Team - Partners International-Partners International

BOARD

Kamesh Sankaran | Chairman of the Board

Kamesh Sankaran is a Professor of Physics at Whitworth University, where he has served since 2004. He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Plasma Science & Technology from Princeton University. His expertise is in advanced propulsion systems for spacecraft. In addition to teaching physics and engineering, he also teaches in the Worldview Studies Program … Read more

See Kamesh Sankaran's Story

Dan Brown | Vice-Chairman

Dan is the Chief Information Officer for the National Christian Foundation, based in Alpharetta, GA. Previous to that; he was the CIO of CredAbility and Crown Financial Ministries. Prior to that, Dan was Senior Vice President of Enterprise Information Technology at SunTrust Bank. There, he reported to the CIO and was a divisional manager, overseeing … Read more

Mark Johnson | Treasurer

Mark Johnson is an Attorney at Microsoft Corporation, where he supports the marketization of complex technology-based products and services. Prior to joining Microsoft, he worked at various law firms servicing business clients’ needs in regulatory compliance, business transactions, and corporate governance matters. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he gave his life … Read more

Elaine Lo | Secretary

Elaine has a long history with Partners International having supported its ministry for more than 15 years. Raised in a Christian home in Canada, some of her first memories are of the Chinese Christian Fellowship meetings her father, a professor affiliated with Ambassadors for Christ, would host. She, however, was not exposed to a missional … Read more

Joseph Vijayam | Board Member

Joseph Vijayam is the Managing Director of Olive Technology. He earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Biola University, CA, and an MBA in Information Systems from Georgia State University, GA. He serves as the Senior Associate of Technology for the Lausanne Movement and is a member of the Boards of Global Disciples, SIIRG and … Read more

John LaRue | Board Member

John LaRue is a Managing Partner with his wife, Carole, in Bay Avenue Ventures LLC, which invests in startup businesses including Meineke Car Care franchises in the Tampa Bay area and their son’s leather craft business. From July 2009 to July 2014. John was a Vice President at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews … Read more

Dana Allen | Board Member

Dana Allen is a consultant based in Spencer Stuart’s Dallas office and works with leading organizations as a member of the Consumer, Hospitality & Leisure, and Marketing Officer practices. An experienced search consultant, Dana helps clients recruit CEOs, presidents, general managers and senior functional executives in marketing, sales, innovation, analytics, and design. Before joining … Read more

Doug Hunter | Board Member

Doug Hunter began his business career in the vertical transportation industry in 1971 with Carter Elevator Company, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 1987. As a Christian CEO, Doug soon became involved with the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI). When he sold Carter Elevator in 1994, Doug moved to Atlanta to work full-time with FCCI. In the years that followed, God developed his heart for international ministry by allowing him to work, speak and influence business executives in over 30 countries. He participated in ground-breaking ministry in both Mongolia and Vietnam and became the Founding CEO of Media Asia – a project utilizing sports television in China as a platform for the gospel. From 1999-2001, Doug was part of the team of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. In 2002, he joined the staff of Perimeter Church in Atlanta to lead Business Partners International (BPI), a strategy to facilitate the global kingdom impact of men and women through the use of their business skills and passion … building on the belief that Business IS Ministry and Business IS Mission … and that the “call” to business is as essential to building the Kingdom of God as any other calling within the Body of Christ. In 2007 Doug returned to FCCI / Christ@Work as President and CEO and saw God expand its ministry of equipping and encouraging Christian business leaders both throughout the US and to 30 countries across the globe.

In February 2013, he was named Executive Director of the Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership (WCCL) at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina, and developed a program focused on 1) Biblical Worldview, 2) Faith Integration and 3) The Marketplace that quickly became known as a resource locally, nationally and globally. As part of his on-going engagement with the Global Marketplace Movement, Doug still serves as a consultant and member of the Global Leadership Team for the Global Cities Project of Campus Crusade for Christ International / Cru, is a member of the Lausanne Workplace Network, the Global Think Tank on Business As Mission and serves on the Leadership Teams of Call2Business and the National Faith & Work Association. On July 1, 2017, he initiated Doug Hunter, LLC, as a platform to allow him to utilize his broad range of leadership experience and extensive global network to connect and equip individual leaders as well as organizations to more effectively impact the world for Christ through the marketplace – whether that be locally or globally.

