DEPARTMENTAL STAFF CHANGES
Gloria Becker Named Associate Director for Estate Services
Gloria Becker rejoins the Conference staff after an absence of thirteen years, during which time she served as Principal of Forest Lake Academy in Apopka. She was voted as Associate Director for Estate Services by the Executive Committee on December 11, 2012, and began her new position in February 2013. Previously, Gloria served as Florida Conference Executive Secretary.
She enjoys reading, crafts, and traveling. Three children make up the Becker household: Devin, Ryan, and Kristin.
Gloria is fluent in English and Spanish. “I would like to assist people in understanding the importance of planning their estates,” says Gloria, “with the underlying knowledge that all we have belongs to the Lord. I have experienced the blessings of estate planning through the loss of my spouse, and I praise God for His guidance in this process.”
Gilberto Borges Named Associate Director for Publishing
Gilberto Borges was voted an Associate Director for Publishing on February 5, 2013, by the Executive Committee. He began denominational work as a literature evangelist in Brazil for 12 years before coming to Florida Conference where he has worked 25 years.
Gilberto was recently awarded as the top literature evangelist in cash sales for Florida Conference, Southern Union Conference, and North American Division.
He keeps fit by playing soccer. His wife, Silvie, is a Staff Accountant for Florida Conference. They have a son, Wallace, and a daughter, Nathalie, who both attend Andrews University and help fund their education through the literature work in the summer MagaBook program.
“My goal is for each church to have one or two literature evangelists,” says Gilberto, “and I wish each one may succeed financially and strengthen their faith until the coming of the Lord.”
Anwar Bowes Named Associate Director for Publishing
Anwar Bowes was voted as an Associate Director for Publishing by the Executive Committee on February 5, 2013. The Florida MagaBook program is his major responsibility.
In one aspect of his work, he will visit colleges and invite students to join the literature program and sell MagaBooks in order to earn a scholarship toward furthering their education during the summer as well as during the school year. He will also be involved in training the students and working with them throughout the state of Florida.
Anwar graduated from Antillean Adventist University, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, in December 2012, with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. For 11 years, he has spent his vacations working with the MagaBook program as a student and then as a leader. He attributes this program to teaching him the leadership skills necessary for this new position.
Allan Machado Named Vice President for Spanish-language Ministries
Allan Machado was voted by the Executive Committee on February 5, 2013, as Vice President for Spanish-language Ministries and began his duties on March 11. He replaces Abel Paulín who continues as Evangelism Director. This change will enable Paulín to place more emphasis on church planting.
Since 2010, Allan served as Lay Pastor Director for more than 60 lay pastors in Florida Conference. Prior to that appointment, he was a pastor at Hialeah Spanish Church and a lay pastor in Miami.
Allan enjoys reading and sports activities. His family includes his wife, Elsa, who is employed at Greater Miami Adventist Academy, and two sons, Alan and Erich.
His desire with this new position is “to equip and motivate pastors to advance the cause of Christ by effectively reaching the Hispanic community in the context of their challenges and needs.”
John Pawson Named Service Center Director
John Pawson was advanced to the position of Director for the Service Center by the Executive Committee on February 5, 2013. He began Conference employment in November 2008 as an Office Assistant and then as Service Center Manager in 2010.
Previously, John was employed in purchasing at Regal Marine in Orlando, vice president for materials and logistics at Chris Craft Boats in Sarasota, and in purchasing at 52 Yachts in Holland, Michigan, for 22 years.
John loves to camp and has recently taken up kayaking. His wife, Patricia, is an Office Assistant for A New Step Prosthetics in Apopka. They have two sons: Jonathan and Christopher.
“The goal of the Service Center,” says John, “is to maintain the Church’s property in top-notch condition and to provide the best customer service to Conference departments, walk-in guests, and churches using good stewardship principles.”