Introducing our new pastor: Julian Kastrati.

Pastor Julian Kastrati is a charter member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Albania, and one of the first of two Albanian pastors to be ordained to gospel ministry. Over the past 30+ years Pastor Julian has served the church in various capacities as a pastor, church planter, Associate Dean of Men at Newbold College, Executive Secretary, and departmental director for numerous ministries – Communication, Youth, Sabbath School, and Literature Evangelism. After substantial engagements in Albania and later in Germany, Pastor Julian moved to the United Kingdom over five years ago, where he served as district pastor, area coordinator (Northwest England) and Ministerial Director of the North England Conference.

Pastor Julian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Pastoral Studies, a Certificate in Christian Counseling, and Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Newbold College. He also holds a Masters in Leadership degree from Andrews University and is in the process of pursuing a DMin in Leadership degree also from Andrews.

Pastor Julian is a vibrant Seventh-day Adventist, strong biblical preacher, and possesses an engaging personality. His core values are: authenticity, service, joy and hope. He excels in transformational leadership and organizational change. He is skilled in building collaborative ministry teams. He is multicultural and multilinguistic, speaking fluent English, Albanian, German and Italian.

Pastor Julian’s heart beats for outreach and the relevancy of the everlasting gospel in increasingly post-Christian, secularized societies. He strives to encourage and empower others, prioritizes heart-to-heart conversations and believes strongly in pastoral care, ministry development, team leadership and friendship evangelism.

Additionally, Pastor Julian is also known as an avid Liverpool Football Club supporter while still struggling with the usage of the word “soccer”. He loves good food and never disappoints at potlucks…

Pastor Julian is married to Dr. Beatrice Kastrati, a fifth generation Seventh-day Adventist from Germany. Dr. Kastrati holds a medical degree from Ulm University. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health degree from Loma Linda University. She has previously served as a physician, and as the ADRA Director for Albania. During the past four years, Dr. Kastrati served as Director for Health Ministries, Possibility Ministries, Community Services, as well as Ministerial Spouses Association Coordinator at the North England Conference.

The Kastratis are blessed with a nine-year-old daughter, Albulena, who is looking forward to attending fifth grade at the Armona Union Academy.

Please keep the Kastrati family in prayer!

Daniel has served as the Head Elder of the Hanford English SDA church since 2024. He is passionate about God's love for us and desires this message to be shared with those who are in need of a Savior.

Each and every follower of Christ is called to share Jesus through the gifts and opportunities given by God's grace. We invite you to join us in the joy of that responsibility, and share Him through acts of love and His word, to our Hanford community and the world.