Doug has been married to his college sweetheart, Janet, since 1970. They have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren.

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Doug Hunter began his business career in the vertical transportation industry in 1971 with Carter Elevator Company, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in 1987. As a Christian CEO, Doug soon became involved with the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI). When he sold Carter Elevator in 1994, Doug moved to Atlanta to work … Read more

Mary Pudaite Keating | Board Member

The great grand-daughter of a headhunter, the Gospel message came to her tribe in Northeast India where her Grandfather was one of the first of 5 men who received Christ. Her father, Rochunga, translated the Bible into the language of the Hmar tribe with the help of Gospel Patrons, Bob Pierce (World Vision) and Dr. … Read more

LEADERSHIP

Larry Andrews | President/CEO

Larry was appointed to serve as President / CEO of Partners International In February 2013. Previously, Larry serve the Lord in a successful 28 year career in senior leadership with Hewlett Packard and Procter & Gamble, The Lord led Larry to take an early retirement from the marketplace in 2012, to seek and fulfill a deeper … Read more

Chris Phillips | VP of Ministry Advancement

Chris joined Partners International in September 2015 after working in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry for nearly 20 years. He was born and raised in Michigan in a Christian family. However, it was in a Navigators’ Bible study at Michigan State University where he first understood the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the calling that God … Read more

Carlos Calderon | Vice President of International Ministries

Carlos grew up in war-torn El Salvador. As a young man, he served as a youth pastor at his church, Iglesia Nazaret, led at the time by Argentinean Luis Bush who later became the President of Partners International and director of the AD2000 movement. After completing his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of … Read more

Don Hemmer | Chief Financial Officer

Don Hemmer joined Partners International as Chief Financial Officer in August 2013. He was born and raised in Marysville, Washington. He attended Central Washington University, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a … Read more

Linda Ziehnert | Director of Relationship Development

Linda began working at Partners in February 2016. Her main responsibility is to connect with and strengthen Partners’ relationship with donor churches and equipping them in any way she can. For over 16 years she was on staff as the Worship Ministry Director at a large church in Spokane. On the Mission Leadership Team, she … Read more

STAFF

Alissa Nadeau | Ministry Advancement Representative

Alissa knew of Partners International but it was not until she started working here Summer 2017 that “I came to understand the amazing reach of PI over much of the world!” As a Donor Development Coordinator, “I try to communicate with our donors the incredible importance of their role as foundational partners with us. It is a joy to talk with people who have passionate hearts for the souls we serve in the least reached, least resourced places.” Alissa graduated with a BA in Communications Public Relations from Washington State University. Her first job out of college was with a telemarking firm in Boston, the city where she met her husband. They have three children. The past six years, she had a unique job as a high school cheerleading coach. But Alissa says her favorite position in life so far has been “Homeschool Mom”! “On my job, I am able to utilize many things He has taught me over the years. It is truly a blessing to work in a place where we have a weekly Staff Chapel praying for our ministry partners, our staff and our donors.

Almagul | Area Communications Coordinator - Central Asia

Almagul was born in a Central Asian country to inter-ethnic Muslim parents. They moved often because of her father’s job as a policeman. The family was not religious, but Almagul said she knew that God exists. “I was blessed to study in a school that was established (unofficially of course) by missionaries,” she said. Her mother attended a homegroup and came to faith in Christ. When Almagul was 16, the family moved to another city and began attending a church where she came to Christ, was baptized, and committed her life to God. For eight years Almagul taught Sunday school while also attending university. After graduating, she joined the Camp Adonai ministry. “I was honored to contribute my small part in raising a new generation of committed Christians,” she shared. In Spring 2018, she became Partners International’s Area Communication Coordinator helping our Central Asia ministries in reporting back to their prayer and financial supporters. Almagul and her husband have two children.

