General Conference

Tribute Recognizes Importance of Family Ministries

Leaders from four divisions are honored for going above and beyond in their roles to support families.

United States

Felipe Lemos, South American Division, for ANN
Willie and Elaine Oliver, directors of the General Conference Family's Ministry.

Willie and Elaine Oliver, directors of the General Conference Family's Ministry.

Photo: Gerhard Weiner / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)

The global leadership of Family Ministries in the Seventh-day Adventist Church set aside a special moment of recognition on July 5 during the 62nd General Conference Session.

The goal was to honor five leaders who have made a significant impact in this area within their territories over the past few years. 

A special luncheon was held on that Saturday (Sabbath), during which the Arthur & Maud Spalding Medal was awarded to the following individuals:

  • Raquel Arrais, Family Ministries director for the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD)

  • Alacy Barbosa, Family Ministries director for the South American Division (SAD)

  • Virgie Baloyo, Family Ministries director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD)

  • Jongimpi and Nomthandazo Papu, Family Ministries leaders for the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID)

Beyond Expectations

Willie Oliver, who leads Family Ministries at the General Conference alongside his wife, Elaine, emphasized the commitment, dedication, continuous involvement, and creative abilities of the leaders who received the recognition.

“They went beyond what was expected of them and implemented innovative projects in their regions, including the development of key leadership in this ministry,” Oliver said.

The Arthur & Maud Spalding Medal was created in 1990. It is named in honor of Arthur Spalding, an Adventist pioneer who began the first initiatives related to what would later become Family Ministries in 1922. Together with his wife, Maud, he produced literature focused on whole-family education.

Regional Training Initiatives

Alacy Barbosa, who oversees Family Ministries for the SAD, with headquarters in Brazil, explained that the department’s goal is to lead individuals and their families into renewed covenant with God, transforming them into instruments of salvation for others, including couples and families.

Body Image Caption: Alacy Barbosa and his wife. Photo: Gerhard Weiner/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Body Image Caption: Alacy Barbosa and his wife. Photo: Gerhard Weiner/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)

In essence, Family Ministries aims to strengthen families spiritually, make them more mission-oriented, and equip them for this work.

Between 2020 and 2025, the SAD Family Ministries department organized 110 pilot couple retreats. These events are designed to train pastors and leaders to implement the model in their own pastoral districts. The retreats have reached approximately 15,000 Adventist couples and 12,000 non-Adventist couples, totaling 27,000 couples impacted by the program.

Adapting to Local Realities

Raquel Arrais, who leads the department in the NSD, based in South Korea, noted that her territory faces significant challenges due to family breakdown.

One of the biggest problems, she said, is that many families—including Adventist ones—struggle with work pressures and lack the time to address and resolve internal issues.

Virginia Baloyo and her husband. Photo: Gerhard Weiner/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Virginia Baloyo and her husband. Photo: Gerhard Weiner/Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)

To address this, Arrais has coordinated efforts with local leaders to offer Bible-based counseling and guidance through digital platforms. These remote methods allow people to access biblical teachings that can help transform their home environments.

In Mongolia, for example, Facebook is widely used by Adventists to share materials for couples, parents, those preparing for marriage, and even divorcees.

“In this way, we can deliver education to people living in remote areas,” Arrais said.

Another successful strategy in her region is the ministry of hospitality. Adventist families open their homes to neighbors, sometimes using non-Christian holidays as opportunities to build friendships and deepen connections.

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.

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