MAIN SPEAKER

Born in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, Agustina Luvis Nuñez holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a certificate in medical technology from the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras Medical Sciences Campus, a Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, and a master's and PhD in systematic theology from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She is currently associate professor, dean of academic and student affairs, and director of the Doctor of Ministry program at PR Evangelical Seminary. She has worked as a medical technologist for 40 years in hospitals and private clinical laboratories, as well as a supervisor and director. She is a member of the board of directors of Taller Salud, a non-profit organization that works in the eastern area of PR with problems such as gender violence, racism, school dropouts, street violence, health, recovery of communities from natural disasters, etc. She has lectured and written articles on the topics of gender, race, and their intersections with theology.

MAIN SPEAKER

Deivit Montealegre has dual Colombian and Argentinian citizenship. He is a Ph.D. candidate studying economic theology and decolonial thinking at the Toronto School of Theology, Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto. He holds a master’s degree in theology from the same university, a bachelor’s degree in theology from the UNIBAUTISTA in Cali, Colombia, and is specialist on ecumenical studies and interculturality from the University of Geneva and Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. Deivit is the former Programme Executive of Globethics.net South America.

Deivit has served as professor at the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics & Management for an Economy of Life of the World Council of Churches and as Educational Consultant at the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (2018, 2022) of the same institution. As a researcher, he leads initiatives on ethics in higher education, ethics and economics, and theology and economics. He is author of several academic publications on ethics, religion, and economics. Currently, Deivit work as Teaching, Research, and Program Coordinator for the Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning at the Canadian Council of Churches.

MAIN SPEAKER

Rubén David was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, his homeland, and eternal love. He is a member of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico where, for years, he has distinguished himself as a leader. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus, and earned his Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico with Magna Cum Laude distinction, receiving recognition for his work in Homiletics. He participated in postgraduate courses held in Arusha, Tanzania, and Matanzas, Cuba. Throughout his academic journey, he has offered conferences and lectures on the subjects of gender, colonialism, and Latin American liberation theology in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Rochester, New York, Toronto, Canada. Additionally, he has contributed op-ed columns to local newspapers, and his scholarly work entitled "Out of the Closet: Homosexuality, Colonialism, and Mission" was published in the book "For those who wish to hear: Emerging theologians on Evangelism and Mission" in the year 2019. Rubén David's focuses on the fields of masculinities, gender, decolonial thinking, Latin American liberation theology, and the examination of new possibilities for re-imagining God within a framework of justice and peace. He currently holds the position of Editor-in-Chief of BPFNA's Baptist Peacemaker magazine and is in his third year of doctoral studies in Theology at the University of Toronto in Canada, where he resides with his wife Leslie and daughter Beatriz.

PREACHER

Rev. Doris Garcia-Rivera is an ordained Baptist minister of the ABC - Puerto Rican Baptist Churches since 1990. Doris’ interests are in Interculturality, Ancient Near Eastern culture and Prophetic speech analysis and literature. She enjoys science fiction, writing and hearing music. She is a proud white Afro-descendant Puerto Rican woman and mother of three adults.

Rev. Dr. Doris Garcia Rivera is present Academic Coordinator for Lilly's Pathways for Tomorrow Grant at Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS). She is also part of the Contingent Faculty of LTS in Old Testament, and Missions and Evangelism. Doris also collaborates as a sage and mentor in the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI) Latinas in Leadership Program .

Doris is passionate about a teaching-learning process that empowers spiritual and human dignifying experiences. As a result, she has served educational, church related and nonprofit organizations for over two decades. Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico (2014-2019) as the first Hispanic president woman. BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz (2019-2022) as Interim Executive director. As a Missionary of International Ministries of American Baptist Churches (IM-ABC) (1990-2013) worked in the development of educational, theological and social programs centering indigenous communities in Mexico and Afro-Costa Ricans. In collaboration with other missionaries, nonprofits and churches she developed the Seminario Intercultural Mayense (SIM).