Alyssa Stockdill | Partnership Development Support

Alyssa first became acquainted with Partners and its work in 2015 when she spent the summer volunteering with the International Ministries department. She earned her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington. Soon after graduating, she spent a year abroad working with a team of missionaries doing outreach to refugees and immigrants in Europe. Through her studies at UW and her experiences abroad, God instilled in her a passion for cultures, languages, community development, and cross-cultural ministry. Alyssa loves working at Partners because of the close-knit Christian community and its commitment to building the Church in the least reached places. In her free time, Alyssa likes to play the cello, read, and catch up with friends over coffee.

Cari Johnson | Women’s Ministry Director

Cari has been involved with Partners International’s women’s ministry for more than two years. In April 2015, she joined Partners full time, as the Director of Women’s Ministry. Married to a pastor for 25 years, Cari has experience leading and mentoring women, teaching Bible studies, and ministering within the church body. Her professional background is in Information Technology, Management, and Team Leadership. She is also a freelance writer and has published devotional articles. Cari says, “I love watching God work through the ministry of Partners International. I love how we serve and encourage our partners and the incredible work they do in such difficult circumstances. I love knowing that God is directly responsible for the outcome and that the work truly is His!” In her free time, Cari enjoys reading, writing, kayaking, learning to play the guitar, and spending time with her family.

Fei Yao | Ministry Advancement Representative

While attending a Perspectives course in 2017, Fei became aware of the great needs in the 10/40 Window where most people have yet to hear the Gospel. In 2018, she went on a year-long mission trip through the 10/40 Window, where she served with several local ministry organizations. Fei joined the PI Advancement team spring 2019 to present the work of PI to the Chinese community in the Bay Area and beyond. Fei graduated from University of California, Berkeley, with a BA in Economics and a minor in Chinese. She worked five years in public accounting and finance. In her free time, Fei loves to hike, run on the beach, eat good food, mentor youth, and spend quality time with loved ones. She is looking forward to engaging the Chinese community with the many opportunities to help build the Church in the least reached areas of the world through Partners International.

Hannah Pierce | Ministry Advancement Team Coordinator

Hannah learned about Partners International during her post-graduation job hunt. She wanted to be involved in a ministry that would further her passion for global missions. She relates that when she saw the PI website, “I was really drawn to the model of ministry that Partners employs.” Hannah attended Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, Washington, receiving a degree in Integrated Ministry Studies. For three years she interned as a communications assistant at her parents’ non-profit “Project41,” an organization that strives to bring clean water and irrigation systems to the developing world. Currently, she coordinates and teaches an ESL program for Karen refugees. Hannah shares, “I’m so excited to be working for an organization that lives out the call to bring the Gospel to the world! I love that this job will allow to me talk and pray with like-minded believers who are supporting the advancement of the Church!

Jemimah Lieow | Area Communications Coordinator - Mekong Southeast Asia

Jemimah grew up having many opportunities to see God in action through her parents who were missionaries in Malaysia. For most of her childhood, she was bedridden from an illness which gave her plenty of one-on-one time with God. She always thought she would outgrow her physical weaknesses, but God’s answer was always the same: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). As a result of her physical problems, Jemimah learned vast amounts of medical knowledge which not only helped herself but also, later on, people in the ministry fields. In 1999, Jemimah dedicated her life to Jesus in a teenagers’ camp. She attended seminary in Indonesia. After graduation, she went to work with our Affiliate ministry, Christian Nationals Evangelism Commission (CNEC) in Singapore overseeing the Ministry Advancement & Church Relations department. In 2019, Jemimah added part-time work with Partners International as Area Communication Coordinator for our ministries in the Mekong.

