Regional coordinators to transition in 2024
(Clockwise from top left) Regional coordinators Dr. John Oduro-Boateng and Dr. Jose Luis Guerrero have announced plans to retire at the end of 2023. They will be replaced by Dr. Francisco Moraga and Dr. Martin Luther Djiche Osse.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—The Luke Society is preparing for a major transition in its regional coordinator positions in 2024.
Dr. John Oduro-Boateng (Kasei, Ghana) and Dr. Jose Luis Guerrero (Coacoatzintla, Mexico) have announced their plans to retire at the conclusion of 2023. The Latin American Regional Coordinator role will be filled by Dr. Francisco Moraga (Jinotepe, Nicaragua), while Dr. Martin Luther Djiche Osse (N’Dali, Benin) will become the new African Regional Coordinator.
Guerrero and Oduro-Boateng and have been affiliated with the Luke Society for a combined 56 years, including 43 years as regional coordinators.
Oduro-Boateng, 68, is a longtime pillar in the Luke Society. He began his career as a ministry director in Kasei, Ghana, in 1988. During his 33 years, he transformed his ministry from a one-room mud hut to a thriving hospital campus known throughout central Ghana. He was appointed regional coordinator by Dr. Peter Boelens in 1996. In 2021, he retired as executive director of the Luke Society Ghana, a ministry now led by his son, Kwami.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to get to know John personally, first as a PMT to Benin and then as the executive director of the Luke Society,” said Dr. Brent Van Andel. “I have had the privilege of traveling with him to many ministries in Africa. He has been a mentor to me and a great encouragement. ‘Papa Africa’ will be missed. He has been a part of the Luke Society for many years. As we look back, we praise God for the work He has done through him.”
Guerrero, 65, joined the Luke Society in 2002 with a calling to help children and families in poverty in a neighborhood of Jalapa, Mexico. The founder of Vida en Abundancia de Mexico served as executive director of the ministry until retiring in 2017. He was appointed Central America Regional Coordinator by Dr. Wrede Vogel in 2006, and since 2018 has been the regional coordinator for all Latin America.
“I first met Jose Luis at a Luke Society Conference in Chicago more than 10 years ago,” Van Andel said. “He needed a translator for his presentation and since I knew Spanish I was asked to help. As I assisted with his talk, I was impressed by the passion that he had for the children in his community. This passion can be clearly seen in the commitment he shows doing his job — first as director of his ministry and more recently as regional coordinator. His leadership and encouragement have been a great support to Luke Society directors across Latin America.”
Osse, 53, will become only the second regional coordinator in Africa. A native of Niger, Osse moved to Benin in 2000 to work at a Christian SIM hospital. During his time there, he evaluated and recognized the need for better health care in the region of N’Dali. He began a ministry partnership with the Luke Society in 2005. Today, Centre Medio-Social Luc au Jourdain is a robust health center with 37 employees. Osse will continue to direct the ministry in addition to his new regional coordinator duties.
“He is a gifted surgeon and administrator. He is a man of integrity and a mature leader,” Van Andel said. “He understands the Luke Society well and has many contacts throughout Africa. I believe he will be an excellent regional coordinator.”
Moraga, 58, is also a familiar face in the Luke Society. The Luke Society partnered with his ministry, Fundacion San Lucas, from 2001-19 The ministry continues to bring health education, financial stability and improved sanitary conditions in the western Nicaragua province of Carazo.
“Francisco has specialized training in pediatrics and public health,” Van Andel said. “He has a deep understanding of the Luke Society’s model of teaching, preaching and healing. We are excited to welcome him to his new role as regional coordinator.”
Regional coordinators are essential components to the Luke Society team. They provide oversight for existing Luke Society ministries by mentoring and encouraging directors in their calling. They also help to identify Christian visionaries who could become future Luke Society ministry partners.
In addition to Latin American and Africa, the Luke Society has regional coordinators in Asia (Dr. Julius Surjadi) and Eastern Europe (Dr. Pal Oroszi).