Stephen Gualberto was appointed field strategy coordinator for the Sealands Field on Wednesday, 1 March 2022. Global Missions Director Verne Ward made the appointment upon the recommendation of Regional Director Mark Louw and in consultation with Jurisdictional General Superintendent David Graves.
Gualberto replaces Larry West, who has retired after serving as FSC since 2010. The appointment will be effective 1 May 2023.
Stephen was born in the Philippines. Upon confirming his call to become a pastor, he enrolled in Luzon Nazarene Bible College (currently Philippine Nazarene College) to pursue his Bachelor of Theology. He graduated in 2001. In 2004, while serving as senior pastor of GMA Church of the Nazarene, he served as Regional Child Development Coordinator and then Regional NCM Coordinator. From 2006-2010, he served as International Program Coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries International. After serving in this capacity for 4 years, he and his family moved back to the Philippines to serve as Field Strategy Coordinator for the Philippines-Micronesia Field for 10 years.
In 2020, he felt the Lord calling them back to their local church – GMA Church of the Nazarene, where he is currently serving as the Senior Pastor.
Stephen shared, “God has been doing so many great things in the Church of the Nazarene – GMA, where I am serving as senior pastor. So, deciding to transition from being a pastor of an awesome church to being a Field Strategy Coordinator of another Field is a difficult decision to make. But I am resolved to remain obedient to where the Lord is leading me. It is humbling to be called by the Lord to a new territory and to serve the Lord with others from different cultures and languages. To God be the glory!”
