AWF Regional Coordinating
Committees (RCC)
Rev. Dr. Jura Yanagihara
AWF President
Rev. Jura Yanagihara is an ordained pastor of the Brazilian Christian and Missionary Alliance and serves as President of the Alliance World Fellowship. He holds degrees in engineering (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.) and theology (B.D.) from institutions in Brazil and Japan.
In 1988, he and his wife Mami founded Salt of Earth Community (C&MA), the first Portuguese-speaking church in Japan. In Brazil, he has served as senior pastor of Rudge Ramos Alliance Church, founding pastor of Paraíso Alliance Church, and founding pastor of São Paulo International Alliance Church, where he currently serves. He has also served as Seminary President and National Church President of the Brazilian C&MA.
A gifted teacher and leader, Jura is passionate about advancing Christ-centered mission, theological excellence, and spiritual growth worldwide. He has traveled to more than 50 countries, lecturing and preaching in Portuguese, Japanese, English, and Spanish.
Jura and Mami’s three grown children—Daniel, Priscila, and Damaris—are all married and active in ministry, and the family now joyfully has three grandchildren, continuing a legacy of faith and service.
Rev. Dr. Jura Yanagihara
AWF President
Rev. Jura Yanagihara is an ordained pastor of the Brazilian Christian and Missionary Alliance and serves as President of the Alliance World Fellowship. He holds degrees in engineering (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.) and theology (B.D.) from institutions in Brazil and Japan.
In 1988, he and his wife Mami founded Salt of Earth Community (C&MA), the first Portuguese-speaking church in Japan. In Brazil, he has served as senior pastor of Rudge Ramos Alliance Church, founding pastor of Paraíso Alliance Church, and founding pastor of São Paulo International Alliance Church, where he currently serves. He has also served as Seminary President and National Church President of the Brazilian C&MA.
A gifted teacher and leader, Jura is passionate about advancing Christ-centered mission, theological excellence, and spiritual growth worldwide. He has traveled to more than 50 countries, lecturing and preaching in Portuguese, Japanese, English, and Spanish.
Jura and Mami’s three grown children—Daniel, Priscila, and Damaris—are all married and active in ministry, and the family now joyfully has three grandchildren, continuing a legacy of faith and service.
Mr. Ken Baldes
AWF Treasurer
Ken has served as treasurer for The Christian and Missionary Alliance in the United States and vice president for Operations and Finance since October 2005. In this position, he is responsible for Finance, Information Technology, and Alliance Benefits. He also serves on the board of several C&MA organizations including Alliance Benefits, Shell Point Retirement Community, Chapel Pointe, and Town and Country.
He has been serving as AWF treasurer since January 2017.
Ken and his wife, Christy, have three children and six grandchildren.
Mr. Ken Baldes
AWF Treasurer
Ken has served as treasurer for The Christian and Missionary Alliance in the United States and vice president for Operations and Finance since October 2005. In this position, he is responsible for Finance, Information Technology, and Alliance Benefits. He also serves on the board of several C&MA organizations including Alliance Benefits, Shell Point Retirement Community, Chapel Pointe, and Town and Country.
He has been serving as AWF treasurer since January 2017.
Ken and his wife, Christy, have three children and six grandchildren.
president for HSBC Bank USA, N.A. where he had over 19 years’ experience in banking and financial services. He has a broad business knowledge, including audit, financial management, operations, product management, business development, and risk management. Ken is a member of ClayHouse Alliance Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has served in various church leadership positions including elder, board member, church treasurer and assistant treasurer, global missions chair, small group leader and men’s Sunday school class teacher. He is married to Christy and they have three children: Tyler (married to Lauren), Kailie (married to Evan), and Jeremy. While he serves in the ministry of administration, his calling is from John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”
Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye
AWF Africa Regional Coordinator
Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye has been a pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Gabon since 2000, after five years of training at the Bethel Bible Institute of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Gabon (EACMG) in Libreville.
On September 3, 2010, Rev. Sangoye married Lekolo Gwladys Mirlande with whom he now has three boys: Dave Al, Wamyol and Batombih.
