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. While still studying, she was awarded for her project The God Nanny, a short film nominated to compete at the Cannes Film Festival.
Graduated at Rhema Bible Training Center. In partnership with her late husband Lester D. Hughes Jr. she produced and directed two Gospel films: Born Again and 180 Days.
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 & 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
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.
Producer
Alex Guedes is a photographer, book editor, pastor, and worship leader. He will be responsible for coordinating media and advertising in South America.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
To authentically capture this spiritual and historical dimension, the film will feature a dedicated Music Director responsible for recreating the musical atmosphere of the original 1906 Azusa meetings. The production will incorporate many of the hymns and worship expressions historically associated with the revival, several of which remain familiar and meaningful to modern audiences.
Adlan Cruz, a pianist, performer, director, musical producer and philanthropist, has a career that spans three decades. Having performed concerts in over 60 nations, he is recognized as one of the most successful musical representatives Puerto Rico has given to the world.
Adlan serves as the Music Director for the Azusa Movie, overseeing the musical service scenes and producing the orchestrated musical scores for the film.
Narrators
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.
SID ROTH
Jewish believer, author, media pioneer, and global evangelist, has spent more than five decades proclaiming that Jesus [Yeshua] is the Messiah and that the supernatural promises of the Bible are real today. After a dramatic encounter with God, Sid committed to sharing that reality with others, founding Messianic Vision in 1977, and later launching the acclaimed TV show It’s Supernatural! Through television, books, digital media, and worldwide outreach, he has inspired millions with a simple message: God is real, Jesus is the Messiah, and the supernatural life found in Scripture is available today.
kelvin cobaris
Over the past thirty-plus years, Bishop Kelvin Cobaris has served the body of Christ in various capacities. He is the Founder and President of Bridge Builders Network, Inc., an ecumenical organization uniting cultures and generations for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Named as one of Orlando Sentinel’s 100 Influential Voices, he has advised various Presidential and political leaders and is currently serving on The White House Office of Faith and Opportunity Initiative.
bilLye brim
Dr. Billye Brim's ministry from its hub, A Glorious Church Fellowship in Collinsville, OK, reaches out through the avenues of Prayer Mountain in the Ozarks and Migdal Arbel Prayer and Study Center in Israel. The Lord, through her teaching via meetings, media, books, and worldwide travels, has touched many. Baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1967, she experienced the move called the Charismatic movement and is a longtime student of the Word and the Spirit.
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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.
candice smithyman
Candice is currently the host of the Glory Road TV show, which is broadcast internationally through Faith USA Network, Faith UK, Faith Africa, King Television, Praise Television, Precious Television, Charisma Magazine Online, Kingdom Flame TV, and Life Stream Networks. She also hosts Your Path to Destiny, which airs on the ISN – It’s Supernatural! Network and YouTube.
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.
Apostle Wilma Berry
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.
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:
Jeff Oliver
Former Publications Managing Editor for MorningStar Ministries in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and current Associate Pastor for Friends of the Bridegroom Church in Lancaster, South Carolina. Jeff also authored Keys to Experiencing Azusa Fire and the Pentecost to the Present trilogy on the Holy Spirit’s work through history. In 2025, Jeff founded Power of the Spirit Ministries to inform, inspire, and ignite this generation with a supernatural Christian worldview.
LEADING ACTORS
Will feature award-winning Billboard singer Sinach in a major supporting role, alongside rising talent James Jacobs, who takes the lead.
executive associates
The five-member powerhouse team leading the 2-million-ticket advance sales campaign for the upcoming film, Azusa’s William Seymour: The Miracle Worker. These individuals are driving our engagement efforts to reach this significant sales milestone.
candice smithyman
Founder of Dream Mentors International, a global biblical life coaching organization. She is host of the Glory Road television broadcast on many worldwide networks and Your Path to Destiny on (ISN) It’s Supernatural Network. She has appeared as a guest on multiple tv shows such as Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural!, Paula White Today, Jim Bakker Show, among others and authored many books and publications.
grace knoDT
Founder of Grace to Worship and has served in global ministry for over 21 years, strategizing and aligning evangelists, worship leaders, pastors, and heads of state. Her work has included orchestrating ministry events, television production, and music production, reaching millions of people across more than 80 nations. In April 2015, Grace co-hosted a meeting at the United Nations regarding Christian persecution. The event brought together more than 30 international speakers to serve as a voice to the nations, including Steve Strang, Jonathan Cahn, Ret. Lt. General Jerry Boykin, and others.
SINACH
Sinach is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and senior worship leader with more than 30 years of ministry experience. She became the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter chart for 12 consecutive weeks. Her song Way Maker has accumulated global recognition and numerous awards since its release in 2015. In March 2019, it became the third Nigerian video to surpass 100 million views on YouTube. Way Maker has been covered by more than 60 Christian artists worldwide, and Sinach has a digital audience exceeding 28 million followers.
aline barros
Premier artist currently signed to Sony Music. As one of Brazil’s top singers, she has achieved unprecedented success in the gospel segment. Her ministry work has earned her numerous accolades, including eight Latin Grammy Awards and several gold and platinum records.
Aline maintains a significant social media presence, boasting 8 million followers on Instagram, 15.6 million followers on Facebook, and 4 million subscribers on YouTube. Attributing all of her success to God, Aline will be featured as a singer in the Azusa movie and will also serve as its official promoter in Brazil.
SID RoTH
Jewish believer, author, media pioneer, and global evangelist, has spent more than five decades proclaiming that Jesus [Yeshua] is the Messiah and that the supernatural promises of the Bible are real today. After a dramatic encounter with God, Sid committed to sharing that reality with others, founding Messianic Vision in 1977, and later launching the acclaimed TV show It’s Supernatural! Through television, books, digital media, and worldwide outreach, he has inspired millions with a simple message: God is real, Jesus is the Messiah, and the supernatural life found in Scripture is available today.
ELECTOR LOUIS PEARSON
Apostle Pearson is a leader, minister, entrepreneur, and mentor whose life reflects a powerful testimony of faith, ministry, and family. A graduate of Oral Roberts University, he has ministered through music across the United States and internationally in churches and conferences. He also pastored in the Caribbean for more than 20 years. While attending Oral Roberts University, Apostle Elector experienced the historic Azusa Revival meetings led by his uncle, Bishop Carlton Pearson. This defining spiritual encounter deepened his understanding of revival and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
FILM ACHIEVEMENTS
BY THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Executive Producer of the Christian feature films Born Again and 180 Days. Journalist, author, writer, and film director with more than 15 years of experience in the media and communications industry. Produced and directed multiple faith-based audiovisual projects focused on Christian inspiration and spiritual transformation. Worked for 10 years as a fashion designer, developing a strong background in creativity, visual composition, and artistic direction.
Mary Grace received an award incentive of R$4 million from ANCINE for her upcoming film, Ashes of Evil, to be produced in England, UK.
This funding follows a commendation from ANCINE for the high quality of Mary Grace's previous film, Born Again.
ANCINE is a Brazilian government agency that regulates films in Brazil.
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