What does it mean to live Connected to Love, Serve and Bless our future generations?

Florida Conference Director of Children’s, Singles’, and Family Ministries

She is a seasoned leader/teacher with more than 40 years of experience in helping children and families grow intellectually and achieve their greatest potential. As a Children’s Pastor with Advanced Certification in Children’s Ministry she has a passion to share Jesus to those she meets in her ministry. Judy and her husband, Kendall, live in Lakeland, Florida have two grown children: a son Kendall Smith IIand a daughter Kim (James) Lane who is the mother of her granddaughter, Kyndal. Her mission is to equipping children with Biblical truths in a fun and creative way and to create a safe place for all of our children: emotionally, physically and spiritually.  Making each child’s experience at church safe, fun and profitable in the process of growing. Judy’s goal is to mentor with God’s guidance through relationship and example.

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Florida Conference Associate Director of Children’s Singles, and Family Ministries

Dr. Efraín Duany Jr. was born in Havana, Cuba, into a pastoral family. Dr. Duany has dedicated his life and passion for serving Christ. In 1994, he married a beautiful Puerto Rican girl named Zoraida Colón. She is an outstanding woman who’s gifts, talents and characteristic smile have become his right hand in his pastoral ministry. The couple has two beautiful children, Jasmin and Samuel.

Today, he has a Doctoral degree in Ministry in Marriage and Family Therapy from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Duany is dedicated to building strong families and healthy relationships. His ministry provides free marriage and family counseling sessions, and support groups for couples who want to develop total intimacy. Dr. Duany is a man who is loved by those who know him because of his simplistic and friendly spirit, but especially, for his undivided commitment to Jesus. Dr. Duany has been in ministry for over 15 years and currently serves as the Associate Director for Children, Family, & Singles Ministries of the Florida Conference.

Ken Rogers is the Children’s, Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director for the Southern Union of Seventh-day Adventists. He is a seasoned youth and young adult warrior. His ministry experiences have helped to grow disciples at local churches, educational institutions as well as camp settings, and spiritual retreats. His clear presentation of the Gospel and humorous storytelling endears him to audiences both young and old. Ken and his wife Cheryl reside in Georgia. They enjoy traveling together, trying new types of food, and being grandparents to five wonderful grandchildren!

Claudio Consuegra joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1976. A graduate of Washington Adventist University, formerly known as Columbia Union College in Maryland, he met and married Pamela Napier and began serving as the Associate Director of the Family Ministries Department for the NAD. Prior to being elected Family Ministries Director for the North American Division, Claudio served as Ministerial, Evangelism, Communication, Ethnic Ministries, and Family Ministries Director as well as the Vice President for Administration for the Minnesota Conference. For three years he and Pam hosted a national call-in talk show on LifeTalk Radio. During his career as a pastor, Claudio served as a Law Enforcement Chaplain (CMC) and Critical Stress Management Specialist. After 9/11, he was deployed at Ground Zero, serving also after the 2007 Minneapolis bridge collapse. Claudio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Washington Adventist University, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling from Radford University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree, with an emphasis in Family Ministries, from Andrews University. He and Pamela have been married for more than 35 years and have two daughters, Diana and Hadassah, and sons-in-law, Greggory and Andrew.

Dr. Alanzo Smith is a Psychotherapist, and also the Executive Secretary of the Greater New York Conference. He is also Adjunct Professor of Andrews University. His wife, Dr. June is also Psychotherapist and Professors of Long Island College.

Ruber Leal is the Family Ministries Co-Director for the Texas Conference, Co-founder of ForeverONE© Ministries and the Associate Pastor for the Richardson SDA Church in Richardson, TX. He and his wife Ketty are on the road regularly conducting family enrichment workshops and retreats.

Brenda and Edwin DePaula make up a dynamic couple with 15 years of marriage; they’re proud parents of 12-year-old adventurous twins, Christian and Christopher. They reside in Allentown, Pennsylvania and are founders of Infinite Ministry, which provides a video collection of anecdotes, experiences, and lessons from their journey as a Christian couple and as a family.

Edwin earned a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Andrews Adventist University. For the last three years, Edwin has served as the lay volunteer pastor of the Allentown Adventist Community Church. Edwin is blessed with Brenda’s ministerial support, as she’s an expert in the development and implementation of communication and public relations strategies that facilitate collaborations between the church and community organizations to share the love of God and benefit those in need. For more details about the DePaula’s ministry, visit their YouTube channel: DePaula Infinite Ministry.