To summarize the years of service of the new National President of the EACMG (Christian and Missionary Alliance of Gabon) and AWF Regional Coordinator for Africa, we will highlight a balanced distribution of his 25 years of service as follows:
- 14 years serving the church as a pastor.
- 11 years serving the church in administrative roles as Managing Director of the C&MA and the Bongolo Hospital of the Christian Alliance, and as Administrative Secretary of one of the National Offices of the EACMG.
It should be noted that while assuming his first responsibilities inherent in his pastoral calling, for seven years the EACMG appointed him as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UJAC (Youth Union of the Christian Alliance of Africa), a position he held until August 2025.
Rev. Sangoye is civically engaged in his country. He is the founder of an NGO called Rien N’est Perdu (Nothing is Lost) and leads a platform that mobilizes and promotes good governance based on biblical values. This platform organizes monthly and annual National Prayer Breakfasts in favor of Gabon.
Finally, he is also passionate about social entrepreneurship, having set up the Alliance Mutuelle pour Investir et Épargner (AMIE) – Alliance Mutual Fund for Investment and Savings – which has 800 members and aims to evolve into a microfinance organization in the long term.
The Sangoye family is very grateful to God for eternal salvation and the grace of the calling to serve.
Africa Regional Committee
• Ferdinand Sangoye (Gabon) - Coordinator
• Noël N’Guessan (Ivory Coast) – Vice Coordinator
• Marcel Bunda Bunda (Congo, DRC) - Secretary
• Séphora Likassa (Gabon) - Assistant Secretary
• Jefferson Boundamas (Gabon) - Treasurer
• Yvon Enzongo (Congo-Brazzaville) - Assistant Treasurer
• Théophile Paré (Burkina Faso) - Mission Director
• Elisée Sangara (Mali) - Prayer Director
Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye
AWF Africa Regional Coordinator
Rev. Ferdinand Sangoye has been a pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Gabon since 2000, after five years of training at the Bethel Bible Institute of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Gabon (EACMG) in Libreville.
On September 3, 2010, Rev. Sangoye married Lekolo Gwladys Mirlande with whom he now has three boys: Dave Al, Wamyol and Batombih.
To summarize the years of service of the new National President of the EACMG (Christian and Missionary Alliance of Gabon) and AWF Regional Coordinator for Africa, we will highlight a balanced distribution of his 25 years of service as follows:
- 14 years serving the church as a pastor.
- 11 years serving the church in administrative roles as Managing Director of the C&MA and the Bongolo Hospital of the Christian Alliance, and as Administrative Secretary of one of the National Offices of the EACMG.
It should be noted that while assuming his first responsibilities inherent in his pastoral calling, for seven years the EACMG appointed him as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UJAC (Youth Union of the Christian Alliance of Africa), a position he held until August 2025.
Rev. Sangoye is civically engaged in his country. He is the founder of an NGO called Rien N’est Perdu (Nothing is Lost) and leads a platform that mobilizes and promotes good governance based on biblical values. This platform organizes monthly and annual National Prayer Breakfasts in favor of Gabon.
Finally, he is also passionate about social entrepreneurship, having set up the Alliance Mutuelle pour Investir et Épargner (AMIE) – Alliance Mutual Fund for Investment and Savings – which has 800 members and aims to evolve into a microfinance organization in the long term.
The Sangoye family is very grateful to God for eternal salvation and the grace of the calling to serve.
Africa Regional Committee
• Ferdinand Sangoye (Gabon) - Coordinator
• Noël N’Guessan (Ivory Coast) – Vice Coordinator
• Marcel Bunda Bunda (Congo, DRC) - Secretary
• Séphora Likassa (Gabon) - Assistant Secretary
• Jefferson Boundamas (Gabon) - Treasurer
• Yvon Enzongo (Congo-Brazzaville) - Assistant Treasurer
• Théophile Paré (Burkina Faso) - Mission Director
• Elisée Sangara (Mali) - Prayer Director
Rev. Ken Graham
AWF Secretary and Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator
Rev. Ken Graham and his wife Merle have served the C&MA in Australia for more than 34 years. Ken graduated from Alliance College of Theology and entered immediately into ministry, serving as pastor of the Redlands Alliance Church in Brisbane, and as Senior Pastor at the Woden Valley Alliance Church in Canberra.