Doris is a frequent conference speaker, teacher, and workshop leader throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Central America collaborating with a variety of journals and digital spaces.

PREACHER

Rev. Abigaíl Medina Betancourt is the National Coordinator for Intercultural Engagement at American Baptist Home Mission Societies. In this position, she encourages sensitivity to cultural awareness, supports ministries in multicultural and intercultural contexts and works to strengthen American Baptist leaders’ capacity to implement effective ministries. She has served as Puerto Rico Volunteer Coordinator for American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ Rebuilding, Restoring, Renewing Puerto Rico” initiative from 2018 to 2020. And from 2021-2022 she was called to serve as the full-time Intercultural Ministries strategist.

She has served in short-term mission in Thailand, Haiti, and the Republic of Georgia in addition to speaking at theological ecumenical encounters in Tanzania and Brazil. Her passion for mission defines every aspect of her ministry. In 2018, she earned a Master of Divinity degree at Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico and in 2020 a certificate as Project Management Professional (PMP ® ).

PREACHER

Rev. Héctor Soto is currently pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Caguas, Puerto Rico. He completed several academic degrees: Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from the University of Puerto Rico, Master's Degree in Educational Management, Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix and Master's Degree in Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico.

His professional, ecclesial and missionary experience has consisted of a trajectory of more than 20 years. As a teacher in educational programs, as a pastor in several Baptist churches in Puerto Rico. In the missionary area, he has collaborated with several missionary groups, such as ABHMS and its program Rebuilding, Restoring, Renewing Puerto Rico.

He is a lover of all sports, being his favorite baseball. In times of pandemic and distancing and hand in hand with other servants of God, establishes dialogues with the people through social networks and media through the Tu Conexión 21 Project. Married to Heidi Mir Rivera and has two children Camila Angélica and Diego Isaí.

LITURGY

Rev. Gerardo Oberman is a songwriter, poet, and pastor in the Reformed Churches in Argentina and current president of the denomination. In 2004 he co-founded Red Crearte, a Latin American liturgical network, and continues to coordinate the work. He also serves as historian of the Reformed churches in Argentina and the Dutch immigration in the region. He is a member of several international liturgy committees.

LITURGY

Laura D' Angiola, from Argentina, is an English teacher and principal of a Bilingual High School. Laura is Coordinator of the Liturgy Commission of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina. She is a founding member of Red Crearte.

LITURGY

Horacio Vivares. National Professor of Music and Symphony Orchestra Conductor in Argentina. He participates in the liturgical work with different organizations in the world: Methodist Church of Argentina, Latin American Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, among others. He is a founding member of Red Crearte, a network of liturgical renewal in Latin America.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Michelle is a long time attendee of the Peace Camp, they started as a youth participant in High School, and they have continued attending as a leader for the children's conference for many years. As a child therapist, Michelle finds it vital to support youth in exploring their own identities and individual voices. Michelle is especially passionate about the role children have in peace building, and the ways they can work together to make a difference. Michelle's hope is that the children during the conference will be able to build relationships with one another, learn from each other's experiences, and feel empowered once they return to their own communities. More than anything, Michelle's hope is that the kids will have loads of fun with each other through music, play, exploring, and learning.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Steve Chandy, is a musician and music educator in the Boston area. He currently works with children of all ages, where he teaches various instruments, vocal lessons, and songwriting. Steve has participated in several Peace Camps in the past as a participant and as a musical leader. This year, he is excited to co-lead the children's program, as he is passionate about supporting and empowering young people to share their voices and passions through artistic expression.

YOUTH PROGRAM

Anita Peebles (she/her/ella) is the pastor of Seattle First Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington, USA. She is a co-author of “New Directions for Holy Questions: Progressive Christian Theology for Families”, as well as children's curriculum for multiple denominations. Anita has served as a Board member for BPFNA~Bautistas por la Paz. She lives in Seattle with her fiancee and their cat.

YOUTH PROGRAM