Our Mentors
Our mentors serve a critical role in the Horizons program. They are the individuals that have a passion for Youth work and a desire to help further the vision of outreach to this important group.
Victoria Maame Esi Aidoo
Mentor - Ghana (English)
Victoria, currently serving as the Treasurer of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship (AABYF) is the First Woman to complete the Training from the Anglophone Countries in the Continent of Africa. She fellowships with Living Streams Baptist Church, Accra - Ghana. She is the Immediate Past President of the National Youth Ministry Executive, National Union of Baptist Students Alumni & Associates. She is Digital Transformation Specialist with Vodafone Ghana.
Attiogbe Didier Agebemadon
Mentor - Togo (French)
Didier is the Benjamin of our French speaking Mentors as he was the last to complete the training in October 2022 with brio and we believe he could do a great Mentor. One of the regular Sunday service preachers in his church, Jehovah Jireh Baptist Church of Trokpossime in Lome Togo, Didier earned a Bachelor Degree in Geography at the University of Lome. Passionate of sport is an official Football referee in the country.
Barnabas Gabriel Akadon
Mentor - Nigeria (English)
Ordained Minister with the Nigerian Baptist Convention, married with three (3) Children, Gabriel holds a National Diploma in Accounting, Bachelor of Theology from Baptist Theological Seminary Kaduna, Post Graduate Diploma in Education from National Teachers Institute Kaduna (PGDE), Masters of Arts Theological Studies from ECWA Theological Seminary Jos He is the former resident Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church Jibi Mopol Barrack Jos - Presently serving as a Facilitator with Rhema of Natives Missions, a Bible Translation Agency. Youth Pastor with Salama Baptist Church Jenta Adamu Jos
Oluniyi Akinbola
Mentor - Nigeria (English)
Member of Mission Director of Faith Baptist Church in Hwolshe Jos Nigeria, Olu does also serve as Vice President II of Plateau Baptist Conference within the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference. He is a Teacher of the Word and Disciple Making Champion.
M. Sharon Praisy Angel
Mentor - India
M. Sharon Praisy Angel is a member of Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad, India. She is actively involved in the church youth ministry. She is currently pursuing her Post Graduation towards a masters in Applied Finance at Hyderabad. Sharon Praisy is the eldest daughter of Mr. Muppasani Aaron & Mrs. Shyamala Aaron and lives in Secunderabad, Telangana, India.
Rev. Dr. Collings Aning
Mentor - Ghana (English)
Collins, is Collins currently the Chairperson of the Christian Education Committee of St. James Baptist Church in Kumasi -Ghana, and the Head of the Children’s and Teens Ministry, a position he held since 2014. He is also a Principal Optometrist at the Baptist Medical Center-Abuakwa in Kumasi. He has been practising optometry for almost a decade now. He was recently endorsed as a Recognised Minister of the Ghana Baptist Convention in August this year. He is married with two beautiful children. His hobbies are listening to choral music and playing football.
Ametepeh Agbelenko Apetogbo "Elias"
Horizons African Continental Director (Togo), Mentor - (English & French)
Elias is mentoring French and English youth leaders across Africa, He is establishing a training network for both Anglophone and Francophone countries across the continent as part of the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship, where he serves as the general secretary.
Ninie Denise Aklassou-Apetogbo
Children and Youth Mentor - English/French
Denise Ninie Aklassou, is a sociologist and Pastor's wife. Her passion for Children and Youth Ministry led her to create clubs to teach Youth, Teenegers and Children, how to pursue purity through a consistent prayer life and a concrete contact with the Scripture. She is leading Prayer Covenant Ministry in Togo her country. She is the first lady mentor for Horizons in both French and English in Africa.
Essonèya Asaph Assou
Mentor - Togo (French)
Pastor of El-Shaddai Baptist Church in Lomé, the Capital City of Togo, Asaph has a very long experience in the Youth Ministry throughout Youth Clubs in Schools and Universities. He is a teacher of the Word and is a Trainer in Christian Orality
Benjamin Bacso (Hungary)
Mentor - English & Hungarian
Benjamin is the youth director of the Hungarian Baptist Union. Benjamin has given visionary leadership to the youth of Hungary and working with his wife Barbara in training, leadership and strategic planning.
