Camp Pugwash 2197 Gulf Shore Rd, Pugwash, NS B0K 1L0
Bible School Coordinator & Speaker for Hope Channel Canada
Paul Antunes is a dynamic and engaging speaker with a deep passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Born into a Portuguese immigrant family in Vancouver, BC, his own family was brought into the Seventh-Day Adventist church by the It Is Written telecast in the 70’s, sparking a lifelong commitment to evangelism.
With a degree in Theology and a Masters in Divinity, Paul has served as a pastor, chaplain, and singer across Canada and Brazil, making biblical truths clear and relevant. Now the Bible School Speaker and Coordinator for Hope Channel Canada, he prayerfully continues to point audiences with Christ-centered, hope filled messages on God’s love and plan for our lives. Paul and his wife, Raquel, have two children—Matheus, who loves filmmaking, and Miquela, who enjoys singing and writing songs for God.
Former Speaker/Director for the Voice of Prophecy Ministry
Pastor Shawn Boonstra is the former speaker/director for the Voice of Prophecy (VOP) ministry. His broadcasts, live seminars, and books have been a source of inspiration around the globe, and over the years, his live events have been presented on every continent except Antarctica.
Each week, he hosts the Voice of Prophecy’s flagship broadcast, Authentic. In this television and radio program, Shawn explores the existential questions of human experience, looking to examples from history and answers from Scripture to guide the way.
Shawn also traverses the globe to hold live meetings, including his Revelation Speaks Peace series, which reveals that prophecy can be understood and that it ultimately points to the hope we find in Jesus. He has held this series in places such as Rome, Portland, Phoenix, Andhra Pradesh (India), Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Seattle, Denver, Raleigh, and Calgary.
Prior to coming to VOP in 2013, Shawn served as an associate ministerial director at the North American Division, where his role was to inspire, train, and equip pastors and churches for evangelism. Before that assignment, he served for seven years as speaker/director for It Is Written International Television. In his early pastoral career, he served as speaker/director for It Is Written Canada and pastored a number of churches in British Columbia.
He currently lives in Loveland, Colorado, and enjoys any activity that gets him out doors and into the mountains, especially when his wife, Jean, can join him.
Associate Editor of Ministry and Associate Secretary of General Conference Ministerial Association
Jeffrey Brown was born of Jamaican parents in England and graduated from Newbold College (BA) and Andrews University (MDiv, PhD Religious Education, Family Life and Counseling Emphasis). He has served as a pastor in Canada, as the Bermuda Conference president and Family Ministries director, as the director of the Bradford Cleveland Brooks Leadership Center at Oakwood University, and as an editor of Family Life, a publication of the Adventist Association of Family Life Professionals. He now serves as associate editor of Ministry and an associate secretary of the General Conference Ministerial Association.
Jeffrey has 12 years of international experience. He served in the Trans-European Division as a pastor, Family Ministries director, and director of Pastoral Studies at Newbold College; worked as a school counselor for University College Birmingham and a relationships counselor for National Relate; and in the West-Central Africa Division as a student missionary teacher in Agona-Ashanti, Ghana.
He is married to Pattiejean (née McMahon) from Bermuda, a behavioral scientist and author of What on Earth Am I Doing? Leadership Lessons for Clergy Spouses. Jeffrey has authored Single and Gifted, and together they have authored Total Marriage, A Guide to Parenting, and The Love Seasons. They are blessed with two children, Kristle and Jamel.
Ministerial Director of the Ontario Conference
Frankie Lazarus was born in Huddersfield, England and migrated to Canada with his parents as a youth. He is married to Sharon Lazarus (née Tyne) and they have two grown children (Lamarr and Lachelle). He has a B.A. and a Masters in Divinity from Andrews University. He has served as the chaplain for Crawford Adventist Academy and as the assistant/associate pastor in several churches – Mississauga, Malton, Meadowvale, Toronto East, Berea, Toronto Perth.
He has served as the lead pastor of the Downsview, Malton, Mt. Olive, Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist churches. He assisted with the church plant for Ajax/Pickering now the Agape Temple with Dr. Maitland and established the church plant in Bolton. He has served as a youth director responsible for Pathfinders, Adventurers, Master Guides, Youth, and the Young Adults of the Ontario Conference for twelve years.
He is currently the Ministerial Director of the Ontario Conference and is excited about the possibilities of ministry and leading God’s people to an experience of complete discipleship. His motto for ministry is to be “a servant of God and friend to people”. The text in the Bible that he lives by can be found in Galatians 2:20 which says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Clinical Counsellor/Author/Former Pastor
Donald Straub is currently a registered and certified clinical counsellor with 14 years of experience. He helps clients with emotional problems, PTSD, addictions, and relationships. Don’s counselling draws on a lifetime of experiences. He has been a teacher, school principal, and a pastor. Don has traveled and worked in almost 50 countries. He has 4 married children and 13 grandchildren. He has lost 2 wives through death. Don has been a seven-time presenter on “It Is Written,” which promoted his book, “Bridges to Freedom: Creating Change Through Science and Christian Spirituality.”
Pastor of Bathurst SDA Company
Jacqueline Émile has more than 25 years of experience in leading, guiding, and ministering to church congregations in various capacities. Prior to her arrival in the Maritimes, she had been actively creating and leading a Center of Influence in Ottawa called the Centre d’Actions et de Services Communautaires CASC. At this center, she has participated in making health seminars, parenting seminars, personal financial seminars, French training and other services available to individuals in her community.
Aside from her experience in preaching during evangelism weeks, women’s retreats, weeks of prayer and on Sabbaths, she has also been a bible worker and was conducting an online ministry in the United States and Canada. She shares her faith and resources online to help people to grow spiritually, challenging them to participate in daily activities such as reading through the Bible and studying bible topics. Pastor Émile will be a graduate of the Andrews University Doctor of Ministry program.
Her DMin project aims to bridge community services with faith, embodying Christ’s method approach. She says, “My work’s key focus is empowering those seeking a deeper relationship with God, guiding them on their spiritual journeys with compassion and understanding.”
Youth Director/Pastor of Dartmouth SDA Church
Teddy Bagassien is a passionate pastor with nearly two decades of ministry experience. Born in Paris, France, to Caribbean parents, he brings a unique cultural perspective to his work. His ministry journey began as an undergraduate at Canadian University College, where he served as the Prison Ministries Coordinator. During this time, he led student groups to penitentiaries, organizing worship sessions with prisoners, which deepened his commitment to outreach.
Following his time at Canadian University College, Pastor Bagassien served in various leadership roles, including Youth Director for the Quebec Conference and Youth Ministries Coordinator for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. He has also served as the Children and Family Pastor at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, the campus church of Washington Adventist University. Pastor Bagassien is dedicated to guiding the next generation in their relationship with Christ. He is particularly passionate about empowering youth leaders and pastors to serve effectively, and he finds joy in seeing young people embrace their faith and use their gifts to impact others.
Ministry is also a family affair for Pastor Bagassien. His wife, Isabelle, an educator, also serves the church by volunteering as a trainer for the North American Division (NAD) Children’s Ministry. Together, they have been married for 22 years and have two daughters, aged 22 and 18, who inspire their devotion to both family and ministry. With a heart for service and a wealth of experience, Pastor Bagassien continues to lead others in discovering their God-given purpose and preparing for eternity with Christ.