Don Mackintosh is the Pastor of the Weimar University Church, the Director of the HEALTH program and the spiritual counselor for the Nedley Depression Recovery Program. Don is married to Luminitsa. They have four children. Two of which attend Weimar University (Elizabeth (nursing) Katherine (education) and two who are of academy age (Don and James).
He enjoys playing the violin, hiking and winning souls for Christ.
Tom Kanomata MD was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Tom had served in the church in multiple capacities through, from Junior Sabbath School teacher to head deacon, to his current role. He enjoys serving on mission trips, doing bible studies. He currently works in Grass Valley California, serving as a Primary Care Provider for the community, specializing in geriatrics.
Tom is married to Shelley, and has 5 children, Nicole, Ashley, Matthew, Caleb and Abigail. Along with 5 grandchildren, he enjoys playing the trumpet with the church’s brass group. Tom also enjoys photography, hiking, playing with the grandkids and serving the church, his most favorite hobby.
His favorite verse in Jeramiah 33:3
Steve Brownell is the current Director of NEWSTART at Weimar Institute a lifestyle program which as changed thousands of lives. He is also the Interim Chief Officer of Operations at Weimar Institute. He also serves as elder at Weimar Campus Church. Plus his education includes nursing which he also works part time.
His passion is in ministry and spreading the gospel. He is currently involved in starting a printing press for the institute to help spread the gospel as the autumn leaves. He also is involved in agriculture in raising healthy organic foods for the populus.
He is married to his wonderful wife Heather and has 3 children.
Keith was born in Queens New York and his family came into the church when he was just 6 years old through an It Is Written prophecy series. He was 10 when he first had a deep encounter with Jesus and has been growing in Christ ever since. He has a BA in Religion from Southern Adventist University and an MDiv from Andrews University. He has pastored many churches and even led out in a couple of church plants.
He has a daughter Angelina and his mother Barbara also lives with him on campus. He is currently the Development Director for the university. His favorite verses are Jeremiah 29:11-13.
RJ Gamboa, is a bible worker, Chaplain, spiritual coach and an elder in the Northern California Conference. He went to MEET Mission School in Huntington, TN where he was trained in evangelism and medical mission work.
He is married to Charinette Gamboa, a psychiatric nurse and they currently reside in Weimar California. His life burden is to win souls for Christ and hasten the second coming of Jesus.
Jason Hoewing has lived on Weimar campus since the Fall of 2020 with his wife Bonnie, who is on the faculty with the university's nursing program, and his 3 young daughters.. Jason formerly served as a lay pastor at Garnet SDA Church in Wilder, Idaho, and worked as an EMT, a building contractor, and farmer.
Jason is currently studying as a full-time Master’s student in the Biblical Missions and Wellness program at Weimar University. He is also the director of Total Community Involvement with the University, which is a campus-wide friendship evangelism initiative that utilizes Christ’s method of teaching, preaching, and healing in the local communities surrounding Weimar University.
Jason enjoys helping people learn about how to make the health message of the Seventh-day Adventist church practical and possible, and showing new believers the power of the gospel.
Masato was born in Okinawa, Japan and raised here in California. Early in his life he learned that medical missionary service should be an integral part of the work of every church member. He had served as deacon and elder in several different congregations both here in America and in Japan.
Masato had graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle with a degree in Naturopathic medicine and was in clinical practice for 10 years in the Seattle area. In 2017, Masato was invited to join the Natural Science faculty at Weimar university. He and his wife Mariko have been blessed with three beautiful daughters (Michelle, Erica, and Eireen).
Michelle, a graduate in nursing from Weimar, married a Weimar classmate (Daniel Byrkit) and now we are blessed with our first grandson! Erica works as the Registrar for Weimar and Eireen is in the Academy hoping to go on to nursing school at Weimar.
Music is a big part of his family – Mariko teaches music here at Weimar and all their children play in the college ensemble. The family enjoys singing together and playing music together as a family. The family loves to grow gardens, paddleboard, and backpack during the warmer months. When winter comes, skiing and snowboarding in the mountains are a favorite pastime
Favorite Bible verse is Micah 6:8.
Kirk Krueger's expertise in flooring installation is matched only by his dedication to his family, his faith, and his love for the outdoors. Over the course of his career, he has honed his craft and become a trusted name in the industry. Clients know they can count on Kirk for quality work and exceptional service.
When he's not working or spending time with his family, Kirk can be found on the racquetball court or hitting the slopes for some skiing. He takes his fitness seriously and believes that staying active is essential for both physical and mental health.
