The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.

Koffi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal biology and physiology at the University of Lomé in Togo. He is especially interested in youth ministry.

“I want to serve as a scholar and give my all for God’s mission,” he said. “As young people, we have a commitment to work for the Lord of the causes and issues facing communities today. The church must act through the engagement of young people to solve problems of social injustice and racism.”

As a Global Mission Fellow, Koffi hopes to use his talents and time “to grow communities as well as organizations and to make a difference in solving issues facing the church and the world,” he said. He looks forward to acquiring new skills and experiences and strengthening his commitment and leadership abilities.

“It is also a way for me to familiarize myself with other cultures, learn new things, be flexible and understand other realities of life and in the ecumenical world,” Koffi said. He is eager to help young people and communities around the world.

“This commitment,” he noted, “also will allow me to make a difference in the cultural diversity of each congregation.” He sees his role as helping youth to understand the gospel as they journey on the path of Christian commitment.

Raised in a Christian family, Koffi was baptized as a young child. He learned the importance and the meaning of the sacrament.

“As I followed the teachings and participated in prayer, praise and worship,” he said, “I came to know Jesus in a different way. This led me to switch from children’s worship to catechism.

“I was confirmed and thus able to participate in the common meal established by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” He joined the youth association in his community, volunteering “to enlarge the kingdom of God on earth.”

Because of Jesus’ presence, Koffi and his family have been blessed.

“I put my trust and my hope [in him], and he never lets me down,” Koffi said. “The Lord is always present, and at each stage of my life, his grace has never ceased to abound and overflow.”

He agrees with Matthew 9:37-38, which reads: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.”

“There is much to do in the house of the Lord,” Koffi said. “I am of the nature to help, to bring my stone to the building, to work for the accomplishment of the works of the Lord on the earth.

“While we still have the strength,” he added, “we must work before the evening comes when we cannot. I am part of this perspective. I want to work as a Global Mission Fellow to bring my time, my abilities and my talents for the advancement of the work of God by his grace for the glory of his name. Everything we do, we do not for ourselves, but for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Afatchao, Koffi Romaric

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In her role, she strives for closer contact with UMCOR grantees/funding partners and potential grantees/funding partners in Europe, better awareness of Global Ministries missionaries in the region who work with migrants, themes of migration and refugee ministries, and increased understanding of regional migration policies, practices and flows. She is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Previously, Joy Eva was assigned as program executive for youth engagement at the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva (2017-23). A former mission intern (the intern program was a forerunner to Global Mission Fellows) and mission advocate for the Young Adult Mission Service of the agency, she was commissioned to her present work in October 2015.

Joy Eva’s name is short for “Joyful Evangelist.” She is from Cebu City in the Philippines, where she is a member of the Labangon First United Methodist Church of the Visayas Philippines Annual Conference. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication, majoring in journalism, from the University of the Philippines. Her mother is clergy.

Joy Eva has worked for an online newspaper, and served as national president of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the Philippines, a team member for Discipleship Resources in the Philippines and an Emmaus Walk community coordinator. Participating in a government-sponsored exchange program in South Korea, under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, she led the case study presentation of the Status of Young People in the Philippines. She has taken part in mission trips within and outside the Philippines.

Luke 4:17–20, the passage about Jesus engaging with the people in the synagogue, strongly influenced Joy Eva as a young person. “When Jesus read Isaiah’s scroll, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,’” she said, “it resonated with me that God’s calling to serve God’s people in fighting for social justice, struggling with those in the margins and being in solidarity with the oppressed is for everyone, wherever you are in the world.

“God’s mission is for everyone from everywhere to everywhere. Jesus knew exactly what his purpose was. We should, too, and live out Jesus’ mission statement as found in Luke 4.”

Joy Eva has known for years that she would enter mission as a vocation.

Bohol, Joy Eva

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As a missionary with the World Council of Churches, Abigayle is the program executive for youth engagement in the ecumenical movement. In this role, she spearheads the engagement of young people, ages 18 to 30, and enhances intergenerational formation in the WCC. The global connections and capacity of United Methodist missionaries offers the WCC a unique partner in serving a fellowship of 353 member churches in over 110 countries in every region of the world.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Abigayle was consecrated as a United Methodist deaconess in May 2015. She is a member of Taal United Methodist Church in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines. The congregation is part of the Bulacan Philippines Annual Conference.

Abigayle earned a bachelor’s degree in kindergarten education at Harris Memorial College, Taytay, Rizal. She is in her final semester of studies toward a Master of Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines.

As a Global Mission Fellow with the General Board of Global Ministries, Abigayle served as an assistant in communications (women and children) at Centro Ecumenico Popular para America-Latina de Comunicacion (Popular Ecumenical Center for Latin-American Communication). On district and annual conference levels, she was a youth advisor.

