The Team | Azusa

Executive Team

Passionate for the Holy Ghost

In memoriam, The Visionary

Lester Donald Hughes Jr. (Dec. 3, 1945 - April 29, 2024) was the CEO/President of Lester Hughes Ministries, the Founder and President of Oakland Christian Center. He was the Co-owner with his wife Mary Grace Hughes of Blessed Productions, a publishing and media company in Brazil, and also Azusa School of Pastors and Leaders. He was the Executive Producer of two Christian movies, Born Again and 180 Days. They were apostles/ missionaries to Brazil for the last 24 years. Before his departure, he commissioned his wife Mary Grace to complete this work as Executive Producer. His legacy will be preserved and continue through his wife, disciples, and friends. His memory will extend into eternity.

Executive Producer / Director

Mary Grace Hughes made history in 1992 when she debuted The Mary Grace Show on BTN (the Brazilian Television Network), the first Brazilian TV channel in the United States. Later, she produced several programs for American TV, such as Chris Elia, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2013 she graduated in Film Direction and Production from the Berkeley Digital Film Institute, with renowned Dean Patrick Kriwanek. While still studying, she was awarded for her project The God Nanny, a short film nominated to compete at the Cannes Film Festival. In partnership with her husband Lester D. Hughes Jr. she produced and directed two Gospel films: Born Again and 180 Days.Lester Donald Hughes Jr. (Dec. 3, 1945 - April 29, 2024) was the CEO/President of Lester.

Mondo De La Vega_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Producer / Adviser

Mondo De La Vega is Co-Host and Executive Producer of The Jim Bakker Show, host of The Mondo Show, and Executive Vice President of television programming for the PTL Television Network. He is also known for his creative contributions to other nationally syndicated television shows as a director and producer.

He is the spokesperson for the Azusa movie.

Producer / Promoter and Marketing Director

Troy Anderson is an acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, renown author, and former executive editor of Charisma Media. He will promote the film to various media outlets, including implementation of fundraising and investor partnerships. He will also lead the distribution and marketing for the movie.

Arts Director

Joe Torres, acclaimed by The New York Times and praised by Barnes & Noble, he will be responsible for the overall visual and artistic look of the movie, bringing the 1906 concept to life by overseeing the set design, locations, and props.

Producer & Liaison

Marilyn Johnson is the Liaison for the movie, as well as for the coordination and direction of prayer on and off the stage. She is also commissioned to gather churches and Spirit filled Christians nationally & internationally to pray for the Azusa William Seymour movie.

Line Producers / ADM

Chris and Shelley Simas have served in ministry for over 30 years. Chris has also been a business owner for more than 50 years. Together, they have successfully managed employees and overseen the financial responsibilities essential for success. As line producers for the movie, Chris and Shelley will ensure that filming stays within budget and meets the necessary time frames to achieve a successful production.

Producer

Alex Guedes is a photographer, book editor, pastor, and worship leader. He will be responsible for coordinating media and advertising in South America.

Producer

Ricardo Viegas is the pastor of Azusa Ministerial Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He will be responsible for coordinating the movie's distribution in South America.

Narrators

Rick Joyner

Rick Joyner is the Founder, President, and CEO of MorningStar Ministries, a multi-faceted mission organization known around the world. He is a prolific author who has written more than seventy books addressing spiritual, cultural, and political themes. His books include The Final Quest Trilogy, Overcoming Evil in the Last Days, Marxism’s Strategy for Destroying America, The Christian Duty to Resist Tyranny, and The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand. His work continues to inspire leaders and believers globally.

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Mondo De La Vega

Co-Host and Executive Producer of The Jim Bakker Show, host of The Mondo Show, and Executive Vice President of television programming for the PTL Television Network. He is also known for his creative contributions to other nationally syndicated television shows as a director and producer.

He is the spokesperson for the Azusa movie.

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Troy Anderson

A Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, six-time #1 bestselling author, former executive editor Charisma Media, and reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News. He’s founder of the Inspire Literary Group and Inspire PR Agency. He writes for Newsmax, Charisma, The Christian Post, and other media outlets, and is a regular commentator on Newsmax TV, CBN News and TBN. He lives with his family in Irvine, California. Learn more at:

www.inspireliterary.com
www.inspirepragency.com

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Apostle Wilma Berry

Apostle Wilma Berry is the CEO and
Co-Founder of Azusa Street Mission. Since 2006, they’ve mentored over 8,000 youth and adults in Los Angeles and abroad. Fred and Wilma Berry, ordained through Christian International, served as missionaries dedicated to sharing God’s word globally. AzusaFest and the William J. Seymour Award, an annual event, celebrates the spiritual legacy of the Azusa St. Revival. Fred Berry passed away in 2021, however, Wilma continues to expand the Mission, carrying the flame of Azusa to the next generation.

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Sundar Selvaraj

JESUS MINISTRIES

Brother Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj is the founder of JESUS MINISTRIES, a prophetic-evangelistic work which fulfills the call of God to pioneer evangelistic outreaches to people groups among whom Christ Jesus is little known or is unheard of. God's strong anointing in Brother Sadhu's life is attested by signs, wonders and miracles. Since 1979, the Lord God has been bringing Brother Sadhu to more than 50 nations around the world to be a witness for him.

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Jeff Oliver

Former Publications Managing Editor and current Associate Pastor at MorningStar Fellowship Church in Fort Mill, South
Carolina, Jeff is author of Keys to Experiencing Azusa Fire and the Pentecost to the Present trilogy on the Holy Spirit’s work through history. Jeff is also Founder & CEO of Global Wakening, a ministry that is inspiring and equipping a new generation with a supernatural Christian worldview.

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