Congo Initiative

Congo Initiative

Together We Are

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    Our Leadership

Everything we do is done in collaboration with our Congolese leadership. This means that we never “import” answers to Congo’s challenges from the outside. Instead, the solutions to Congo’s challenges come from within–from local communities and leaders who know the longings of their people and who lead us in finding the resources to fulfill those longings. Although we are Congolese-led, we collaborate with friends and colleagues from the international community in the spirit of “tuko pamoja” — “we are together.”

Congo Initiative DRC

We are a non-governmental agency registered in Congo, governed by a General Assembly (board) and directed by the Executive Team.

CI-DRC Staff

Photo of David Kasali, PhD

David Kasali, PhD

Co-Founder & President of Congo Initiative and Rector Emeritus, UCBC
Photo of David Kasali, PhD

David Kasali, PhD

Co-Founder & President of Congo Initiative and Rector Emeritus, UCBC

Both David and his wife, Kaswera, were born and raised in Christian families in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Together, they have three boys, Baraka, Chris and Steve. David’s father received the Lord when the first missionary from the USA arrived in the East of Congo in the early 1900s. He learned to read and write, accepted the Lord, and served as pastor for over 60 years until he was promoted to glory in 1996.

David earned a Master’s degree in geography and education in Congo in 1980, then served as assistant manager in a private company for two years before the Lord called him to full time Christian ministry. In 1982, David left his job and served for two years as a teacher and chaplain in a high school. David and his family joined Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) in 1984, where he graduated in 1987 with a Master in Divinity. After NEGST, David served as Coordinator of the department on Ethics, Society and Development of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA). During that time, he traveled extensively in the continent of Africa holding seminars with African pastors and theological educators to deal with issues that churches and societies face in Africa. In September 1989, David and his family joined Trinity International University (TIU) in Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated with a PhD in New Testament.

Kassie trained as a nurse in Congo. While in Nairobi, Kenya, she got her diploma in Christian Ministries and Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology and received her Master of Religious Studies at Trinity in 1993.

Upon their return to Africa, David served for two years as a faculty member and eight years as President of Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST), equipping pastors and Bible teachers for churches in Africa. During that time, Kassie served as a faculty member teaching in the Christian Ministries program. She enrolled in the PhD in Educational Studies at Trinity International University in 1998 and graduated in 2006.

While serving at NEGST, the Kasalis were torn by the war situation in their country, DRC, and felt called by the Lord to help rebuild lives, families and communities through holistic ministries with churches from various denominations. Together, they created Congo Initiative, which has both a Congolese and US board. Soon after leavingNEGST, the Kasalis moved to the States for three years of preparation and relationship-building in an effort to lay a solid foundation for the establishment of Congo Initiative as a non-profit organization.

The Kasalis used these years in the States to build partnerships with churches, institutions, and individuals who would come together to support the growing vision and goals of Congo Initiative. While in the States, the Kasalis were based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where David served as part-time pastor at Elmbrook Church, one of Congo Initiative’s most significant church partners.  David and Kassie also took short-term mission trips with US Christians to various ministries in Congo. Additionally, David served as an adjunct faculty member at Phoenix Seminary, in Phoenix, Arizona.

After three years of service and preparation in the States, the Kasalis relocated permanently to DRC in 2007 to formally inaugurate Congo Initiative’s Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC – The Bilingual Christian University of Congo), which now has over 650 alumni!  In 2019, Dr. David Kasali transitioned from his role as Rector to give his full attention and energy as President of CI.  The Kasalis now make their home in Beni, North Kivu Province, DRC.

Photo of Kaswera Kasali, PhD

Kaswera Kasali, PhD

Co-Founder of Congo Initiative and Director, Center for Holistic Family Development
Photo of Kaswera Kasali, PhD

Kaswera Kasali, PhD

Co-Founder of Congo Initiative and Director, Center for Holistic Family Development

Kaswera (or Kassie, as she’s known) trained as a nurse in Congo. While in Nairobi, Kenya, she got her diploma in Christian Ministries and Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology and received her Master of Religious Studies at Trinity in 1993. Upon her and David’s return to East Africa, Kassie served as a faculty member teaching in the Christian Ministries program at NEGST. She enrolled in the PhD in Educational Studies program at Trinity International University in 1998 and graduated in 2006.

Kassie leads the Holistic Family Development programs in Beni which includes La Charité Primary School and Vocational Training and Counseling for Women.