Joel Endress | Director of Marketing & Communications

Joel joined Partners International in 2013. He has a B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Simpson University and is a licensed Pastor at Access Church in Spokane. He is the young adult pastor at Access Church, and also serves on the board of Free Indeed Ministries. “I love that we as Partners International practice servant leadership. We don’t tell our Indigenous Ministry Partners what they are going to do, but rather we listen to what God has placed in their hearts to accomplish. By listening, we discover their vision, and by serving their vision we see true and lasting transformation.” In their free time, he and his wife enjoy hiking and rock climbing.

John Dekker | Missions Consultant

John Dekker is the longest-serving member at Partners International with over 35 years of ministry. With a lifetime of travel to countries in the 10/40 Window and beyond, John’s vast field experience and anthropological insights continue to shape cross-cultural communications and the development of effective methodologies to share the Gospel among indigenous leaders in partnership with PI. John continues to serve Partners in developing educational training materials such as ‘The Circle of the Gospel’, a wonderful tool that summarizes the fundamentals of our faith. The Circle of the Gospel and other materials developed by John and the International Ministry team are used in the field to equip Church Planters working among Unreached People Groups. John and his wife Helen have been married for over 60 years and enjoy spending time with their family.

Jonathan Jones | Digital Media Technician

Jonathan joined Partners in June 2018 as a videographer and editor. He graduated from Washington State University in 2012 with a B.A. in Communication, focusing on video production, and worked at TVW at the state capital covering state public affairs prior to Partners. Jonathan loves doing all things digital media, especially video and motion graphics. He has a beautiful wife and two adorable daughters, and in his free time he enjoys writing and recording music, bicycling, playing video games, and lounging in his hammock on warm summer days.

Kelly Clark | Accountant/Human Resources

Kelly joined the accounting/human resources team May 13, 2019. Previously she worked in non-profit manufacturing and banking. She has an A.A in Business Administration from Purdue University and is working on a BA in Christian studies from Grand Canyon University. “I love every part of PI,” Kelly says. “I prayed for God to let me work in an organization that allowed me to know Him more, and He answered that prayer. I love that we have chapel each week and that PI focuses on reaching the lost. I’m excited to learn more and work alongside such amazing individuals.” In her church, Kelly serves in youth ministry and as Team Life Coordinator. She loves, “being a wife and mother, singing, camping, traveling, animals — especially her Pitbulls, jogging, hiking, baking and studying. All around, I enjoy many things!”

Lynda Johnson | Writer/Editor

Before joining Partners in 1989, Lynda lived four years in India studying Hindi and working with a Christian book publishing company. Prior to that, she served as Managing Editor for World Venture. Her time with partners was broken up with stints of teaching at a community college and an editing job with her church. “I love what Partners stands for,” she says, “helping the U.S. Body come alongside and help our Ministry Partners do better what God has called them to do in reaching their people for Christ.” Lynda enjoys country living with her menagerie of hens, ducks, dog and felines, and gardening. One day she hopes to finish writing her book!

Marilyn | Partnership and Database Support Specialist

Marilyn joined Partners International in 1979 and currently helps manage our partner database and assists the finance department. “I love that men, women, and children in the least reached, least resourced regions of the world are learning how valuable they are to God, are coming to faith in Christ, and that I get to play a small role in this amazing Kingdom work.” When she’s not serving our partners, Marilyn enjoys reading, listening to music, and walking in the country with friends.

Marisa Chandler | Communications Coordinator

Marisa graduated from Grand Canyon University in April 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations with an Emphasis in Digital Advertising. A friend from her church who works at Partners told Marisa about an opening in the Communications/Marketing Department. She applied and was hired as the Communications Coordinator. Marisa says her role is to “make sure the donors are aware of what their money is going to.” Her main responsibility is formatting and sending donors updates from the ministries they support. About Partners, Marisa says, “I love the work environment and the people with whom I work. Everyone on the team has a sense of compassion that can only come from the Holy Spirit and it is refreshing to be around. I look forward to getting to know the team and the donors and build up relationships with people who share God’s love and the desire to make His Kingdom come.” In her free time, Marisa enjoys photography and long scrolls through Pinterest.