Barbara Bacsco Bandor (Hungary)
Mentor - English & Hungarian
Barbara and her husband Benjámin work together to give leadership to the Baptist Union of Hungary. Benjamin is the director and even as a busy mom three precious little daughters, Barbara is always to be found supporting and working with equal passion in giving training, encouragement and leadership to the youth leaders of Hungary.
Tigniyombor Kpalidja Céphas
Mentor - Togo (French)
The Horizons training program is an efficient one for the youth ministry. I must admit that from beginning the Horizons course did not seem something with much importance to me. But I finally realized, with more commitment on my side that this course has given me a new vision of my life and of the youth ministry. I am more determined and committed to leading many young people to Christ. Horizons has given me a lot of resources to handle the youth ministry. I thank the Horizons program for this jewel that it has put into our hands for the training of young leaders. And I do invite all the young people to intensively register for this training.
Kokou Comar Codjia
Mentor - Togo
TOrdained Minister of the Togo Baptist Convention - Lead Pastor of “La Moisson” Baptist Church in Lomé- Togo - Immediate Past National Director of the Togo Baptist Youth Department, Kokou is the Current Administrative Secretary of the Togo Baptist Convention.
Jacques Kossi Dagbegnon
Mentor - Togo (French)
The Horizons’ training is a blessing for me in my youth ministry and in my Christian walk. It has given me a clearer vision of the world of the young people. It has not only helped me to be more effective in my ministry, but it has also helped shape and improver my relationship with God. I lack the words to express the immense impact of this training. It is essential to go through this training in order to know its true value.
Caneal Ellis
Mentor - English
Caneal has been in working with children and youth ministry for a number of years in Trinidad. She is a Worship Leader, Youth Group coordinator, Sunday School teacher and coordinator for Jr. Church. In her spare time, Caneal enjoys colouring and listening and playing music.
Yanita Georgieva
Children's Horizons - Bulgaria (English/Bulgarian)
Yanita Georgieva has been in Children and Youth ministry for over 20 years. For the past several years she has also been involved in camp ministry and training children workers as well as in bringing the gospel to bikers. Her passion is to help co-workers develop their full potential for ministry among children and young people. Her mission is built on these three principles: include, disciple, send out.
Sergio Martin Guerrero
Mentor - Spain (Spanish)
Sergio has a love of teaching and helping to train others. He is the former Director of Youth Ministry for the Baptist Union of Spain and he and his wife Yolanda currently are pastoring the Baptist Church in Zaragoza (www.iebzaragoza.com). They have been married for 17 years and have a son named Dani. It was Sergio’s desire to see youth leaders enabled and trained in Spain.
Amos Kadessole
Mentor - Togo (French)
I successfully completed the Horizons courses, and I am one of the mentors in this program in the continent of Africa. I am happy, because with the Horizons’ Courses, which are sound courses of high quality , I have learned that leading groups of young people is an art, and like any art, in addition to passion, it requires learning, and that this learning necessarily involves knowledge of the culture of young people. Leadership with young people is quite sensitive and delicate, hence appropriate approaches are needed. From that moment on, I see young people differently and understand them much better than before. We are working alongside our brave leaders to enrol and coach as many young people as possible in this programme for a great and real impact with the help of the Lord!
Sukh Kohli
Mentor - India
Sukh Kohli is a member of the Redeemed Community, also called the Church at Thane, which is a house church. Besides being actively involved in the youth ministry of his church, he is a part of the Evangelical Union in Mumbai. Professionally, he is into English teaching, digital marketing, social media management, and content writing. With his Business Administration degree, he aims to develop education systems across India and provide access to affordable education. In his free time, he loves to travel, learn about different cultures and languages, write Urdu shayari, and meet people. He is all in for youth ministry as he believes there are lots of scopes to develop it further in India. As a young believer, he aims to reach out to as many youths in India and the world as possible with the Gospel of Jesus. His vision is to see many young believers of Christ coming out from India and the South Asian region to witness the world with God's love and grace.