In 1992, Ken begun ministry at the National Office of the C&MA Australia and has been a part of the Australian National Board since then, serving as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and now as President. Ken is currently the AWF Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator and has served on the Regional Coordinating Committee of the Asia Pacific Region from 2015-present. He is also the AWF Executive Committee Secretary. He serves on various boards of interdenominational ministries including the Australia College of Ministry, the International Training Alliance (ITA) and the NSW Council of Churches.
Since 2015 Ken has served as President of the C&MA Australia, directing Australian Churches and International Workers in many countries.
Ken and Merle have three sons: Robert (married to Justine), Rev. Peter (married to Liz) and Mark (married to Ellen). They have eleven grandchildren.
Asia Pacific Regional Committee
• Ken Graham (Australia) - Coordinator
• Daniel Ronda (Indonesia) - Secretary/Treasurer
• David Shin (Korea)
• Sanguansak Worawat (Thailand)
Rev. Ken Graham
AWF Secretary and Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator
Rev. Ken Graham and his wife Merle have served the C&MA in Australia for more than 34 years. Ken graduated from Alliance College of Theology and entered immediately into ministry, serving as pastor of the Redlands Alliance Church in Brisbane, and as Senior Pastor at the Woden Valley Alliance Church in Canberra.
In 1992, Ken begun ministry at the National Office of the C&MA Australia and has been a part of the Australian National Board since then, serving as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and now as President. Ken is currently the AWF Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator and has served on the Regional Coordinating Committee of the Asia Pacific Region from 2015-present. He is also the AWF Executive Committee Secretary. He serves on various boards of interdenominational ministries including the Australia College of Ministry, the International Training Alliance (ITA) and the NSW Council of Churches.
Since 2015 Ken has served as President of the C&MA Australia, directing Australian Churches and International Workers in many countries.
Ken and Merle have three sons: Robert (married to Justine), Rev. Peter (married to Liz) and Mark (married to Ellen). They have eleven grandchildren.
Asia Pacific Regional Committee
• Ken Graham (Australia) - Coordinator
• Daniel Ronda (Indonesia) - Secretary/Treasurer
• David Shin (Korea)
• Sanguansak Worawat (Thailand)
Rev. Munther Shahatit
AWF Vice President and Europe & Middle East Regional Coordinator
Rev. Munther Shahatit is a native Jordanian pastor and counsellor. He graduated with his first bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Jordan, Amman, in 1987. In 1992, he began his journey by pursuing a Theology Degree from the Christian Alliance Institute of Theology (CAIT), in Lebanon. The journey continued in 2003, when Rev. Shahatit and his family travelled to the United States to start yet another journey where he was able to finish his MA in counselling from Columbia International University in 2006.
Rev. Shahatit is heavily involved in the ministry of the C&MA church in Jordan since 1990. He was ordained in the national C&MA church, Jordan in 2011. Munther Shahatit is a teacher, preacher, and a pastor. He is also an adjunct professor at CAIT, Lebanon teaching pastoral and crisis counselling classes. He is also involved in Trauma Counselling Ministries in the whole region where he travels in the MENA region to provide professional trauma counselling and trainings. In 2007, he began serving as the associate pastor at Second Circle C&MA church in Amman till the end of 2022.
Starting January 1, 2023, Rev. Shahatit moved to be the pastor of the Alliance Church in Al Yadoudah, East Amman. On March 24, 2023, he was elected as the President of the National C&MA church in Jordan and the Holy Land. He is also the regional coordinator of the Alliance churches in Europe and the Middle East since 2018 till now.
Munther has been married to Dalal Shawareb since 1990, and they have four children.