Photo of Daniel Masumbuko

Daniel Masumbuko

Director of Church Renewal and Global Mission
Photo of Daniel Masumbuko

Daniel Masumbuko

Director of Church Renewal and Global Mission

Daniel Masumbuko heard about CI-UCBC from its founder Dr. Kasali after they fled from Ituri because of ethnic war in 2001, and immediately saw the value of the vision and the impact it would have in transforming the nation. Since then and guided by faith, he has worked with CI-UCBC. He also serves as elder in the Brethren Church in Beni and served as Finance Director for many years at the Evangelical Medical Clinic of Nyankunde.

At CI-UCBC, Daniel serves as the Finance Director and Chaplain, and the Director of the Center for Church Renewal and Global Mission. In this last program, he and his colleagues  run reconciliation and trauma healing seminars in post conflict zones such as Ituri and Uganda. They are covering the Oriental Province and the Kivus in the DRC and also serve in Uganda and Rwanda with their sister organizations. Many lives and relationships have been restored as result of their work. At UCBC, he serves as a member of the Management Committee and contributes to the daily management of the institution. He holds an MA in Finance and International Trade from Herriot Watt University in the United Kingdom, and currently studies in the DMin program at Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya.

Daniel is married to Claudine Masika Ndjadi since October 2, 1983. They have six children, two boys and four girls. Their oldest two daughters are married and have children of their own.

*In 2012, Daniel was honored as one of the Tanenbaum Peacemakers in Action finalists for 2012. The Tanenbaum Peacemakers in Action award recognizes the work of faith-based, local leaders who give of themselves to pursue peace and facilitate reconciliation in their communities.

 

Photo of Honoré Bunduki, PhD

Honoré Bunduki, PhD

Rector of UCBC
Photo of Honoré Bunduki, PhD

Honoré Bunduki, PhD

Rector of UCBC

Since the very beginning of UCBC, Dr. Bunduki has served passionately as Academic Dean and more recently, Vice-Rector of UCBC. He earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Affirmed by colleagues, board leadership, and the wider community, Dr. Bunduki was appointed as the second rector of UCBC in December 2018. He demonstrates the expertise, skills, and leadership required to lead UCBC into this new season. While Dr. Kasali cast the vision for this unique university in eastern Congo, Dr. Bunduki played a crucial role in implementing its programs and structure. We are confident that UCBC will grow, prosper, and deepen its roots under Dr. Bunduki’s leadership, maintaining the vision embodied in the university’s motto: “Being transformed to transform.”


Photo of Paul Robinson, PhD

Paul Robinson, PhD

Co-Founder and General Assembly Chair
Photo of Paul Robinson, PhD

Paul Robinson, PhD

Co-Founder and General Assembly Chair

Paul Robinson was born in the Belgian Congo as a son of missionaries, whose life has been profoundly shaped by a life-long personal and professional engagement with Africa. As a boy, he became a refugee, fleeing from advancing Congolese rebel militias. Years later, while completing high school in Kenya, he buried his father in Congo’s soil. With an insatiable need to understand the continent that bequeathed to his deepest pain and greatest joy, he earned both a MA and PhD from Northwestern University as a Fulbright Scholar in African History. He and his wife Margie then returned to Africa with St. Lawrence University, where they raised three children, and where for three decades he developed and led what became a premier international academic program for St. Lawrence University. During that time, he also developed and led varied university initiatives in Africa and designed, consulted, and evaluated development programs that addressed critical issues relating to poverty and human need – including a major response to the HIV-AIDS crisis. In 1999, he joined the faculty of Wheaton College as Professor and Director of the college’s Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) Program, where he served until 2013. He has and/or continues to serve on the boards of missions, advocacy organizations, and international organizations, participates in international development initiatives, and lectures and consults globally. His passion, heart, and professional life have centered on a broad range of development concerns, but particularly on the formation of young people for ethical and moral leadership in a rapidly changing global context. Deeply resonating with the authentic Congolese vision of Congo Initiative (CI) for responding to Congo’s desperate need, he accepted Dr. David Kasali’s invitation to become a founding member of CI, and has joyfully and enthusiastically served CI since its inception in 2003 in multiple capacities as consultant, scholar, teacher, board member, board chair, CEO/President, and most recently, Senior Advisor. In 2013, he took an early retirement from Wheaton College as Professor Emeritus, in order to give his full energies to the transformative vision of CI.