Tigniyombor Kpalidja
Mentor - French
The Horizons training program is an appropriate one for the youth ministry. I must admit that from beginning the Horizons course did not seem something with much importance to me. But I finally realized, with more commitment on my side that this course has given me a new vision of my life and of the youth ministry. I am more determined and committed to leading many young people to Christ. Horizons has given me a lot of resources to handle the youth ministry. I thank the Horizons program for this jewel that it has put into our hands for the training of young leaders. And I do invite all the young people to intensively register for this training
Koffi Soke Kpomgbe
Mentor - English/French
Koffi Soke KPOMGBE, an accredited Translator and Interpreter in French English and German is very passionate about the Youth Ministry. He served the Togo Baptist Convention Youth as National Director 2006-2010 but also and one the Vice-President of the Baptist World Alliance Youth Department 2012-2017, while he was the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship.
Maria Lahoud
Mentor - Ukrainian and Russian
Maria has worked as a Sunday School teacher since 2004. Since 2006 she has participated in and led various summer camps/kids and youth programs in Ukrainian, Russian, English and Arabic languages in different parts of the world. Maria worked with “at-risk” children and youth in Ukraine. In 2009 she helped serve international youth in the Youth Praha group (Czech Republic). Starting in 2018, she became a part of the team that worked with children and youth in Beirut, Lebanon). At this moment, Maria is helping in the children’s ministry in Canada.
Pascal Lahoud
Mentor - Arabic and English
Pascal worked with international youth serving in the Youth Praha group (Prague, Czech Republic). He volunteered in several youth and children camps by running various sports programs. Pascal participated in the ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Ukraine. Pascal is passionate about using sports ministry as an outreach tool and has recently worked as a sports coordinator in one of the local Canadian churches. His sense of humour and his love for others is evident and infectious.
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Alvin Lau
Mentor - Canada (English)
Since 2000, Alvin serves with Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, most currently as the Youth Ministries Associate. He and his wife with two children are part of the Mimico Baptist Church family.
Paul Loko
Mentor - Togo (French)
Pastor who recently graduated from the West Africa Advanced Theological Seminary, Paul is the current Deputy Secretary of the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship (AABYF)
He is passionate Youth Minister and is a Musician.
Prashanthi Macha (India)
Mentor - English
Prashanthi Macha is the daughter of Paul Macha members of Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad. She completed her master’s in business administration and is residing in Secunderabad, Telangana State of India. She takes an active part in the music team and also volunteers for Youth for Christ - Hyderabad (YFC) giving her the opportunity to spread the Gospel. She recently took part in Walk for Freedom which was held globally. The fellowship in her church played a major role in shaping her spiritual life and also encouraged her to join the youth training program of the Baptist World Alliance.
Debora Magnoubela
Mentor - Togo (French)
Holder of a Bachelor Degree in Educational Psychology and Training, Debora MAGNOUBELA, member of Noèpé Baptist Church is, a real Passionate about youth and children's ministry. She was till January 2022 the President of the IFES , section of the University of Lomé (GBUST/UL). But she continued to organize their National Camp in October 2022, ending in all beauty her mandate on passing the baton over. Debora is a Trainer of Active Minister of children's club.
Michael Hamusira Muyenga
Mentor - Namibia (English)
Member of Ongulumbashe Baptist Church in Namibia, Michael is a Passionate worker with Youth. He is the current National Youth President of the Namibia Baptist Convention Currently doing his BCom in Law. He Works in car rental industry as a Technician and fleet controller.
Stefana Petrova
Mentor - Bulgaria (English/Bulgarian)
"Steffy" has worked with children and youth for over 20 years, both at church and as a school teacher. She was involved in camp work in Bulgaria. The Horizons program have given her an incredible opportunity to expand her personal horizons beyond local ministry and challenges children ministers to grow. What a privilege to be part of the lives of God's children!
Trésor Mbuende Masiya
Mentor - DR Congo (French)
Trésor is Member of the Communauté Baptiste du Congo CBCO. He served from 2014 to 2020 as Community President of the Association of Young Baptists of Congo (A.J.B.CO) of his community. He has been mentoring all the young people all over the country through several evangelical and social programs in order to guarantee the integral or holistic development of the youth.He is Initiator of an NGO called Cri des Jeunes et Femmes Vulnérables (CJFV) which works with disadvantaged youth and women. He is a Graduate in Business and Finances Studies choral music and playing football.
