Meet Our Team
Cornel Bucur
Founder/President
Cornel Bucur, a passionate ministry leader and pastor holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theology from Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College. In addition to leading forward the vision and mission of Pathway to Joy, Cornel enjoys an active role in teaching and discipleship in the ministry’s various projects and church plants. He is also an avid reader and creative writer. In his free time, you’ll find Cornel repairing cars, listening to music, or riding his motorcycle through the forest or exploring other adventurous trails.
Karen Bucur
Director of International Programs
Karen Bucur, a dedicated visionary leader, and advocate for vulnerable populations holds a master’s degree from Wheaton college and is currently doing doctoral studies at Liberty University in traumatology. Her role at Pathway to Joy revolves around the development of project initiatives that empower vulnerable children and help them heal and reach their full potential. She is also involved in Pathway’s publishing ministry researching and securing the publishing rights of Christ-centered discipleship resources for women, teens, and children in the Romanian language. In her free time, you’ll find Karen reading, cooking, or enjoying her family and grandchildren.
Gina Galea
Director of Finance and Administration
With a background in social work, Gina has also embraced the fascinating world of numbers on her professional journey, combining her passion for social causes with the field of accounting and administration. Gina graciously “wears several hats” around Pathway to Joy and is responsible for several tasks including payroll, invoicing, payments, budgets, reports, and financial monitoring. Gina is a hardworking and empathetic person that easily connects with those around her. She is an asset to this ministry and her daily actions reflect a sincere commitment to Pathway’s vision of Lasting Joy for Every Child.
Benjamin Bucur
Project Director
Learners Beyond the Bell
Orphan Mentoring
Benjamin Bucur, a dedicated Project Manager and Mentor holds a degree in Business Administration from Liberty University. His work at Pathway to Joy revolves around the Beyond the Bell Afterschool and Mentorship Programs. He loves tackling challenging and intricate problems, but he values one-on-one human connections above all else. Beyond his work hours, you’ll find Benjamin enjoying his family, fixing things, and sneaking out for an occasional mountain biking trip.
Alin Fekete
Mentor/Tutor
Florin Fekete, local Roma expert, dedicated to the Roma community in Tinca, graduated from the University of Oradea with a degree in Socio-Human Sciences. He is also involved in the afterschool project, coordinated by Pathway to Joy. He likes to be involved in solving the problems faced by the community he is a part of. After work, he spends the rest of his time with his family, going for walks with his wife and 4 children.
Simona Diaconescu
Social Worker
Learners Beyond the Bell
Simona Diaconescu, a novice social worker, recently graduated from Emanual University in Oradea with a degree in Social Work. She has decided to continue her studies and is now pursuing a master’s degree in counseling from the same university. She is involved in the after-school project in Tinca, where she carries out most of her work. She is also involved in delivering monthly food packages to struggling families in Pathway to Joy’s community projects. During her activity, Simona likes to observe behaviors, life situations and above all to understand, encourage, and help vulnerable children. She is passionate about personal development books, hiking and singing.
Lidia Lingurar
Social Worker
Learners Beyond the Bell
Orphan Mentoring
Lidia Lavinia Lingurar is a social worker with a degree in Social Work from Emanuel University in Oradea. Her activity at Pathway to Joy revolves around the afterschool and mentoring projects. Her motivation to love people comes from her desire to represent God to the people around her. In her spare time, she enjoys walks in nature and loves spending time with her loved ones.
Otilia Soanea
Director of Publishing
Otilia Soanea is the director of publishing at Pathway to Joy and holds a degree in Economic Sciences at the University of Oradea. Her work in this department is carried out on four levels: marketing, sales, administration, and translation/editing. She likes to use her creativity and experience in project and team coordination and enjoys finding the best solutions to our clients’ needs. Her passion is helping others discover their talents and spiritual gifts, and she is dedicated to serving the women and girls in her church. Beyond her job and work, Otilia is a wife and mother, and she loves spending time with her husband and their two boys, now teenagers, who bring her the greatest satisfaction.
Emanuela Bora
Translator/Editor
Emanuela-Claudia Bora, translator at Pathway to Joy Publishing, graduated from the Emanuel University in Oradea, majoring in Baptist Theology-English language, then continuing with a master’s degree in British and American Studies-translation studies at the University of West Timișoara. Her activity is focused on the translation of Christian books and resources into the Romanian language, as well as in the editing or proofreading of materials translated by the publishing ministry’s collaborators. She is passionate about languages and likes listening to music, singing, and photographing sunrises, sunsets, and clouds.