Parfait Diompy | Area Communications Coordinator - West Africa

Parfait was born to Roman Catholic parents who also practiced animism. The parents taught their eight children the fear of God and to respect the 10 Commandments, though they never read the Bible. In college, Parfait attended an evangelism service and agreed to meet with the organizers shortly after that. During their visit, they led him to Christ. After completing a course in Civil Engineering, Parfait took a six-month discipleship training with Youth With A Mission in Dakar, his hometown. And from 1992 to 2003, he worked for the mayor of Dakar, supervising the city’s construction works. Parfait learned about Partners International (PI) through our West Africa Area Director, Rene Mbongo, and started working with Rene in 2007. His main role as Area Communication Coordinator is to secure life-changing stories and photos from the Ministry Partners for reports back to supporters through PI. Parfait and his wife Nicole have four sons.

Patty Gouert | Sponsorship Coordinator

Patty has been with Partners since 2010. She was educated in the “School of Hard Knocks” with over 30 years experience in the Banking and Mortgage Lending industry. Patty enjoys getting to come to work every day and serving God, and working with extraordinary people in the office and field. In her free time she loves going to the movies, reading, crafts, kayaking, camping, biking, and getting together with friends and family.

Randy Hall | Regional Director - Ministry Advancement

Randy grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, spending summers at Gull Lake Bible and Missionary Conference where he gained a passion for Missions. He attended Moody Bible Institute, earning a BA in Communication. Randy worked in the advertising, marketing, and communications industry. Then in 2004, he changed careers, joining the development team at Moody where he was responsible for their annual giving program and served as Executive Editor for Today in the Word. Randy’s passion for the Gospel and the unreached led him to Partners International where he is excited to engage with individuals and churches that are making a difference through the Partners International network. Randy enjoys going to the gym, biking, watching high school track meets, and restoring a vintage motorcycle. He and Joy have been married 25 years and have three children and a foster daughter.

Robert Mullen | Church Engagement Director, Mid-Atlantic/Southeast

Robert’s professional career began as an attorney concentrating on commercial litigation and representing Christian ministries. After nine years of practicing law, Robert served for ten years as a Missions and Discipleship Pastor and six years as Senior Pastor. It was in this role Robert learned about PI. Over the years, he directed the church to invest strategically in PI ministries through prayer, encouragement and financial giving. Just prior to coming to Partners, Robert served in higher education. Robert is passionate about his role as Church Engagement Director. His goal is to serve local churches by helping them understand the incredible opportunity and personal responsibility they have to be strategically involved in reaching the least reached on this earth. Robert and his wife, Anne, have two grown children.

Sam Rima | Church Engagement Director, Pacific Northwest

Sam Rima joined Partners International in July 2018 after serving many years as a church planter, pastor, and executive minister. He directed the Doctor of Ministry Program at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where he also taught. Before that, Sam worked with the Columbia Baptist Conference, overseeing churches in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to Partners, he directed the Social Innovation Research Center at Heliopolis University in Cairo, Egypt. Sam says, “Serving with Partners International is the realization of my life-long passion to more directly minister to the least reached and least resourced people of the world.” Sam was born and raised in Spokane, WA, and enjoys spending time with his family, reading, camping, hunting, and fly-fishing. He and his wife Sue have four adult children and six grandchildren. Sam has a BA in Political Science from Eastern Washington University, an M.Div., and D.Min. from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a Ph.D. in Socio-Economic Transformation from the University of Buckingham, U.K.

Shelley | Accountant

June 2017, Shelley started working at Partners processing donations. She served as Ministry Advancement Team Coordinator the following year. Then in March 2019, she transferred back to finance. Shelley says, “My heart is invested in Partners’ mission, so serving in yet another capacity is an honor.” Before having children, Shelley worked in the Accounting and Human Resources field. Then, she was promoted to stay-at-home mom and homeschooled her four girls for most of the last 20 years. Shelley was single for a number of years before she married her husband, Rich, in January 2019. In her free time, Shelley loves being a grandma to her two granddaughters, traveling with her husband, and connecting with the people God puts in her path. Shelley says, “God has restored and redeemed my life, not just for my good, but for His glory. I am grateful.”