Europe & Middle East Regional Committee
• Munther Shahatit (Jordan) - Coordinator
• Eoghan Cosgrave (France) - Secretary & Mission Mobilizer
• Misha Medvedev (Russia)
• Charbel Malak (Lebanon)
• Rocco Rausch (Netherlands)
• Francisco Cerrón (Spain)
• Tom Scharf (Germany)
Rev. Munther Shahatit
AWF Vice President and Europe & Middle East Regional Coordinator
Rev. Munther Shahatit is a native Jordanian pastor and counsellor. He graduated with his first bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Jordan, Amman, in 1987. In 1992, he began his journey by pursuing a Theology Degree from the Christian Alliance Institute of Theology (CAIT), in Lebanon. The journey continued in 2003, when Rev. Shahatit and his family travelled to the United States to start yet another journey where he was able to finish his MA in counselling from Columbia International University in 2006.
Rev. Shahatit is heavily involved in the ministry of the C&MA church in Jordan since 1990. He was ordained in the national C&MA church, Jordan in 2011. Munther Shahatit is a teacher, preacher, and a pastor. He is also an adjunct professor at CAIT, Lebanon teaching pastoral and crisis counselling classes. He is also involved in Trauma Counselling Ministries in the whole region where he travels in the MENA region to provide professional trauma counselling and trainings. In 2007, he began serving as the associate pastor at Second Circle C&MA church in Amman till the end of 2022.
Starting January 1, 2023, Rev. Shahatit moved to be the pastor of the Alliance Church in Al Yadoudah, East Amman. On March 24, 2023, he was elected as the President of the National C&MA church in Jordan and the Holy Land. He is also the regional coordinator of the Alliance churches in Europe and the Middle East since 2018 till now.
Munther has been married to Dalal Shawareb since 1990, and they have four children.
Europe & Middle East Regional Committee
• Munther Shahatit (Jordan) - Coordinator
• Eoghan Cosgrave (France) - Secretary & Mission Mobilizer
• Misha Medvedev (Russia)
• Charbel Malak (Lebanon)
• Rocco Rausch (Netherlands)
• Francisco Cerrón (Spain)
• Tom Scharf (Germany)
Rev. David Muthre
AWF Latin America Regional Coordinator
Rev. David Muthre holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Alliance Biblical Seminary (SBA) in Guayaquil and a Bachelor of Theology from the Latin American Faculty of Theological Studies (FLET). He also holds a Licentiate in Theology from the SBA in Guayaquil and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theological Studies from the Latin American Theological Faculty (FATELA). He is an Honorary Doctor of Religious Studies from the Autonomous University of Quito and holds a Licentiate in Theology and Religious Studies with a specialization in Pastoral Psychology and Family Counseling.
David Muthre has been a Master of Discipleship, Church Growth, and Ministerial Administration at the Alliance Bible Seminary in Guayaquil since 1994. He has also served as president of the National Department of World Missions of the C&MA of Ecuador since the second half of 2006, president of the C&MA of Ecuador since November 2008, and vice president of the Ecuadorian Evangelical Fellowship from 2010 to 2025.
He was installed as president of the Latin American Alliance Fellowship (CLA) of the AWF in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 2016 to October 2028.
Rev. David Muthre serves the Lord alongside his family at the Central Alliance Evangelical Church of Milagro since May 19, 1991, focusing on working in Evangelism Explosion, Intensive Discipleship and Cross-Cultural Missionary Work.
David has been married to Isabel Freire for 30 years and they have three children: Keyla Mishelle, Génesis Isabel, and Josué David. They also have two grandchildren, Emmanuel and Natanael.
Latin America Regional Committee
• David Muthre (Ecuador) - Coordinator
• Ángel Barrientos (Peru) - Vice Coordinator
• Iván Flores (Chile) - Secretary
• Luis Moreno (Ecuador) - Treasurer
• Alex Fajardo (Brazil) - Counselor
Rev. David Muthre
AWF Latin America Regional Coordinator
Rev. David Muthre holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Alliance Biblical Seminary (SBA) in Guayaquil and a Bachelor of Theology from the Latin American Faculty of Theological Studies (FLET). He also holds a Licentiate in Theology from the SBA in Guayaquil and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theological Studies from the Latin American Theological Faculty (FATELA). He is an Honorary Doctor of Religious Studies from the Autonomous University of Quito and holds a Licentiate in Theology and Religious Studies with a specialization in Pastoral Psychology and Family Counseling.