With a rich United Methodist heritage, Abigayle was inspired by her grandparents, mother and brother who worked with the church.

“God has been my strength, provider and guide in my journey of life,” she said. “I studied as a deaconess because I wanted to offer and serve God with all that I am and the gifts God has given me. One of the ministries that I really love since I started working as a deaconess is working with the youth. Collaborating with youth and seeing their passion and love gives vibrance to my ministry. My relationship with Jesus grew as I understood that ministry and mission is not only for the people that we nurture at church but, most importantly, how we live the Word outside the church, taking the church to the community, and helping and walking with the people who are experiencing social injustices.”

Abigayle takes to heart the words attributed to John Wesley: “The world is our parish. “We live our faith in sharing God’s love with people,” she said. 

Describing her call to mission, Abigayle said that when she decided to become a church worker, “I knew back then that I was confined to the four walls of the church. I was too busy looking at the problems at church that I did not give the outside outlook of mission.

“Joining Global Mission Fellows gave me a wider perspective with mission and ministry. Seeing how social injustices affect each person, especially the marginalized ones, encouraged me to continue advocating for justice and peace. I had a linear plan before, but the program motivated me to continue doing mission through Global Ministries with the people and for the Lord because there’s no holiness without social holiness.”

Bolado, Abigayle Chesca

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John has served in several missionary placements since he was commissioned in 2000. Previously, he was the director of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s Family Center in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine. There, he worked with a team of social workers and community organizers to provide a wide range of services, including counseling, work and life skills, and educational support to street children, single mothers, and families in crisis. He also assisted with worship and pastoral duties.

From 2001 to 2005, John’s missionary assignment was serving as pastor of the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, an international, interdenominational Protestant congregation in Moscow, Russia. In addition to his tenure in Moscow, he served as the coordinator of humanitarian relief and church development for the Methodist Church in Kenya, and as a program coordinator for the World Council of Churches in Jordan.

John is an ordained elder of the New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Before joining Global Ministries, he served pastoral roles in congregations in New York City, Berlin, and Jerusalem. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, John earned his undergraduate degree in Russian and economics from Georgetown University, Washington, DC. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology. John and his wife Noel have two sons, Nicholas and Benjamin

Calhoun, John

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The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. 

Zacheus is involved at First United Methodist Church, Moheto, as praise and worship leader and pianist and serves as secretary and youth president for the Kenya/Ethiopia Annual Conference. 

A member of First UMC since 2000, he has worked in various areas in the congregation, gaining spiritual nourishment and development. “I have grown through reading the Bible, attending prayer sessions and engaging in teachings concerning the word of God,” Mwita said. 

After earning a certificate in higher education teaching at Msomi Teachers Training College, Migori County, Zacheus taught at Father Antony Pagani Primary School and at International Vision Academy, both in Nairobi. 

“I was a member and secretary of Msomi Media and Journalism in college,” Mwita said. “We published the school magazine and produced news on every assembly day.” As a Global Mission Fellow, he hopes to use his journalism skills to write and publish information about programs in his placement area.

Zacheus feels called to serve children and young people. “I would like to reach out to youth of different categories, denominations, races and countries,” he noted. “I would like to share my experience on what I have encountered in my profession as a teacher.” 

He has gained rich experience, along with a greater understanding and appreciation for children of diverse backgrounds. “Most of the children have different stories to tell,” Zacheus said. “Some stories are touching to an extent you may wish to continue listening.”

The students sometimes share glimpses into their home lives. 

“One time,” he recalled, “a child came complaining of her parents who were in disagreement. The child would come to school late without finishing the home assignment, and this raised an alarm among the teachers.” The staff contacted the child’s parents, talked to them and began addressing the situation. 

One of Zacheus’ aspirations is to advise, nurture and encourage youth to become responsible adults.

Chacha, Zacheus

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Kristina is a member of the North Carolina Conference. Growing up, she was actively involved with her local churches, attended Annual Conference as a lay delegate, and represented the NCCUMC Youth in the Conference Youth Committee. When she was in high school, she learned about the Global Mission Fellows at Annual Conference, and after discernment, believed that it would “best prepare [her] to both start working in the educational system and continue leading in the United Methodist Church.”

Kristina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024. During her undergraduate education, she majored in Human Development and Family Science, minored in Education, and affiliated with the Pre-Master of Arts in Teaching program. She volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club’s after-school program, and interned at a local elementary school.

Kristina was a member of the UNC Ballroom Dance Team, Southeast Asian Student Association, and Wesley Campus Ministry. Outside of school, she was a part-time childcare worker at a local church. She is a Board of Directors member and the Young People representative for the National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists.