Shelley Kardos | Ministry Advancement Representative

Over the years Shelley has enjoyed serving the Lord as a women’s prayer group leader, a mission trip leader, and in almost every possible position in children’s ministry, including the role of Children’s Ministry Director. She and her husband, Michael, also served as missionaries in Rome and currently lead the Missionary Care team at their church. While on the mission field she began to appreciate how much easier it is to share her faith in her own language! It also became clear to her that prayer wasn’t merely preparation for ministry, prayer is the ministry. Shelley is excited to have the opportunity to serve the Lord in a ministry whose priority is reaching the least reached people of the world and equipping indigenous ministries to reach their own culture with the Good News of Jesus Christ. In her free time, Shelley loves hanging out with her nine grandchildren. She also enjoys painting, teaching art lessons, writing, gardening, and traveling.

Suzanne Wilson | Regional Director - Ministry Advancement

Suzanne joined the Advancement team in June 2019 to help with the workload after Advancement team member Susan Donovan retired. Prior to joining PI, Suzanne had a rich history of working with Global Missions through coordinating events, promoting ministry, and encouraging volunteers. She serves as Director of Global Outreach at her church, Grace Fellowship of Lakewood, Colorado. “I am passionate about reaching the world for Christ through indigenous workers, especially in the 10/40 Window,” Suzanne says. “I am so thankful that I have been connected with Partners International and hope others will be as excited about this ministry model as I am! I am excited to share PI with churches and individuals, helping them to catch the vision of reaching the unreached for Christ.” Suzanne has a BS and an MS in Business Administration. She and her husband have four children.

Teresa Holman | Gift Processor

Teresa and her husband of nearly 50 years recently moved to Spokane to be closer to their youngest son and his wife and two granddaughters. They have one other married son. Teresa says, “We love having daughters-in-law and granddaughters since we raised boys.” Prior to joining Partners, Teresa held various accounting and bookkeeping positions that helped prepare her for her job as Gift Processor. In Atlanta, she entered the weekly donations at their church, The Bridge Church. “I’m so glad to work here and learn more about what God is doing through our ministries around the world,” Teresa said.

William | Area Communications Coordinator - South Asia

William was born into a Christian family and taught in the ways of the Lord. During college, however, he drifted from the Lord. After college, he and a friend started a computer training institute which did well; however, in time, partnership issues erupted, leaving William with a huge debt. Over time William’s life became an emotional mess. He tried to end his life 15 times, but God stopped him every time. Just before his last attempt, he opened the family Bible, pointed his finger randomly, and read, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). He did this twice more, and each verse showed how special he was to the Lord. William surrendered his life to Him. William has degrees in Psychology, Computer Applications, Sociology, and Theology, and is a skilled photographer. In 2004 he became Area Communication Coordinator, collecting impact and life transformational stories for reports back to supporters. William and his wife have one son.

Zak Sommers | Writer/Graphic Designer

Zak joined the Partners International Marketing and Communications team in May 2018. He is from Orrville, Ohio, a small rural city known for the J.M. Smucker Company and the surrounding Amish communities. He studied online through Liberty University, earning a Certificate of Theology while serving as a middle-school pastor at his local church. In 2016, Zak moved to Spokane to attend Moody Bible Institute and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies. While at Moody, Zak led a small team to produce the student newspaper, The Moody Mosaic. Zak loves to communicate stories that have the potential to impact entire communities for Jesus. In his free time, Zak likes to go to the theater, snowboard, golf and host gatherings for his friends. He is actively involved in his local church serving as a high school small group leader.

