About Us.

Junnie Ree Tecson Pagunsan was born on the Island of Mindanao, in the Southern Philippines. He is one of five children (three boys and two girls), and the second child of a pastoral family. From the time he was about 5 years old, his parents and extended family said that they could tell he was destined to be a pastor or missionary. This became increasingly evident by his earnest and deep love for people which has only grown with the years. Hospitality was modeled by his parents in many beautiful ways. An especially fond childhood memory is his father having built an extra-long table to accommodate friends, fellow workers and acquaintances not yet met. In their home, all were fed spiritually by genuine fellowship and delicious food lovingly prepared by his mother. Pastor Junnie loves serving others and continues his friendship style of sharing the gospel with each congregation and community where he plays an integral part. When he was 8 years old, his Dad moved the family a few miles from the city to establish a new community. For several years, their home was one of only two places that the public could access drinking water. Each family in the neighborhood would line up to get water. Junnie, with his siblings would assist with the water distribution. These are just a few of the many positive values that were instilled from his family. Always a servant leader from the days of his youth, Junnie was the president of his senior class in elementary and high school, and student government president in college. He graduated from Mountain View College receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. Before coming to the United States, Junnie served as a Chaplain and Missionary Coordinator of the Adventist Muslim Relations and Cross-Cultural Ministries. Also, as District Pastor for 13 churches. In June of 2000, Junnie made the most difficult decision of his life, leaving his family to find better opportunities for them and for himself in the United States. In the fall of 2000, he was accepted to the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Loma Linda Medical Center. After completing the program, an anonymous donor enabled him to continue his ministry at the Medical Center, while also serving as the Associate Pastor of Claremont Fil-Am Church in Claremont, CA. In 2000, his family finally moved from the Philippines to Richmond, VA. A special call presented in 2012, as he went from being a local member of the Far West End Seventh-day Adventist Church, to becoming the pastor! This distinctive congregation is composed of about 40 different nationalities and cultures. Aside from his pastoral responsibilities, he chairs the Board for FWESDA Church, is a Richmond Academy School Board Member, and serves on the Race & Diversity Taskforce for the Potomac Conference. Two highlights from 2022 are graduating with his MAPM (Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry) as his son Owen received his Bachelor’s degree in General Sciences; and becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States. For exercise, he enjoys playing the fastest growing sport in the world – Pickleball. This activity provides non-threatening ways to minister to his opponents as they face off on the court. He is grateful for this unique opportunity and continues to build lasting relationships by encouraging people in a spiritual journey with God. He is married to Marie Jean Mercado-Pagunsan, a Registered Nurse, who works as a Care Coordinator for Neuroscience ICU of the VCU Health System. They are blessed with 3 adult children, Jan Mikhail, Neil Owen, Shanelle Aira, who have careers in healthcare. Junnie’s deepest passion is loving others from the overflow of the love he experiences from God. He and his family enjoy serving the Far West End SDA Church. He is committed in helping others experience God’s love and amazing grace in the context of authentic relationships, nurturing spiritual development and discipleship, enabling them to discover their own spiritual gifts, and thus equipping them for effective ministry.