Following after the model left by Jesus, the General Conference Youth Ministries Department has adopted a servant-leadership model. Our team is responsible for seeing the vision and direction of the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist® Church implemented. Each person is responsible for their area of ministry to plan, implement, and execute the overall vision and focus of the Youth Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist® Church.

Associate Youth Director

Associate Youth Director

tejelj@gc.adventist.org

Jonatán Tejel Subirada is the 7th Pathfinder Director of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church. The son of  Andrés and Josefina Tejel, Jonatan is used to changes. As is common for many PKs (pastor kid), the family frequently moved until they settled in Madrid, Spain, where he spent his adolescent years.

He was baptized by his father, Pastor Andrés Tejel, on December 26, 1981. In 1990 he began his studies in Theology at Sagunto Adventist College. He attended that institution for the first three years, and then moved on to Collonges (France) where he completed his degree in Theology in 1995.

In 1992 he obtained an Official Certificate as Free Time Activity Coordinator, a title that is only granted by the Department of Education of the Spanish Government.

He is married to the former Daniela Sciarabba. They are the parents of two daughters; Astrid, born in 1999 and Édera, born in 2001.

Jonatán Tejel has over twelve years experience as a youth ministries director, speaks four languages (Spanish, Italian, English and French), and was the creator and the editor of Conexión, a youth ministries magazine for the Adventist Church in Spain.

Jonatán enjoys sports like football, rock climbing, scuba diving and likes working with computers and doing puzzles.

One of his favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 40:30-31. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Administrative Assistant

Silvia was born in the beautiful country of Argentina. She grew up in an Adventist home and studied at River Plate Adventist University (a place better known as Puiggari or "La Villa"). In 1993, she decided to make an adventurous move and traveled to the United States without knowing that she would only go back to her mother land to visit. Silvia spent four and a half years working with young people at a boarding school in Pennsylvania. In 1998, she married the love of her life, Eddy. A few years later they were both blessed with the arrival of their son Lucca and four years later with Emilia.

She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Language and Literature with emphasis in Translation from the University of Maryland. Silvia is currently working on her Master's Degree in Second Language Acquisition.

A lover of the outdoors, camping, hiking and going to the beach with her family and their dog, Gaucho, are among her favorite activities. Silvia can't live without eating Italian food and enjoys traveling (but regrets not having enough time to do it often). She is very involved in her local church.

God has blessed every step that she has taken. She's thankful and glad to have the opportunity to minister and serve the Lord in youth ministries. Her favorite Bible verse is in Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Administrative Assistant

"Over the past years I have learned many lessons and truths, but one of the most important ones is this, that, 'God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.'  (Romans 11:29, Message Bible). That is sometimes a very scary reality, but it is also humbling because it makes me realize that each of us have to walk in the calling that God has called us to, and His way is always the best."

Editorial Assistant

Erica Richards

richardse@gc.adventist.org

Erica was born and raised in Maryland where she attended Spencerville Adventist Academy for 13 years. After graduating from high school in 2006, she made the 600 mile trek to Collegedale, Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Adventist University.