9 November 2026 | St Albans, UK [Joe Philpott]
Lidija Runic, former senior pastor of two Seventh-day Adventist churches in Belgrade, Serbia, has been named the Trans-European Division (TED) recipient of the 2026 Junia Award. The Association of Adventist Women recognised her work across local church ministry, theological education and mentoring women who serve in ministry.
Runic’s path to pastoral ministry began with training in computer programming. After sensing a call to help others deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, she studied theology and earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry. While in Belgrade, she led two congregations, taught practical theology at Belgrade Theological Seminary, served as a student dean, and mentored women colleagues in ministry.
Reflecting on what sustains her ministry, Runic pointed to God’s faithfulness. “What inspires me most in my ministry is God’s faithfulness! Whenever we think that nothing is happening, something is happening. Something is always happening with God!”
“Ministry is not for the faint of heart. It is always challenging, and it has to be, because we are on the enemy’s territory,” she added. “Yet, we are joining forces with the One who knows no failure and remains faithful until the end.”
Her ministry has also taken her beyond Belgrade. She previously served as secretary for mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and established a ministry at a men’s prison in Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina, that continues today. She has served on both the TED and General Conference (GC) executive committees.
At the 2024 European Pastors’ Council in Belgrade, Serbia, Runic spoke about the value of women in ministry learning from and supporting one another. “We are all different, and it’s beautiful. We learn from each other, support each other, and cheer each other up,” she told tedNEWS.
The Junia Awards, now in their third year, recognise women serving in leadership and ministry across the worldwide Adventist Church. Runic follows Joanna Krupa-Roszak of Poland, who received the TED award in 2024.
Today, Runic now lives in the United States, where she began serving as discipleship pastor at Walla Walla University Church, Washington, in September 2026.
The Association of Adventist Women also named 2026 recipients from other regions: Mariam Gitonge Samo, Olga Kholopova, Milena Rey Alba, Rebecca Kessewa Gaisie, Violeta Bilan, Joyce Chen, Inez Zarate, Romina Masih, Costas Kadango, Elfino Elmo, Jazel May Martinez Diaz and Martha Oparebea Duodu Duah. Aawsda
[Featured image: Lidija Runic preaches “Follow Me as I Follow Christ” at the European Pastors’ Council in Belgrade, Serbia, on 29 August 2024. Photo: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)]
