School Department and Adventurer Clubs. Among her many roles, Vacation Bible School has always been her favorite season of ministry. Preparing each summer and watching children light up with excitement, laughter, and a deeper love for Jesus is the highlight of her year.
Suleyma holds a degree in psychology with a focus on child development, which has strengthened her ability to create safe and welcoming spaces for children. Her passion is helping kids grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially while discovering their identity in Christ. She brings energy, creativity, and joy into every activity, making ministry both meaningful and fun. She often reminds others that children are not only the future of the church—they are also its present. This conviction inspires her to pour time, love, and imagination into every aspect of her work with kids.
In her free time, Suleyma enjoys learning new things and cherishes spending time with her family, creating lasting memories together.
Bachelor Degree, Psychology
Sherri Uhrig
Sherri’s passion is that all our children have the opportunity to say yes to Jesus! She has worked in various areas of children’s ministries for more than 30 years, including conference Children’s Ministry director, daycare administrator, writing for faith-based preschool curricula, and kindergarten teacher . Sherri is currently the Children’s Ministry director for the North American Division.
Sherri has a heart for mission, serving in Guam and Palau with her pastor husband, Bob, developing curricula for the children’s outreach program, “Kids in the Park,” as well as child evangelism programs for use in Nicaragua and the Philippines.
Sherri is an alumna of Southwestern Adventist College and has a Masters in Children and Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary.
Sherri and Bob have two beautiful children and six amazing grandchildren … just ask them!
Tammy Martins
Tammy Martins was born and raised in Alberta, spent two years living in Ontario, and for the past seventeen years has called Saskatchewan home. She holds a Master of Business Administration and has worked for over twenty-five years in leadership roles within the healthcare and financial services industries. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to thoughtful leadership, stewardship, and serving people with integrity.
Tammy is married to Ricardo Martins, a video producer with Hope Channel Canada, and they have three children. Faith has been a central thread throughout her life, shaping both her personal journey and her work.
She is the author of the forthcoming book Designing Your Second Act and the founder of Next Chapter Life Design, where she helps individuals thoughtfully navigate seasons of transition and discern meaningful next steps. Tammy’s heart is to encourage women to live surrendered, faithful lives in every season.