Jonas Kakenge Mbwenga
Mentor - Namibia (English)
Member and Vice Chairperson of “Kaisosi” Baptist Church in Namibia, Jonas is the immediate Past President of the AABYF Southern Africa President. He is the current President of the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship.Jonas is a Teacher and Political Activist.
Emilio Jose Cobo Porras
Mentor - Spain (Spanish)
Emilio Jose Cobo Porras was born in Cuenca in November 20th, 1975. He studied in Laboral Relationships Degree in Jaume I, Castellon. He made the decision to follow Christ as his disciple when he was 14 years old. He felt the necessity to serve the Lord in his local church and discovered his spiritual gifts through preaching and teaching. He currently serves as the national director for Baptist youth ministry in Spain. He is married to the lovely Solanye, and he has two beautiful daughters: Paula & Teresa.
Aruna Priya - (India)
Mentor - English
Aruna Priya is a member of Centenary Baptist Church Secunderabad, India. She is involved in the ministry of the church as a Sunday school teacher and as a youth leader. She is currently working as a teacher at Rishi Public school. Aruna is the youngest daughter of Thomas Joseph and Suvarna Rani and hails from Secunderabad in Telangana, India. She loves to be with children and young girls at church, counseling and guiding them. Organizes sleepovers for girls during a vacation to spend time in prayers, counseling, and discussions.
Baptist John Jaya Prakash - (India)
Mentor - English
Baptist John Jaya Prakash is a member of Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad, India. He is actively involved in the church ministries as the Youth Director, English Worship Service Convenor and Worship Leader. He is currently working as a freelance Digital Marketer in Hyderabad. A Commerce Graduate, John is the youngest son of Late Baptist Francis & Mrs. Manohara Francis and lives in Secunderabad, Telangana, India. He loves youth ministry as it gives him an opportunity to interact with the young people and inspire them to live for Jesus Christ. He spends a lot of time with the young Christian men which gives him a platform to understand and counsel them. He is very fond of Christian Music and is an avid reader.
Sundeep Raj Pulukuri "Sandy" (India)
Mentor - English
Sundeep Raj Pulukuri (Sandy), was born to the late Mr. Hanok Kumar and Mrs. Bala Tripura Sundari (Bala Hanok) and a member of Centenary Baptist Church, Hanamkonda, Warangal Urban, Telangana. Upon his open confession of faith in Jesus Christ, he was baptized at 18 years of age and started growing in faith and fellowship. His initial steps of learning and leadership began in the Youth Fellowship of his Church.
Prabhu Kiran Raj.G (India)
Mentor - English
Prabhu Kiran Raj.G is from Centenary Baptist Church, Hanamkonda. He is born to Uma Maheshwar and Mary who hail from Hanmakonda. He completed his ‘Master of Business Administration’. He is a very God-fearing young man. He likes to serve his church youth ministry and encourages the youth for preaching the Gospel for the unreached and has a great passion to involve the youth in the ministry. He is also a member of the Tricity Baptist Fellowship. (Warangal, Kazipet, Hanmakonda)
Sara Lobato Ruiz
Mentor - Spain (Spanish)
Sara is a caring and compassionate leader that has given leadership as the director of the Ministry of Baptist Youth in Spain for 6 years as well as a pastor in several churches of Valencia with her husband. She is also involved in counselling and has a deep love for young people. She is now helping the Youth Leadership team of Spain as a mentor to train leaders in Spain.
Dieudonné Sekazuba
Mentor - Rwanda (English)
Horizons’ training has enabled me to socialize not only with people of the same age but with various generations because the development of leadership of youth contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. In this training I got Leadership skills, such as goal setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making are needed for success in today’s world. Horizons’ training has enabled me to be responsible for building a sense of community within the church youth that can provide an opportunity for both spiritual and social development. I am ready to support and sound and appropriate relationships with the youth, the members, and their families in the church and within the community.
