MEET THE TEAM AT TONGASOA!
Rev. Dr. N. Mamisoa Rakotomalala
Executive Director
- Our Executive Director – Mamisoa (mah-mee-soo-ah) Rakotomalala (rah - koo – too – mah – lahl). From 2009 – 2014 , Mamisoa completed two of three master's degrees at the FJKM1 seminary in Antananarivo. From 2014 to 2018, pastor for 14 congregations in the Antanandava Parish. In these four years, she:
- Built the first clinic in the region to provide medical services to parish residents, which would typically require their driving for 2 hours or more by public transport to receive.
- Overcame the stigma men imposed against her being a woman and preaching to them from the pulpit.
- Was elected Secretary of FJKM North Synod.
- Established and built three new churches.
She has since earned an additional master's degree and a Doctor of Educational Ministry. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Theological Education at the GraduateTheological Union in Berkeley. Mamisoa is an experienced trainer, having taught in various educational settings locally and internationally. She has helped conduct Leadership workshops for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and community development work for FJKM. She is also an experienced grant manager and facilitator. Mamisoa is fluent in four languages.
As a theologian, Mamisoa has seen how raising awareness and developing just actions liberate and empower people oppressed by institutional discrimination. Mamisoa lives in Berkeley, CA, with her husband, Lala, and two of her four children, Sandratana and Sariaka.’
As a theologian, Mamisoa has seen how raising awareness and developing just actions liberate and empower people oppressed by institutional discrimination. Mamisoa lives in Berkeley, CA, with her husband, Lala, and two of her four children, Sandratana and Sariaka.’
Monia T. Yust, R.N., M.S.
Board Chairperson
Monia Yust has a huge heart for others and has, with her husband John, visited and missioned in more than sixteen countries. She volunteers as a Commissioned Lay Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Palm Bay. She has worked diligently to bring the needs of mission work worldwide before her congregation.
Monia graduated cum laude from Florida State University in Nursing and added an M.S. later in Health Services Administration from Florida Institute of Technology. Monia and John married in 1968 and have two wonderful sons, their lovely wives, and two wonderful grandsons in college. A Sheltie dog named Ginger rounds out their nuclear family. Monia enjoys mission trips and the people she meets. When not traveling, Monia and John enjoy fishing, riding, biking, and walking/hiking. Inside, both enjoy jigsaw puzzles. Ginger, of course, gets her share of Monia and John’s time and attention.
Hilda L. M. Azukile
Board Member
Hilda has been a longtime educator and missionary. In particular, she worked for ten years in Madagascar, where she was instrumental in a variety of education and development projects in the capital city, Antananarivo. Hilda went on to teach English Language and Literature for thirty-eight years in public, private, and international schools in virtually all primary and secondary grades.
Hilda was also appointed and trained by the Bible Study Fellowship as a Teaching Leader of Antananarivo, during which she taught more than 200 women, presenting expository lectures on various New and Old Testament books of the Bible while providing training for Group Leaders and Children's Leaders. She attended the Christian Leadership Training program under the Haggai Institute at Maui Training Centre, Hawaii, where she focused on evangelical skills and the 'Great Commission.
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Jan Heckler, M.A.
Board Member
Jan Heckler, M.A. – was trained as a research psychologist at the University of Florida and completed all the requirements for her Ph.D. except the dissertation. She has lived and worked in five sub-Saharan African nations, beginning as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Zimbabwe and completing her tenure overseas in Madagascar as a consultant to the 730 school educational system of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM).’
She helped the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia gain a $417 million grant from a five-donor-nation/World Bank consortium in 2008. She lives and works as a freelance writer and consultant in Malabar, FL.
Alexis Scranton, M.S.
Board Member
Alexis began her career teaching kindergarten and third grades in the public school system in Atlanta. She later moved to South Korea and taught English to students from ages 5 to 12 in the public sector. These experiences led her to Malaysia and Brunei, where she worked as an elementary teacher trainer and instructional coach for math and literacy in the Ministries of Education.
In addition to her time abroad, she has worked with diverse populations in the United States. Alexis’ skill sets of leadership, learning design, facilitation, coaching, intercultural competence, critical thinking, and relationship building are all required for her current work in partnership development and helping to cultivate alliances to improve English literacy teaching for children and adults.
Alexis also volunteers to support teachers who are increasing their intercultural competency in a global competency certification program. She facilitates intergroup dialogues with teachers from around the globe who are earning their certificates. Additional volunteer involvement includes serving as a life coach and financial coach for organizations, helping individuals in under-resourced areas who are seeking to improve their circumstances.
In addition to her time abroad, she has worked with diverse populations in the United States. Alexis’ skill sets of leadership, learning design, facilitation, coaching, intercultural competence, critical thinking, and relationship building are all required for her current work in partnership development and helping to cultivate alliances to improve English literacy teaching for children and adults.
Alexis also volunteers to support teachers who are increasing their intercultural competency in a global competency certification program. She facilitates intergroup dialogues with teachers from around the globe who are earning their certificates. Additional volunteer involvement includes serving as a life coach and financial coach for organizations, helping individuals in under-resourced areas who are seeking to improve their circumstances.
