Nine Adventist women who are making significant contributions to their churches, professions, families and communities will be recognized and celebrated during the 21st Annual Conference of the Association of Adventist Women (AAW) in Loma Linda, California, Oct. 16–19.
As the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, Pat Gustin, a College Place, Wash., resident, is an exemplary honoree. Focusing on the work of a missionary, educator and administrator on several continents and in diverse cultures, she exemplifies a Christ-centered life of excellence in service and a life-long commitment to the mission of the Adventist Church.
In 1967, Gustin began her extensive cross-cultural career at the Far Eastern Elementary School and Academy in Singapore. With 23 productive years of experience as dean, principal, teacher, pastor, supervisor of tribal educational centers, on-site work with refugees on the Thai-Cambodian border, supervisor of English language schools and student missionary coordinator in Thailand, she was uniquely prepared to become the first woman director of the Institute of World Mission located in Berrien Springs, Mich. Presently she manages the training of missionary personnel in the areas of anthropology, theology of mission, cross-culture witnessing, third-culture kids and English as a second language (ESL).
Likewise, Gustin has been a critical contributor in developing initiatives such as re-entry programs for returning missionaries and their children, The Mission and Across Culture Seminars for church leaders worldwide, and the publication of books.
Having given nearly 41 years of service to the church, her acute analysis of cross-cultural issues and her deep grasp of missiological theory and linguistics is a voice that is respected and understood by mission participants around the world.