Photo of Noé Kasali

Noé Kasali

Director and Lead Therapist, Bethesda Counseling Center
Photo of Noé Kasali

Noé Kasali

Director and Lead Therapist, Bethesda Counseling Center

Noé is the Director of Bethesda Counseling Center and lecturer at UCBC. He received his Master’s degree in Counseling from Wheaton College USA in 2014.  In 2016, he founded and launched Bethesda in order serve the local population with professional Christian counseling.

Bethesda provides counseling interventions that are critical for personal and community transformation in a context that experiences domestic and political violence, and common mental and behavioral health challenges. Noé conducts various seminars and training for health care workers, pastors, and community leaders in the area of forgiveness, grief, trauma, domestic violence, and reconciliation.

Noé lectures in the theology department at Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) and teaches courses such as: Ethics in Counseling, Grief and Trauma Counseling, and Introduction to Christian and Pastoral Counseling.

Noé and his wife Bethany have three girls (Joy, Anna and Lydia) live between Nairobi and the city of Beni, located in the Province of North Kivu.

Photo of Théophile Muyisa Katuka

Théophile Muyisa Katuka

Chief Financial Officer
Photo of Théophile Muyisa Katuka

Théophile Muyisa Katuka

Chief Financial Officer

Théophile joined Congo Initiative (CI) in 2013. Théophile first served at UCBC as the Economics Faculty Secretary. Later on, in 2014, he served as the Economics Faculty Coordinator. Théophile participated in Congo Initiative’s Advanced Studies Program, receiving a Master’s degree in Finance from Daystar University in Nairobi, Keya. He returned to Beni in August 2019 to serve as the Chief Financial Officer for CI. He assists the VP of Financial Management to ensure that CI has robust and excellent financial management systems and compliance with relevant laws and regulations of the DRC government.  Théophile also teaches a few courses in the Economic’s Faculty at UCBC.


General Assembly

Photo of Peter Amani

Peter Amani

Oicha, DRC
Photo of Peter Amani

Peter Amani

Oicha, DRC

Peter Kambale Amani has served as a pastor in a revival church in Oicha, a neighboring town to Beni, since 1985. His calling from childhood has been to minister to the voiceless and to be a voice for them. This led him to leave the mainstream church in his area and start a church that ministers to people who are rejected and/or stigmatized in their communities. Their church mission is founded on the principle of “Christ alone, Faith alone and Grace alone”.

The vision of CI-UCBC to transform young people to become agents of transformation in their respective communities has caught his heart and he joined CI-UCBC right from its inception in 2004. He was one of the members of CI-UCBC’s first board in 2007. Since then, he has served as president of the construction committee.

He was trained in the Kisangani Teacher Training College and earned his Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in African Culture. He also takes seminars in theology and has read extensively in church leadership and administration. He considers it a real privilege to be a part of such a compelling vision which trains prospective leaders who are transformed and ready to bring transformation in their communities and churches.

Photo of Paul Robinson, PhD

Paul Robinson, PhD

Co-Founder and General Assembly Chair
Photo of Paul Robinson, PhD

Paul Robinson, PhD

Co-Founder and General Assembly Chair

Paul Robinson was born in the Belgian Congo as a son of missionaries, whose life has been profoundly shaped by a life-long personal and professional engagement with Africa. As a boy, he became a refugee, fleeing from advancing Congolese rebel militias. Years later, while completing high school in Kenya, he buried his father in Congo’s soil. With an insatiable need to understand the continent that bequeathed to his deepest pain and greatest joy, he earned both a MA and PhD from Northwestern University as a Fulbright Scholar in African History. He and his wife Margie then returned to Africa with St. Lawrence University, where they raised three children, and where for three decades he developed and led what became a premier international academic program for St. Lawrence University. During that time, he also developed and led varied university initiatives in Africa and designed, consulted, and evaluated development programs that addressed critical issues relating to poverty and human need – including a major response to the HIV-AIDS crisis. In 1999, he joined the faculty of Wheaton College as Professor and Director of the college’s Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) Program, where he served until 2013. He has and/or continues to serve on the boards of missions, advocacy organizations, and international organizations, participates in international development initiatives, and lectures and consults globally. His passion, heart, and professional life have centered on a broad range of development concerns, but particularly on the formation of young people for ethical and moral leadership in a rapidly changing global context. Deeply resonating with the authentic Congolese vision of Congo Initiative (CI) for responding to Congo’s desperate need, he accepted Dr. David Kasali’s invitation to become a founding member of CI, and has joyfully and enthusiastically served CI since its inception in 2003 in multiple capacities as consultant, scholar, teacher, board member, board chair, CEO/President, and most recently, Senior Advisor. In 2013, he took an early retirement from Wheaton College as Professor Emeritus, in order to give his full energies to the transformative vision of CI.