Kirk's commitment to sharing his faith with others that truly sets him apart. He is a regular volunteer at the Weimar Campus Church, where he serves as an elder, Junior Sabbath School leader, and mentor. He has a genuine passion for helping young people discover the love of Jesus and guiding them on their spiritual journey.
Andrew Kuninobu was born in Southern California. However, he spent his formative years, from age 8 to 18, growing up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. He has been involved in church work since the year he spent as a student missionary in Japan during college. He was ordained as an elder at the Fallbrook SDA Church and through the years, taught a number of Sabbath school classes including Juniors, Earliteen, Youth, and Young Adult. He also helped in the Pathfinder Club.
He now serves as an elder at Weimar Campus Church and helps in the Junior division at the Weimar Campus Church. He splits his work time between a rural health clinic and the NEWSTART Lifestyle Program. In his free time, he enjoys being out in nature by hiking, bicycling, and camping.
He and his wife, Eileen, have three adult children. He has many favorite Bible verses, one of them being Galatians 2:20
Leland is an Elder at the Weimar Campus church. He has a bachelors in Computer Science from Union College. He is married to Laura Krum and has four children, Austin, Andrew, Alec and Adelle. He works in Online Learning at Weimar University and loves music and using technology to draw people to Jesus.
Neil Nedley, MD, is founder and medical director of the community-based and residential Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Programs™ and Optimize Your Brain™. Dr. Nedley is an award-winning practicing physician who also serves as president of Weimar University, a higher education college that houses the NEWSTART program. He has presented and published numerous scientific studies in the medical/scientific literature and is well known as an author, public speaker, and teacher throughout the world.
He is an instrument rated pilot, and he and his wife Erica love mountain hiking, and have 4 sons, and 2 granddaughters.
Dr. Phodidas Ndamyumugabe, is a Professor of Religion at Weimar University. He is married to Jacqueline Basime and, together, they have three sons.
Dr. Phodidas has always experienced God’s love and presence in his life but in a special way, he witnessed God’s miraculous answer to prayer during the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda, which he survived after digging his grave and preaching to killers. You can read this story in his book, “Preaching from the Grave”. His message is that the God of Daniel, and his three companions never changes in the way he deals with those who love and trust in Him.
Dr. Phodidas' passion is to reach out to the unreached and the needy, through evangelism and social-related initiatives.
Rodolfo Ramírez was born in Mexico City, but grew up in Ensenada, Baja California, and has served the church in multiple capacities since he was 16 years old. He was ordained and served as the head elder for his church district in Ensenada for 20 years before coming to the USA. He came to Weimar in 2018, resides on campus and serves as WU director of student services.
He and his beloved Pilar, who works in Human Resources for the institute, have a beautiful family of five, including their three children, Joaquín who attends Weimar University, Eliana attends Weimar Academy, and Ana Paula who attends the Elementary school on campus.
Rodolfo enjoys digital and film photography.
His favorite text is (Heb 11:13,14)
Randall Steffens II has taught at Philippines Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism, was the interim director of the Sarata Noua School of Evangelism in Moldova, taught at the Herghelia School of Evangelism in Romania, and was assistant to Pastor Don Macintosh in running the HEALTH Evangelism Program at Weimar University. He has held Bible Prophecy seminars nationally and internationally. He currently serves as Chaplain and IT Director at Stallant Health and Wellness.
He is blessed with a lovely wife Cristina and two happy daughters.
Dojčin Živadinović, Ph.D. was Born in Croatia, Mediterranean Europe. He has a BA and MA in Theology from Collonges University in France and Ph.D. from Andrews University, Michigan. He has also completed the Weimar Institute HEALTH Lifestyle Coaching Certificate. Currently teaching Theology and Religion at Weimar College, CA. Married with one wife, Ana, and has two young daughters Rebeka and Mila. Enjoys hiking in nature, studying History and the Bible, and leading Bible tours in Europe and the Middle East. Dojcin's commentary on the book of Revelation will soon be in print.
Allan and his wife Bonni have three daughters, Jessica, Makayla and Alaina. He and his family moved from Northern MI in 2018 to the Weimar area. He studied engineering in Northern Michigan at Lake Superior State University where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Currently he is a Resident Engineer who manages the construction of large civil works projects in the Northern California area He enjoys working with his hands, constructing projects, learning how to do things, farming and helping others. He has recently just completed building the family's new home. His interests are helping others and providing solutions to problems.
