AIIAS is pleased to announce the arrival of the new Missions Professor for Applied Theology in the Seminary, Dr. Olaotse Obed Gabasiane and family from Gaborone, Botswana.
Dr. Gabasiane previously served as Executive Secretary & Ministerial/Education director in the Botswana Union Conference, Southern Africa Indian-Ocean Division; Director of Development, Kanye Seventh-day Adventist College of Nursing, Kanye, Botswana; Adjunct professor, Lake Michigan College, Michigan, USA and Solusi College, Zimbabwe. He has also worked for the Department of Mines, Botswana Government, and the Debswana Diamond Mine, in Jwaneng, Botswana.
He has a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies in Mission & Ministry from Andrews University, Michigan, USA (2014) and a Masters of Divinity (Equivalency) from the same university (2008); He also has a Masters in Pastoral Ministry, Solusi University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (2001).
His wife, Betty Chandapiwa Gabasiane, earned her undergrad Social Work & Counseling Degree and a Minor in Addiction Studies from Western Michigan University, Michigan, USA (2014). She has served as a volunteer Counselor for Schools and Prisons (including Substance and Drug Abuse Counseling). She has also served as Shepherdess Coordinator in the Botswana Union Conference.
They are blessed with two children, a girl and a boy, who are both studying at Maxwell Adventist Academy in Nairobi, Kenya: Itumeleng (Grade 12) and Segofalang (Grade 9).
With Betty’s focus on counseling in schools and prisons, and her background in addiction studies, the couple brings a unique perspective on the importance of prevention, awareness, and recovery programs that go beyond surface-level interventions and instead nurture lasting change in people’s lives.
In the broader conversation on addiction recovery, creating safe and supportive environments where individuals can rebuild their lives is critical. This is particularly true for men who often struggle with societal pressures that discourage them from seeking help. Specialized programs such as men’s drug rehab at Sacred Journey Recovery highlight the value of tailored care, where therapy, counseling, and community support work hand in hand to address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the emotional and spiritual healing required for long-term recovery.