David Muthre has been a Master of Discipleship, Church Growth, and Ministerial Administration at the Alliance Bible Seminary in Guayaquil since 1994. He has also served as president of the National Department of World Missions of the C&MA of Ecuador since the second half of 2006, president of the C&MA of Ecuador since November 2008, and vice president of the Ecuadorian Evangelical Fellowship from 2010 to 2025.
He was installed as president of the Latin American Alliance Fellowship (CLA) of the AWF in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 2016 to October 2028.
Rev. David Muthre serves the Lord alongside his family at the Central Alliance Evangelical Church of Milagro since May 19, 1991, focusing on working in Evangelism Explosion, Intensive Discipleship and Cross-Cultural Missionary Work.
David has been married to Isabel Freire for 30 years and they have three children: Keyla Mishelle, Génesis Isabel, and Josué David. They also have two grandchildren, Emmanuel and Natanael.
Latin America Regional Committee
• David Muthre (Ecuador) - Coordinator
• Ángel Barrientos (Peru) - Vice Coordinator
• Iván Flores (Chile) - Secretary
• Luis Moreno (Ecuador) - Treasurer
• Alex Fajardo (Brazil) - Counselor
Rev. Darren Herbold
AWF North America Regional Coordinator
Rev. Darren Herbold has a passion to see The Alliance Canada thrive as a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, and Mission-focused movement. Darren has served The Alliance Canada for over 15 years. Darren served as pastoral staff for seven years at Beulah Alliance. In 2014, Darren, and his wife, Naomi, were sent as international workers to Thailand where they served for over eight years. In 2015, Darren and Naomi were appointed as Team Leaders, and then in 2019, as Regional Developers, providing leadership and oversight to the region. Darren Herbold also served on the Board of Directors for the past four years. Darren also has significant experience in the area of entrepreneurial business, founding and directing an international charitable organization, For Freedom International, focused on anti-trafficking, community development, and gospel multiplication efforts in southeast Asia.
In July 2022, The Alliance Canada appointed Rev. Darren Herbold to serve as president of The Alliance Canada. Darren graduated from Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, AB (Certificate in Christian Studies), Taylor University College in Edmonton, AB (B.A. in Religion and Theology), and Liberty University in the USA (M.A. [with high distinction] in Global Studies).
Darren and Naomi have three children.
North America Regional Committee
• Darren Herbold (Canada) - Coordinator
• Damien Lee (Canada)
• Jonathan Schaeffer (United States)
• Tim Crouch (United States)
• Ken Baldes (United States)
Rev. Darren Herbold
AWF North America Regional Coordinator
Rev. Darren Herbold has a passion to see The Alliance Canada thrive as a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, and Mission-focused movement. Darren has served The Alliance Canada for over 15 years. Darren served as pastoral staff for seven years at Beulah Alliance. In 2014, Darren, and his wife, Naomi, were sent as international workers to Thailand where they served for over eight years. In 2015, Darren and Naomi were appointed as Team Leaders, and then in 2019, as Regional Developers, providing leadership and oversight to the region. Darren Herbold also served on the Board of Directors for the past four years. Darren also has significant experience in the area of entrepreneurial business, founding and directing an international charitable organization, For Freedom International, focused on anti-trafficking, community development, and gospel multiplication efforts in southeast Asia.
In July 2022, The Alliance Canada appointed Rev. Darren Herbold to serve as president of The Alliance Canada. Darren graduated from Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, AB (Certificate in Christian Studies), Taylor University College in Edmonton, AB (B.A. in Religion and Theology), and Liberty University in the USA (M.A. [with high distinction] in Global Studies).
Darren and Naomi have three children.
North America Regional Committee
• Darren Herbold (Canada) - Coordinator
• Damien Lee (Canada)
• Jonathan Schaeffer (United States)
• Tim Crouch (United States)
• Ken Baldes (United States)