Photo of Cathy Furaha

Cathy Furaha

Butembo, DRC
Photo of Cathy Furaha

Cathy Furaha

Butembo, DRC

Cathy Kathungu Furaha is a lawyer at the provincial court of North Kivu and her interest is to defend human rights, particularly women’s rights. The North Kivu province has suffered an array of atrocities, especially abuse against women, and speaking for the voiceless has always been her deepest desire. She has successively served as governing board member in women’s promotion associations and organizations including The Association of Women Lawyers and HEKIMA, a micro finance organization that supports women for their survival. She joined CI-UCBC’s General Assembly because their interest to promote women through education. In fact, when she learned that 44% of students at UCBC are female, she considered it a wise investment in women’s promotion and thought it a privilege to serve. A new member since 2013, scholarships for women and other activities that promote women’s voices motivate her to support the CI-UCBC vision.

She has aBachelor’s Degree in Law from the Free University of the Great Lake’s Region (ULPGL) in Goma and has worked in the profession for twenty years. Through CI-UCBC, she became a member of the Christian Lawyer’s Association of Congo. Since 1997, Cathy has been married to Dr. John Kanyamanda and is the mother of four children: two boys (Jason and Paul) and two girls (Dinah and Joy).

Photo of Rose Kirere

Rose Kirere

Bunia, DRC
Photo of Rose Kirere

Rose Kirere

Bunia, DRC

Rose Kirere has a particular passion for health studies and community development work. After completing her training at the Nyankunde Nursing School, she went to the Nyankunde Nursing College, where she got my BA in Community Health and then went to France where she got a ‘Licence’ Degree in Local Development and a Master’s Degree in Cooperation Project. Her background has widely prepared her to appreciate how development and community transformation works. It was a joy for her when she first came in touch with UCBC leadership back in 2008, and they offered the opportunity to teach a class in Biblical Principles of Development.

Today, she is among the General Assembly members of the organization. She believes in the tremendous work of training prospective leaders who are ethically and intellectually prepared to change their challenges into opportunities. Rose is married to Professor Kirere and they are blessed with seven children, two boys and five girls. Of those children, four are adopted.


Photo of Kisumba Kamungele

Kisumba Kamungele

Kinshasa, DRC
Photo of Kisumba Kamungele

Kisumba Kamungele

Kinshasa, DRC

Kisumba Kamungele is the Export Director at Ets. TSONGO KASEREKA, a Butembo-based family business that has been in operation for the last four decades. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University (Indiana, 1996) and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Université Laval (Québec, 2001). After his studies abroad, he returned home to work in the family business and for the past ten years has traded green coffee and cocoa beans, linking the Congolese small-scale farmers to the international market. In addition, he is involved in a variety of national and regional coffee initiatives aiming to revamp the Congolese coffee sector and African coffee industry. He is the president of the DRC Cocoa & Coffee Exporters’ Association (ASSECCAF), the DRC Country Chapter Vice-Chairman of the African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA), and the Executive Director of Café Africa DRC, a non-profit organization.  He also earned a Masters degree  in Coffee Economics & Science from the University of Trieste (Italy, 2016).

Kisumba shares hopes in contributing to the reconstruction of DRC by contributing his skills and international experience to CI-UCBC. Today he is a member of the CI-UCBC General Assembly and a visiting lecturer in the Engineering Department of the Applied Sciences Faculty. He is married to Julie Kavira since March 2002 and has a daughter named Suzanne Kanyere.

Photo of Obed Mukanirwa

Obed Mukanirwa

Bunia, DRC
Photo of Obed Mukanirwa

Obed Mukanirwa

Bunia, DRC

Obed Mukanirwa is a member of the CI-UCBC General Assembly since its beginning and continues to serve with the institution. He was a member of the construction committee, but now serves in Bunia, DRC as Samaritan’s Purse Mission’s Department Leader. There, he leads church planting in Congo and Uganda. He believes UCBC is an answer to many problems that the country and particularly the Kivus and Ituri District face. The vision of training transformed leaders to be the change thrills his heart.