Kristina described her personal spiritual growth as a process that started with her father, a United Methodist pastor, and her mother, a stay-at-home parent and substitute teacher. She had a weak relationship with God throughout her childhood, until her faith was tested during her first year in college. She recalled, “I slowly depended on and trusted in God more, and eventually joined the UNC Wesley Campus Ministry during my sophomore year.”

Kristina continued, “Reflecting upon my past as a United Methodist ‘preacher’s kid,’ and present as a graduating college student, I’ve always been establishing connections while being on the move. In the process, I learned that God transcends beyond buildings and borders, and works in us through other people.” She remembered her father saying, “We’re being shaped by the places we go to.”, and would add: “…and places are being shaped by the people we meet there.”

“I feel called to do more than just sit and listen to my father’s sermons, by going out into the world and being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.”

De Jesus, Kristina Esther Gaid

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The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. 

Jennifer is a young adult member of the Indonesian Christian Church in Karangsaru. Her involvement includes choir member and musician, event planner, youth committee secretary and actor. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in film, with specialization in animation, at Multimedia Nusantara University, Tangerang, Indonesia. “I have experience both academically and professionally in animation and motion graphics,” she said. She interned at Stadikel Edukasi Teknologi (Technology Education Stadium), Bekasi, Indonesia, and the Mennonite World Conference in Ontario, Canada. 

Jennifer believes that participation in Global Mission Fellows will help her to grow and to explore God’s grace by engaging in communities. 

“My eagerness to learn and experience a whole new environment,” she said, “has driven me to seek an opportunity to be part of a new community. Multiple times, I feel that God has told me to take a chance to learn new things. I want to broaden my knowledge and my mind about things that are happening in the world.  

“Being part of communities would let me see the world with an open mind,” Jennifer added. “By engaging with people, we can share each other’s stories and how God has worked in our lives.” 

She is excited about contributing to change. When her Global Mission Fellows term ends, she hopes to implement the experience and skills she gained.  

“I want to make changes to be better,” Jennifer said, “and they do not have to be big changes. I want to see how this opportunity that God has given me will change how I behave and think about the issues happening in the world.” 

She is eager to live outside of her comfort zone. “I am always curious about different cultures,” Jennifer said, “and I have always wanted to learn. This program will assist me in becoming a better person.”

Dihardjo, Jennifer Olivia

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The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. 

Now a member of LifeBridge Church, a nondenominational congregation in Savannah, Georgia, Michael remembers participating in a mission journey as a teen. 

“When I was 14,” she said, “I went on a mission trip with my youth group. A tornado had devastated the hometown of one of our leaders, and we were all asked to volunteer to help with disaster care and cleanup. We spent two weeks hopping from church to church, showering in hose-water portable showers, and living off donated meals from the community. It was upward of a hundred degrees most days, and the tasks were heavily manual labor. It was brutal, it was hard work, and it was the happiest, most peaceful, most at rest in my soul that I had ever been up to that point, and it changed my life.” 

Michael earned a diploma/certificate in phlebotomy and EKG at Northeast Medical Institute in Stamford, Connecticut, received an Associate Degree in general studies with certifications in emergency medical aid from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Alabama, and a Bachelor of Arts in cultural anthropology and missiology from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. 

“All of my education, all of the steps I took, and all of the training and certifications I got,” she said, “were in preparation to, one day, go into the mission field. My focus was humanitarian outreach that allowed the opportunity for ministry, while still respecting the peoples, communities and cultures I encountered.” 

In the process, Michael met a Global Missions Fellow alumnus. “Right away,” she recalled, “I was drawn to the program, but I wasn’t properly equipped at the time to participate.” 

“Unfortunately, things in my life kept preventing my ability to commit myself to the program,” Michael said. “This year, I’m finally in a position where I can apply and not have anything holding me back.” 

All along, Michael has been an advocate for GMFs. 

“The Global Mission Fellows program,” she said, “has been a pillar and a continuing pull in my life for many years. I value and respect the mission of the program and the belief that people can do missions for, with and through God in many ways and with many different types of people.  

“Mission is about helping, loving, kindness and ministry through opportunity and understanding. It’s about walking beside all types of people through all walks of life and showing them that they are loved and that they matter.”  

She concluded, “Having this opportunity, this community, this journey will be an invaluable experience for any future mission that I do as well. My hope is to use the knowledge I am given from this experience, absorb it, and use it to help others, advocating for those in need and continuing to walk with them.”