AREA DIRECTORS

Allan Matamoros | Area Director - Middle East and North Africa

Allan Matamoros (Costa-Rican) lives in the Middle East with his wife Patricia and two young adult children. For the past 25 years, Allan served and led Latin American mission agencies deploying church planting and holistic missional teams in the Muslim World. He served as Executive Director of FEDEMEC (Federacion Misionera Evangelica Costarricense), as a member of the COMIBAM executive team, as Chairman of Vision 5:9 (a coalition of 180 agencies working among Muslims) and 12 years as the International Director of Maghreb Project, a ministry in the Middle East. Allan served as one of the URBANA 2015 speakers. He now serves as the Middle East & North Africa Area Director for Partners International.

Allen Wesley | Area Director - Horn of Africa

Having grown up in Zambia and Kenya and later serving in Zaire (now known as the Congo), Allen has always had a burden for the people of this vast region of Africa. After serving for many years with Africa Inland Mission, Allen joined Partners International as Manager of Program Strategies. Building on his long-time experience in the region, Allen later took on the role of Area Director for the Horn of Africa. Serving in a region plagued by poverty, strife, and oppression, Allen’s passion is to see the people of this turbulent part of the world experience peace, wholeness, and new life in Jesus Christ.

Carla Davis | Area Director - Central Asia

After completing her MBA and years of working in product development in the food industry, Carla’s heart was burdened for the region of Central Asia after joining a team of farmers on a trip to Kazakhstan. After 11 years of service with Medical Ambassadors, a ministry organization focused on Community Health Evangelism, she joined Partners International as Central Asia Area Director in 2008. Bravely traveling to volatile places like Pakistan to meet with local believers, Carla has been working in the region for more than 15 years. Her passion is equipping believers in community development skills and spiritual leadership.

Matt Kirkas | Area Director - Southeast Asia

Matt lived and ministered in the Muslim nation of Indonesia for nearly 20 years, first as a tentmaker and later as a consultant to indigenous ministry organizations. Matt joined Partners International in 2005 as our Area Director for Southeast Asia. As Area Director, he identifies new opportunities for Partners to serve the indigenous Church and provides pastoral care, organizational development, and strategic planning consulting to our partners. Combining a Master’s in Modern Islamic Thinkers and a deep passion for the salvation of Muslims, Matt also leads our’ Strategic Growth Initiative on Global Muslim Outreach.

Michelle Lee | Area Director - East Asia

Michelle was born into a working-class family in northern China. She studied in the atheistic education system and believed that as long as she worked hard, she could achieve whatever she set her mind to. In college, Michelle met Christians who shared their beliefs with her. After some hard experiences, Michelle saw that she could not control her life through sheer willpower. In time, she gave her life to Jesus. Following college, Michelle worked as a translator in Partners International’s East Asia office. She slowly transitioned from translator to Area Communications Coordinator and in 2017, to Area Director. China has tightened its policies on religious freedom, causing an uncertain future for believers. Michelle works with our Ministry Partners, encouraging them and helping them develop strategic plans. She says, “Just as God transformed my heart, I am working alongside like-minded brothers and sisters to see Him transform hearts of the unreached.”

Prem James | Area Director - South Asia

Born and raised in a Christian family in India, Prem James completed his post-graduate work in both business and theology. In the 1970s, he joined Far East Broadcasting Association, an evangelistic radio ministry, and served with them for 26 years. Prior to joining Partners International in 2004, Prem spent years developing partnership networks throughout India. This mentoring and facilitating role is one he continues today, advancing Indian missions through partnership and strategic collaboration. Prem’s deep passion is to mobilize the global Body of Christ to work together in committed, Christ-like partnerships.

Rene Mbongo | Area Director - West Africa

A native of the Central African Republic, René came to know Christ as a high school student through the witness of his aunt. Since that time, René has served as a pastor, director of a Bible society, and co-founder of Senegal’s first and largest indigenous church-planting ministry. René is a key facilitator of partnership networks in the West Africa region and is a senior trainer of African church planters, particularly those serving within oral cultures. René joined Partners International as our West Africa Area Director in 2001. His passion is equipping grassroots church planters with the goal of seeing church-planting movements take place.