Trans-European Division Church President Receives Award for Excellence

Daniel Duda, president of the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (TED), was honored with the Charles Elliott Weniger Award for Excellence. The event took place on February 14 during the annual ceremony held at the Loma Linda University church in Loma Linda, California, United States. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and contribution to the mission of the Adventist Church, reflecting the legacy of Charles Elliott Weniger.

Bonnie Dwyer, one of the ceremony’s hosts, introduced Duda and highlighted his visionary leadership and his well-known phrase “Imagine if . . . ,” a theme that has shaped his creative preaching and fostered a culture of imagination and excellence across the TED. She also noted Duda’s long-standing commitment to theological education, from his early service as academic dean at Zaoksky Theological Seminary in Russia to his later role as lecturer in biblical and systematic theology at Newbold College, and his continued involvement in ministerial formation as transitional head of the Newbold Centre of Ministry and Mission.

The Weniger Medallion was presented by Gilbert Valentine, a member of the Weniger Executive Committee.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Weniger Medallion for Excellence. To be included among those whose lives and work have so richly contributed to the Adventist community, and whose names are respected even beyond Adventism, is both a privilege and a profound encouragement,” Duda said. “Whatever I was able to achieve, this has never been a solitary effort, but always shared journeys with inspiring local church members, students, professional colleagues, and mentors who shaped me to be the person I am today. I receive this award with gratitude, and also as a renewed invitation: to keep learning, to keep listening, to keep growing, and to keep using whatever gifts God has given me for the good of others.”

Duda was one of four recipients honoured this year. The other awardees were Helen Staples-Evans, E. Albert Reece, and John Thomas. Each year four individuals are selected for this award.

Ian Sweeney, TED field secretary, who attended the ceremony alongside Duda, described the recognition as a moment of pride for the division. “The Trans-European Division can be immensely proud to have Daniel as our president, not only because of his life journey beginning in Communist Czechoslovakia and the excellence he has demonstrated in ministry, academia, and leadership, but also because of the humility that defines his character,” he said. “While the Trans-European Division is among the smallest of the world divisions, in Daniel we have a leader who stands tall on the global stage.”

The Charles Elliott Weniger Award for Excellence was established in 1974 to honor the memory of Charles Elliott Weniger, a respected professor at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and later at Andrews University. Known as an inspiring teacher and gifted public speaker, Weniger influenced an entire generation of Adventist leaders.

Ten years after he died in 1964, three of his friends founded the Charles E. Weniger Society to preserve the values that defined his life and ministry. Since its establishment the society has recognized individuals who embody similar traits of integrity, excellence, and dedicated service to the Adventist Church and the wider world.

Two hundred eight individuals have received the Weniger Medallion, marking more than five decades of recognition for distinguished service within the global Adventist community. For the TED, Duda’s recognition highlights his contribution to the mission of the Adventist Church across the division.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.