Dr. Gamaiel Feliciano is a pastor and a psychologist. Married to Lorna for 19 years. Father of Lorena and Naara, 17 and 14 respectively. Senior Pastor of SU Casa Church on the campus of Southern Adventist University, TN. Experience in all levels of mental health treatment. Specialist in Family Therapy and high-risk adolescents. He began preaching the love of Jesus at age 11 and does not plan to stop until Jesus returns. What he enjoys the most is seeing the people around him grow in all areas of his life.

Director Women’s Mininstries & Prayer Ministries for the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church.

She was born in New York and raised in Moca, Puerto Rico; and resides in Central Florida. She has been married for 33 years and has 2 young adult sons. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. She has a Doctoral degree in Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology. Dr. Pérez has participated in multiple service trips and mission trips. In 2013 she was selected to work with the United States President Emergency Program for AIDS Relief in Africa, PEPFAR, in Tanzania. She is the facilitator for “Hope for Hurting Hearts,” which is a retreat in Florida for domestic violence and sexual abuse survivors. In 2017, Dr. Annie Pérez was appointed to be the new Prayer Ministries and Women’s Ministries director for the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Church. Her passion is to talk about Jesus and what He is willing to do in our lives. 

New York City born Arnold Burton is a product of the New York City public School System. Mr. Burton has a B.A. degree in Psychology, and a M.S. in Specialized Education from Herbert H. Lehman College.

Now retired, Mr. Burton worked almost twenty-eight years in the NYC public school system at the Junior High and High School Level. He has taught in the Music and the Special Education departments. He has also served as a dean Crisis, intervention Counselor, and a grade leader. Mr. Burton also served as House Leader, School Success Leader, and Choral Music teacher, at M.S. 180 in Co-op City, Bronx, NY.

Mr. Burton has been involved in the development of several youth programs include mentoring, tutoring, fostering self-esteem, and academic achievement. At his home church, The Corona Seventh-day Adventist church, Mr. Burton also founded a rite-of-passage group entitled “Young Men of Purpose”

Mr. Burton has written a book for teenage youth. Entitled “The Successful Student Profile” Most recently, Mr. Burton has been building his Brand as a motivational speaker and life coach; he has founded a new project entitled – Empowering Brothers.

The Lord has provided Naomi with the skill and opportunity to mentor both our youth, young adults and adults in their life journeys. Whether guiding Pathfinders through a trail in Canada or mentoring soon-to-be wed couples as they realize their new life together; Naomi uses her talents as a facilitator to encourage and lead wherever she goes. She currently serves as a Lay Member with the Children’s and Families Ministries for the Florida Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists. Prior to these roles she spoke to incoming freshman at her college to ease the collegiate transition; helped develop her local Adventurer Club’s curriculum; has been a large-scale event planner for weddings as well as church functions; and has spoken at various Christian events across the country, including Children’s Ministries Leadership workshops, Vacation Bible School and training, Women’s Day events and Leadership workshops, with a focus on Women of the Bible, time management, and creating lasting connections.

Licensed clinical psychotherapist dedicated to the treatment of trauma, substance abuse, mental health disorders, and developmental disorders. In addition to working in the mental health care industry, Puentes has maintained an active private practice in South Florida. Her additional qualifications includes; Board Certified Sex Therapist (CST), Clinical Hypnotherapist (CHT), Qualified Supervisor (QS), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Master Certified Addition Professional (MCAP), Certified HIV Counselor, EMDR Authorized Provider, Emotional Freedom Techniques Provider (EFT), Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Trainer & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Provider.

Jose holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Secondary Education from Eastern Washington University as well as a Masters in Education from Washington State University. He has served as a church VBS director, a Sabbath School Youth teacher, and as a member of his local church board of elders. Jose lives with his wife Diana, both share a love of travel and exploration. 

Jonathan Mercill has a passion for all ages of our church. He’s lead Pathfinders, Adventurers, all ages of Sabbath School even cradle roll, Kindergarten Division at Campmeeting and is a Cubbies Summer Camp Pastor. He has a Bachelors of Religion from Union College and a Masters of Divinity from Andrews Theological Seminary. He enjoys spending time with his family, studying and teaching survival skills and other outdoor activities. He’s been married to Erin for almost 16 yrs and they have 3 children. 

Dr. Octavio Ramirez serves as Chairman of the Social Work program at Oakwood University. He holds clinical licenses in the State of Alabama and Tennessee and provides mental health services in Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Ramirez acquired undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from Rutgers University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Services with a specialization in clinical social work from Walden University. Dr. Ramirez conducts research in the areas of mental health, religiosity and family life. For the past six years, Dr. Ramirez served on the Commissioner of Accreditation for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in Washington D.C. He was recently appointed by Governor Kay Ivey of the State of Alabama to serve on the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners to help regulate social work practice in the State of Alabama. His presentation entitle, “Raising God-Fearing Children” will include content from his recently published research study.