Gable, Michael LeahAnne

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Sarah earned a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in flute performance from the Conservatory of Music “A. Buzzolla” in Adria, Italy; a diploma in vocal performance from the Claudio Abbado Civic Music School in Milan, Italy; a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Milan – Bicocca, Italy; and a Master of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. She is an ordained elder in the Wisconsin Annual Conference.

She has served as the lead pastor at Clarno Zion and Staver St. Peter’s United Methodist churches since July 2020. Originally from Manila and raised in The United Methodist Church and the Italian Methodist Church in Milan, Italy, she brings a rich cultural background to ministry. 

In 2016, Sarah participated in the Discipleship Intensive Program of the Epworth League in Sullivan, Wisconsin. In 2017, she worked for the Italian Methodist Church, in partnership with the Methodist Church in Britain “Nationals in Mission Appointments,” to lead a young adult ministry in Rome. While in seminary, she also was a ministry intern at Capitol Hill UMC and a chaplain at Georgetown University Hospital. 

Passionate about intergenerational and cross-cultural ministries, Sarah is committed to making disciples for Jesus Christ and witnessing transformation in the world. Her favorite Scriptural passage is 1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” This verse drives her mission to spread God’s love throughout the world. She warmly welcomes others to join her on her faith journey and to experience God’s love. 

“My Christian heritage,” Sarah said, “is a result of the mission from the West to the rest. Missionaries were sent to the global South as part of the European colonialization process. Soon after the United States took control of the Philippines in 1898, Protestant mission work was established on the basis of a comity agreement among the various denominations, the biggest of which was the Methodist Church.”

Sarah is a fourth-generation Methodist in the Philippines. 

When Sarah was 10, she explained, “my family migrated to Italy, bringing with us our religion and church traditions. In Italy, I witnessed the implications of reversed migration and the other challenges facing churches of migrant workers. Also at a very young age, I understood the importance of having a pastor who speaks a language you can understand and who values your cultural heritage.”

As Sarah answered God’s call to ministry, she considered the importance of pursuing her theological education in the United States and acknowledging her spiritual heritage in The United Methodist Church. During her provisional residency as an elder in the Wisconsin Conference, she gained experience as a pastor in a cross-cultural appointment. 

“My pastoral services at Clarno and Staver UMCs,” Sarah said,” have widened my desire for missional work through my global identity. It is an honor to be a missionary for the General Board of Global Ministries and to use my God-given gifts and developed skills as an agent of mission.”

Sarah is married to the Rev. János Csomós, an ordained clergy of the Hungarian Reformed Church.

Gabuyo, Sarah Mae N.

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A layperson, Leslaw is a member of Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Warsaw, Poland. He and his spouse, Agnieszka Motylewska-Kawalec, are the parents of two young adults and a teenager. Leslaw studied archeology at the University of Warsaw and theology at John A. Lasco Seminary of the Polish Methodist Church, Warsaw. He earned a Master of Arts degree in English and philology at Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.

“Born and raised Catholic,” Leslaw said, “I have had a winding religious journey so far.” In his early 20s, he was part of the Christian National Union (ZChN), a Christian-democratic and nationalist political party in Poland.

He participated in Unitarian and Baptist activities and was baptized as an adult in 2003. “When teaching a pre-sessional course at the University of Hull, United Kingdom,” he said, “I was inspired by a student’s project on William Wilberforce and his Methodist affiliates to fight slave trade. I dug into Methodism and joined the Methodist church in Poland in 2013. I did a bachelor’s in theology at the Polish Methodist seminary, became a lay preacher for two years and ran Bible study with English-speaking members of the congregation.”

Recalling his confirmation as a youth, Leslaw said, “I made an informed decision to take the Christian name ‘Paul,’ the missionary.

“About 21 years ago, my Bible kept opening on passages with ‘Antioch,’ the first missionary church. At that time, I felt certain I would be a missionary, but I thought this would come much sooner. Instead, I experienced a religious odyssey. Apparently, I needed to become prepared for the task, including becoming sanctified enough (which took quite a long time).”

As a teacher, Leslaw strived to share his faith and to witness to Christ, wherever he went, “be it UK, Tajikistan or China, and in Poland, too (the country is secularizing at the speed of sound),” he said. “I meant to serve in the Polish church and lead a missionary congregation if I become a pastor. I remember that the former superintendent and seminary teacher, Brother Edward, suggested I may one day serve within The United Methodist Church. This pushed me to submit an application with Global Ministries.

“It occurred to me that I would make a far better missionary than pastor. Lo and behold, UMC Mission responded.” Leslaw has completed part of his missionary training and contacted the Irish superintendent with whom he will serve.

He is excited, he said, about “working to involve East European immigrant communities in church life with a view to planting churches there. God can really guide you, close some avenues and open others!”

Kawalec, Leslaw Olgierd

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