Achsah Seraphim (India)
Mentor - English
Achsah Seraphim is a resident of Telangana, India. She is the only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Alley Srinivas. She is involved in the Sunday school ministry as a volunteer and also takes part in various activities of the youth ministry. She also owns a blog for Young Christian Women on Instagram and Wordpress. She is pursuing her Bachelor's in Commerce from Loyola Academy, Hyderabad.
Maddi Amy Suhitha
Mentor - India
Maddi Amy Suhitha is a member of Centenary Baptist Church, Hanumakonda, India. She is actively involved in the Youth ministries as the Youth Member, Leads Youth Worship. She has done Intermediate and waiting for NEET counseling. Amy Suhitha is the eldest daughter of Mr. Kiran Kumar and lives in Hanumakonda Telangana, India. She loves Bible study & spending time in prayer, so that she can learn more about Jesus Christ. She spends a lot of time in listening to bible messages and playing piano. She is very fond of Christian Music and is an avid reader.
Kaluvuri Meshach Sunny
Mentor - India
Kaluvuri Meshach Sunny is a member of Baptist Church Yapral, Secunderabad, India. He is actively involved in Church ministries as one of the Youth leader and is involved in Multi-Media team of the Church. He is currently preparing for Government Sector Job. A B.Tech Graduate, K Meshach Sunny is the youngest son of Mr. Kaluvuri Victor Emmanuel & Mrs. Suvarna Victor and lives in Secunderabad, Telangana, India. He is a dedicated Youth leader, has strong leadership abilities and ability to build the rapport with the diverse young people around him as he can learn more about Christ. He spends more time in prayer, which gives him more courage, strength and the abilities to work more for God's kingdom through which Jesus Christ is glorified.
Jonas Vestlund
Mentor - Sweden (Swedish/English)
As well as working in his church as a youth leader, Jonas lives in Arvika, Varmland, Sweden (Close to the Norwegian border). He has been a Christian since autumn 2004. He works as an engineer (foundry and automation).
Gideon Sabu Washington
Mentor - Liberia (English)
Gideon , is Member of Effort Baptist Church in Liberia. He is the former National Youth Director of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention ( LBM & EC) and Immediate Past Treasurer of the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship (AABYF). Currently Gideon serves as President of the AABYF Western Africa. Accountant by Profession, he works with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation of Liberia.
Howard Wechuli
Mentor - Kenya (English)
Praise God. I would like to thank the Horizons’ family for the period I have been in the training. After the training I submitted my certificate to the NGO I was working with and indeed God worked miracles. After a month I got promoted to officer’s position. In the ministry, I am currently Assistant Director of the youth’s ministry, in my Church. This would not have been possible without such an important training I got from the Horizons’ program. God bless you all.
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Tete Kokou Adokou Woamede
Mentor - Togo (French)
I am happy, because with the Horizons’ Courses, which are sound courses of high quality , I have learned that leading groups of young people is an art, and like any art, in addition to passion, it requires learning, and that this learning necessarily involves knowledge of the culture of young people. Leadership with young people is quite sensitive and delicate, hence appropriate approaches are needed. From that moment on, I see young people differently and understand them much better than before. We are working alongside our brave leaders to enrol and coach as many young people as possible in this programme for a great and real impact with the help of the Lord!
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Tanya Yuen
Children's Horizons - Canada (English & Global Mentor)
Tanya serves the Baptists of Ontario and Quebec as the director of children ministry. She has a deep love and passion to equip children workers to reach out to families and children with the love of Jesus.
Jeff Carter
Director BWA Global Horizons
Rev, Dr. Jeff Carter serves as the Baptist World Alliance Director of HORIZONS. Jeff is a lecturer, researcher, and mentor in the area of youth ministry leadership development. He has almost nearly 30 years working in the area of his passion which is to equip, enable and encourage youth and youth ministry leaders to find and follow Jesus. Jeff previously ministered as Youth Ministry Training Coordinator and Advisor for the EBF as a CBM missionary for 16 years, a coordinator for youth ministry with IVCF of Canada and a youth pastor. Jeff's purpose in developing, the now widely accepted global program of Horizons, is to serve as a means to achieving his goal of providing needed resources in the culture, language, and accessible material gathered over the past 15 years of its existence.