Allan currently leads a team of deacons that provide support to the various ministries in the church. The goal is to provide a safe, organized place where people feel welcome and comfortable to learn about God. He believes that actions speak louder than words and his hope is that people will be attracted to Jesus through his actions.
Melissa has been privileged to be involved in her church in multiple ways, from being a student church board member at her college church and director of creative ministries, to song service coordinator, inreach leadership team member, and others. Currently she is blessed to serve her Lord as head deaconess and as co-leader of Women’s Ministries (along with Miriam Feese) at the Weimar University Church.
Melissa is the wife of Rick Garcia, with whom she shares a daughter, Mariah. She is the chair of the Christian Interdisciplinary Department and an associate professor of psychology at Weimar University. She enjoys hanging out with family and friends, hiking, listening to classical music, reading, trying new vegan dishes (as both cook and taster), and learning new facets of Jesus Christ.
Favorite text Ephesians 2: 10
Parvinder was born in New Delhi, India, in a Sikh family. She became a Seventh-Day-Adventist at age twenty-six when she realized that Jesus loved her personally and gave Himself for her. She loves her Lord and does whatever she can to hasten His soon coming.
She is married to Philippe Nelson and has three wonderful children, Rebecca, Stephen, and Sara. She loves her family and her church family. She works part-time as a physical therapist.
She enjoys cooking/trying new healthy recipes, hiking in the beautiful Sierras, and participating in Weimar TCI (Total Community Involvement).
Her favorite Bible verse is Zephaniah 3:17
Born in communist and predominantly orthodox Romania, Ion emigrated to the US with his brother and parents when he was 12 years old. As a teenager and young adult, Ion grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended UC Davis, where he earned degrees in Economics and German. More than half of his professional experience of 29+ years in accounting and finance, Ion spent as an Accounting Manager for an earth science consulting company based in the Bay Area. Currently, Ion serves as the Controller for the California Grocers Association in Sacramento.
Ion and Lidia have 3 children, Vlad, Andrada and Tudor. Ion moved back to Romania in the mid-2000's, after meeting Lidia. After Tudor was born, Ion brought the family to live in the US. He accepted Jesus as his Savior in 2017, after attending their first church for a few years, after starting to read the Bible and realizing how the Lord had actually led throughout his life and in Lidia's life.
Ion, Lidia and Tudor moved to Weimar in the second half of 2019 to become part of the Weimar community, one year after seeing college students from the Weimar University lead vespers, Sabbath school and services and sing hymns at the their old church in the Bay Area. They had a special presence about them that impressed Lidia and Ion to the point where they visited Weimar shortly thereafter. After a few visits, Lidia and Ion were convinced that they wanted to move and continue Tudor's education in the Weimar environment.
Please see the above bio
Maryann grew up in Texas, where she met her husband, Kirk, at Southwestern Adventist University. They raised their family of five children in Colorado and Tennessee before moving to California in 2014 to put their children in school at Weimar Institute (now Weimar University). Hired in 2014 to be the library manager at Weimar University, Maryann returned to school to earn a Master’s in Library and Information Science and currently serves as the University Librarian. She has served as the Children’s Sabbath School Superintendent for the Weimar Campus Church since its beginning.
She enjoys spending time with her husband and four daughters more than anything, but she also enjoys swimming, spending time in nature, and teaching children’s Sabbath School. Her desire is to make a difference in a child's life by introducing them to Jesus.
Mariko is a 5th generation musician, who was educated in the Adventist school system from Elementary to High-school in Japan. She graduated from Kobe College with a double major in pipe organ performance and music education, with additional postgraduate training in pipe organ performance. She has years of teaching/conducting and piano/organ performance experiences in Japan and America. She taught at Hiroshima Academy, Saniku Gakuin college, performance at Tokyo Yomiuri Hall, Walla Walla University and many other churches and schools.
She is the wife of one husband, mother of three daughters and son(daughter’s husband), grandma of one grandson.
Her current responsibilities are leading the Weimar University chamber orchestra and teaching piano/organ lessons. She participates in the Newstart Lifestyle Program and Depression & Anxiety Recovery Program music therapist. She currently holds the position of Minister of Music at Weimar University Church.
Daniel Velez Wagner has a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Management, and has made it his mission to keep the church at the edge of modern technology. He has been in charge of the AV department since the beginning of our church. He studies Aviation and Germanic languages, and enjoys traveling, spending time in nature, horseback riding, and reading a good book.