Alliance World Fellowship Elects and Anoints New Executive Committee at the 2025 Quadrennial Convocation

During the 2025 AWF Quadrennial Convocation, global delegates elected and anointed the new Executive Committee (ExCom), welcoming Rev. Darren Herbold and Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye while honoring two outgoing leaders. Discover the new ExCom and the vision for global mission.

During the 2025 Quadrennial Convocation, the Alliance World Fellowship (AWF) celebrated a significant moment of unity and renewed vision as delegates from across the global Alliance family elected and anointed the new AWF Executive Committee (ExCom). The Assembly re-elected Rev. Dr. Jura Yanagihara as AWF President; Mr. Ken Baldes as AWF Treasurer; Rev. Munther Shahatit as AWF Vice President (Appointed) and Europe & Middle East Regional Coordinator; Rev. Ken Graham as AWF Secretary (Appointed) and Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator; and Rev. David Muthre as AWF Latin America Regional Coordinator. The fellowship also welcomed two new Regional Coordinators—Rev. Darren Herbold (AWF North America Regional Coordinator), and Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye (AWF Africa Regional Coordinator)—who joined the ExCom to strengthen AWF’s mission across their regions for the new term. Together, the newly elected leaders step into the next four years with a shared commitment to advancing Christ’s work worldwide through Our Global Change.

Rev. Dr. Jura Yanagihara — AWF President

Rev. Yanagihara continues as president of the Alliance World Fellowship. An ordained pastor of the Brazilian C&MA, where he has served in pastoral and denominational leadership, he founded several congregations in Brazil and Japan, and contributed significantly to theological education and mission formation. Through his broad international ministry experience and multilingual teaching, Rev. Yanagihara embodies AWF’s heart for global, Spirit-led mission.

Mr. Ken Baldes – AWF Treasurer

Ken served as treasurer for The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in the United States and vice president for Operations and Finance from October 2005 to November 2025. In this position, he was responsible for Finance, Information Technology, and Alliance Benefits. He also served on the board of several C&MA-related organizations, including Alliance Benefits, Shell Point Retirement Community, Chapel Pointe, and Town and Country. In early 2026, he will begin a new season of ministry as an associate pastor in his local church in Colorado Springs.

Rev. Munther Shahatit — AWF Vice President (Newly Appointed) and AWF Europe & Middle East Regional Coordinator

Rev. Shahatit, Regional Coordinator for Europe and the Middle East (EMERALD), was elected as AWF’s new Vice President. A Jordanian pastor, counselor, and educator, he has served the C&MA in Jordan for more than three decades. He is deeply involved in pastoral leadership, trauma-care ministry across the MENA region, and theological training at CAIT in Lebanon. In 2023 he was elected president of the C&MA of Jordan and the Holy Land. His intercultural experience and pastoral heart will strengthen AWF’s collaborative mission in the years ahead.

Rev. Ken Graham — AWF Secretary (Newly Appointed) and AWF Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator

Rev. Graham joins the Executive Committee as Secretary, bringing experience in administrative leadership, church engagement, and mission advancement within the Alliance. His commitment to strengthening global cooperation and fostering unified structures aligns with AWF’s growing need for strategic communication and organizational support.

Rev. Darren Herbold — AWF North America Regional Coordinator (Newly Elected)

Rev. Herbold, president of The Alliance Canada, will serve as the AWF’s new North America Regional Coordinator. His years of pastoral ministry, leadership in Thailand, and work with For Freedom International have shaped a holistic vision for gospel multiplication, community development, and Spirit-empowered mission. He remains committed to equipping churches to engage meaningfully in global mission partnerships.

Rev. David Muthre — AWF Latin America Regional Coordinator

Rev. Muthre continues as the AWF Regional Coordinator for Latin America. A pastor, seminary professor, and president of the C&MA of Ecuador, he has invested decades in forming leaders, strengthening local churches, and mobilizing missionaries. As president of the Latin American Alliance Fellowship (CLA), he plays a key role in advancing cross-cultural mission throughout the region.

Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye — AWF Africa Regional Coordinator (Newly Elected)

Rev. Sangoye will represent the Africa region on the Executive Committee. His ministry focuses on leadership development, pastoral training, and strengthening churches throughout the continent. His life and work reflect dedication to equipping leaders and fostering transformational ministry in diverse African contexts.

The AWF expresses sincere gratitude to Rev. Célestin Koffi (Africa) and Rev. Brem Frentz (North America) for their faithful service on the Executive Committee. Their contributions have strengthened AWF’s unity, governance, and mission efforts across multiple regions. The fellowship honors their commitment to advancing Christ’s work and prays for God’s continued blessing over their ministries.

As the new Executive Committee begins its four-year term, the AWF looks ahead with anticipation to all that God will accomplish through the united efforts of our global Alliance family. Grounded in the biblical mandate and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the AWF remains steadfast in its commitment to theological formation, cooperative mission, national church development, and compassion ministries—proclaiming the hope of Jesus Christ to every nation.