Adventist World Radio Names Five Vice Presidents for Next Chapter of Ministry

Adventist World Radio (AWR) has announced the election of five vice presidents to help lead the ministry into a new chapter of mission and growth alongside recently elected president Jim Howard.

The officers include Ray Allen and Cami Oetman, continuing in their roles for AWR; Michael Eckert, former assistant Publishing director at the General Conference; Justin Ringstaff, secretary of the Michigan Conference; and Charné Renou, who served as vice president for finance at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) will now hold the same portfolio at AWR.

These leaders will work alongside Howard to strengthen AWR’s mission focus: bringing the three angels’ messages to every corner of the globe and ensuring that those interested in the message have the opportunity to be connected with a local Adventist church for baptism and discipleship.

“Our mission is simple: leading people from broadcast to baptism,” said Howard. “That means sharing the gospel in every language and nation and connecting listeners with local churches in their area. I’m grateful for the foundation others have laid, and I believe this team will continue AWR’s mission with humility and conviction.”

The new vice presidents bring experience in evangelism, digital strategies, finance, and administration. Each will contribute to AWR’s work around the world in partnership with local churches and ministry partners. Here’s a closer look at the vice presidents’ team:
Ray Allen has been part of the AWR team since 1993.He earned an undergraduate degree in theology and a master’s in communication and church administration from Andrews University, along with a doctoral degree in natural health. A graduate of the National Broadcasting School in London, he also lectured in communication for 20 years at Newbold College of Higher Education. Prior to his role at AWR, Allen served as pastor and Communication director for the South England Conference and was a member of the United Kingdom House of Lords Media Watchdog Committee.

Ray Allen [Photo: provided by Adventist World Radio]

Michael Eckert served as assistant Publishing director at the General Conference, where he led global publishing and digital outreach initiatives. He directed the SCORE project, which produced contextualized literature for five major non-Christian religions in more than 85 languages, and he coordinated The Great Controversy Project 2.0 in more than 100 languages. He also codeveloped the Global Bible School and Global Interest Delivery System—key components of the church’s digital strategy to connect millions of spiritual interests with local congregations around the world.

Michael Eckert [Photo: provided by Adventist World Radio]

Cami Oetman came to AWR as a vice president in 2017. She began her career as an international model, later earning a master’s degree in social work and building a successful global e-commerce company. In 2014 she sold her business in response to God’s call to evangelism, preaching more than 350 sermons before joining AWR. Since then she has filmed more than 200 mission stories worldwide (dozens of which have been recognized with Telly Awards) and presented the online Unlocking Bible Prophecies series, which has accumulated tens of millions of views and transformed lives around the globe.

Cami Oetman [Photo: provided by Adventist World Radio]

Charné Renou served as the vice president for finance at ADRA International before joining AWR. She began her career in 2011 with PricewaterhouseCoopers in South Africa after postgraduate studies at Stellenbosch University, working across multiple industries, including health care, agriculture, and manufacturing. In 2015 she joined KPMG in the Channel Islands, working with investment managers in London with portfolios across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Her experience includes investment and debt funds, renewable energy, private equity, venture capital, and London Stock Exchange companies.

Charné Renou [Photo: provided by Adventist World Radio]

Justin Ringstaff has served in the Michigan Conference for the past 20 years, where he pastored several congregations, worked as a district superintendent, associate Ministerial director, and most recently as the secretary since 2018. He is passionate about global mission and has served as both a student and full-time missionary. He has also coordinated many short-term mission endeavors. These experiences instilled in him a lifelong burden and commitment to see the three angels’ messages taken to the ends of the world.

Justin Ringstaff [Photo: provided by Adventist World Radio]

About Adventist World Radio

Adventist World Radio’s shortwave and AM/FM broadcasts reach three quarters of the world, with a focus on Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Online broadcasts, solar-powered audio Bibles, WhatsApp outreach, and health-care events extend that reach even further, connecting with people one-on-one.