Bible People in the News

MIAMI, USA — Loida Ortiz has succeeded Melvin Rivera as Coordinator of the UBS Americas Publishing Unit, effective from June 29. Mr Rivera recently resigned from the role to accept the position of International Director of Business Development with the American Bible Society interactive (ABSi). Ms Ortiz, who previously held the position of UBS Media and Communications Consultant, has served with the UBS since November 1991. “We are thankful for Loida’s Christian example and for the many talents God has endowed her with,” said Marco Herrera, Secretary of the Caribbean and North America Region. “I would ask [the Fellowship] to join me in congratulating her and in expressing our support as she acquires new responsibilities.”
    In other staff changes, Benjamin de Hoyos has resigned as Production Manager of the UBS Americas Publishing Unit to begin work on July 6 as Publishing Manager for the Sociedad Bíblica Americana – the Hispanic arm of the ABS. Mr de Hoyos has been succeeded by Jonathan Saenz Caceres from Colombia. (WR 362/IB1 - 09.01) e-151

HARARE, Zimbabwe — After 30 years of service with the Bible Society of Zimbabwe (BSZ), Gaylord Kambarami, 64, retired on July 31 as General Secretary – a position he has held for 21 years. A member of the United Methodist Church (UMC), Mr Kambarami has held a number of positions of responsibility within the Christian community in Zimbabwe. Within UBS, he served as a member of the UBS Executive Committee.
    Paying tribute to Mr Kambarami, the Rev Fergus Macdonald, UBS General Secretary, said, “We thank Gaylord for his 30 years of Bible Society service and wish him God’s rich blessing in the years ahead.”
    In a letter of farewell, Mr Kambarami expressed his thanks to the Fellowship for its support. “The work has been demanding but worthwhile and I leave with happy memories from all who supported us at Harare Bible House,” he wrote. “I hand over to my successor, Edward Mutema, whom we welcome heartily to the family.”
    Mr Mutema, 48, joins the BSZ after serving with the Zimbabwean government as deputy director of the Youth Department. A member of the United Baptist Church, Mr Mutema is married and holds a degree in theology and a Master’s degree in social planning in developing countries. (WR 362/IB2 - 09.01)

READING, England — The UBS has appointed Dr Gareth Evans as Global IT Services Coordinator, effective from September 3. Dr Evans, who was previously Principal Lecturer in Computing at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education, Wales, is a committed Christian who has been involved in relief work in Bosnia and Romania. He has also led short term missions in Belgium, France and Italy. Dr Evans is married with five children and will be based at the World Service Center. He succeeds Andrew Rugege, who left the post at the end of last year to work for the American Bible Society interactive (ABSi). (WR 362/IB3 - 09.01) e-151

READING, England — The UBS fellowship is asking its members to pray for three national Bible Society heads who are currently unwell. The Rev Doug Campbell, the Executive Director of the Scottish Bible Society, is being treated for Guillain-Barré syndrome – described by his doctor as a “rare but serious condition of the nervous system.” Gunnleik Seierstad, General Secretary of the Norwegian Bible Society, had a fall in June, suffering severe concussion. He is not expected to resume his duties for some time and Dag Smemo is acting General Secretary in the mean time. Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili, who represents the UBS in Georgia, is currently having medical treatment abroad and is expected back in mid-September. (WR 362/IB4 - 09.01) e-157

MIAMI, USA — Marco Herrera has been appointed Regional Secretary of the UBS Central America Region. In a joint statement, the Rev Fergus Macdonald, General Secretary of the UBS, and Ing Alberto Reyes, Chairman of the Area Board, said Mr Herrera would continue to serve in his present position of Regional Secretary of the Caribbean and North America Region, adding that his responsibilities would be reviewed in due course. “He is very well known in the region and has many years of UBS experience,” said Mr Macdonald. “I am fully confident that he will provide key leadership to the regional team, providing the services required by the Bible Societies.” Although Mr Herrera has been asked to form a unified staff team, the regions will retain their separate identities. (WR 362/IB5 - 09.01) e-153

Bible News in Brief