He was trained as a pastor in a bible school in Aungba where he completed his studies in 1981. After that,he served as a high school chaplain in Oicha and was then appointed as teacher in a bible school by my denomination. He also studied at the mission’s school in Eldoret, Kenya and graduated in 1994. He is married to Helena Kathungu and they are blessed with seven children, but have experienced loss through the death of one.

Photo of Sadraka Soheranda, MD

Sadraka Soheranda, MD

Oicha, DRC
Photo of Sadraka Soheranda, MD

Sadraka Soheranda, MD

Oicha, DRC

Dr. Sadraka Kambale Soheranda lives in Oicha, thirty kilometers north of the City of Beni. He is a physician, working at Oïcha Hospital since 1983 and acting as the District medical Officer (Médecin Chef de Zone) for the Oïcha Health District (Zone de Santé). Since the beginning of CI-UCBC, he has been one of the members of the General Assembly. I also helps supervise UCBC finances.

After graduating as Medical Doctor from UNIKIN/Kinshasa in 1997, he joined the medical staff of the Centre Médical Evangélique – Nyankunde. He studied community health in developing countries and earned an MSc at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene/University of London (1979-1980). Afterwards, he earned a series of Diplomas: Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (University of London); Christian Leadership from Haggai Institute (Singapore, 1992); Management of Health Structures (Department of Commerce – Washington, D.C., 2004); Management of Health projects (University of Pretoria –S.A.-, 2006), and a number of certificates.

God has allowed him to serve in the CECA 20 Health Service at Oïcha Hospital. He is very grateful for his wife Nara and their five adult children (Nicole, Rosette, Priscille, Philippe and Mathilde) who have been very supportive, even during some very harsh living conditions. He appreciates the words of the Apostle Paul, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 3:13)

Photo of Oddy Tukeba

Oddy Tukeba

Beni, DRC
Photo of Oddy Tukeba

Oddy Tukeba

Beni, DRC

Oddy Tukeba Tshoto serves at the General Law Court of Beni as secretary to the Prosecutor since 1998, and was president of the first CI-UCBC board in 2007. Transforming lives to bring change in Congo is the calling of CI-UCBC that has won her heart for the cause and vision. Moreover, UCBC is a Christian school and it promotes Christian values as an alternative for social and radical transformation.

Oddy, a secretary who serves at the law court, has seen how women are looked down on and abused. CI-UCBC’s initiative brings women back to their initial position, that of life bearers and agents of peace in communities. She is more than convinced that advocating for women’s rights through training women to speak for themselves through deeds and words, as CI-UCBC does is the best thing for community transformation.”

She is a member of the Great Lake’s Women’s Right Program and Supervisor of SOPROP Goma in Beni, a local NGO that fights abuse and violence against women. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in French, with a Minor in Linguistics from the Bunia Teacher Training College.


Congo Initiative USA

The mission of CI-USA is to promote Christian higher education, leadership development, and community transformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through personnel and financial support to CI-DRC. CI-USA is registered as a 501(c)3, tax-exempt organization.

CI-USA Staff

Photo of Justin Hubbard

Justin Hubbard

Executive Director
Photo of Justin Hubbard

Justin Hubbard

Executive Director

Justin Hubbard first became involved with Congo Initiative in 2007, when he was invited to help implement CI’s flagship institution, UCBC. One year commitment turned into two, and then three. Each year he grew more passionate about Congo Initiative as he witnessed its impact in its first three years. In 2010, he returned to the U.S. to pursue a Master’s in Divinity at Duke University and engaged in theological reflection on topics such as ethics, race, identity formation, social and international policy.

He remained committed to the important role that education and non-profit organizations play in empowering individuals and supporting community development. After working with World View at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (a public service program that offers professional development in global education for K-12 and community college educators) Justin was invited to join Congo Initiative USA in 2016 to help improve its communications and development.

Beginning July 1, 2020, Justin began serving as the Acting Executive Director, providing day-to-day management as the organization searches for a full-time, permanent Executive Director. Justin will balance multiple responsibilities as he works to ensure the stability of Congo Initiative during this interim period and assist the team as we look forward to the future of Congo Initiative.

Justin has over 12 years of experience working with public service and non-profit organizations, seven of which are with Congo Initiative. He holds a Bachelor’s of Individualized Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Divinity and a certificate in International Development Policy from Duke University. He currently lives in Baltimore with his wife Thaniyyah, and their son, Gibran.

Photo of Shelly Johnston

Shelly Johnston

Development Director
Photo of Shelly Johnston

Shelly Johnston

Development Director

Shelly Johnston joined Congo Initiative (CI) in 2020. A native of North Carolina, she has worked in nonprofit management for 13 years serving in a variety of roles including director of development and executive director. She comes to CI with a heart’s desire to serve in partnership with Jesus Christ helping her fellow brothers and sisters in Congo find hope and a better future.

Shelly discovered CI through research of North Carolina’s faith-based, humanitarian organizations, identifying in CI a perfect fit for her interest, professional skills, and spiritual calling in the position of director of development. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Pfeiffer University and a master’s degree from North Carolina State University.

Shelly is the proud mother of a daughter who resides in Colorado. She lives in western North Carolina on a small farm with her husband of 32 years and many animals including Amelia the Newfoundland and Bebe the cat. Along with getting to know God better through bible study, she spends her time learning to fly airplanes and volunteering with Flourish Kenya and JAARS.

Email Shelly at shelly.johnston@congoinitiative.org

Photo of Laura Fleming

Laura Fleming

Grants Coordinator
Photo of Laura Fleming

Laura Fleming

Grants Coordinator

Laura has worked in the nonprofit realm since graduating from Gordon College in 2007. She is particularly passionate about student development as well as grant research and writing. Her previous roles included serving as an Assistant Resident Director at Gordon College and a Volunteer and Service-Learning Coordinator at a community hospital. Laura first learned about Congo Initiative from board member, John David Bower and became more and more captivated with CI and its mission to educate and empower the next generation of Christ-centered transformational leaders for the flourishing of the DRC. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Grants Assistant for CI and to learn from her sisters and brothers across the globe.

Laura lives north of Boston with her husband and their two little boys. She also enjoys serving on the leadership team of her local MOPS International group. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Youth Ministries and is currently working towards a Masters in Nonprofit Management at Northeastern University.

Photo of Bill Shewan

Bill Shewan

Senior Ambassador
Photo of Bill Shewan

Bill Shewan

Senior Ambassador

Bill Shewan serves Congo Initiative as our Senior Ambassador. In this position, Bill plays two vital roles for the organization. First, he is an advisor to the CI board and executive leadership. Second, Bill cultivates relationships with donors and seeks to develop networks of support for the organization.In his ministry with CI, Bill is able to draw upon his extensive experience as a nonprofit executive. Bill worked for Youth for Christ for 44 years. Early in his career he served as Associate National Training Director for YFC/USA for three years, then nine years as YFC Executive Director in Marion, IN, and two years as Associate Director for Ft. Wayne, IN YFC. Bill then served for 18 years as a coach and mentor to various YFC Boards and Executive Directors in his capacity as National Field Director for the Great Lakes Region of YFC/USA (40 local offices in 5 states). For 10 of those years he organized and hosted national training for incoming Executive Directors from around the country. In 2011, Bill launched YFC’s Legacy and Gift Planning Ministry in local YFC chapters across the nation. Most recently, Bill served as national ambassador for YFC/USA, building relationships with ministry partners, mostly in the Midwest.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Valparaiso University) and a Master of Arts in Religious Education (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School). He is an ordained minister and lives in Indianapolis, IN. Bill and his wife, Michelle, have two adult children, including Jessica, who is serving as Administrator and International Staff Coordinator for CI’s Center for Development and Partnership in Beni, DRC.


Photo of Emily Rhodes

Emily Rhodes

Administrative Coordinator
Photo of Emily Rhodes

Emily Rhodes

Administrative Coordinator

Emily Rhodes joined the CI-USA team as Administrative Coordinator in November 2021. She has worked for more than 15 years in nonprofit organizations, both in the U.S. and South Africa, covering a range of functions from office management to client service to program development.

She is excited to join the Congo Initiative team because of how the work and mission of CI resonate with her values. She appreciates how the voices of the people most impacted are centered as the organization is led by Congolese people for Congolese people. While CI is based on a foundation of education, it goes beyond that to promote transformational and systemic change through holistic leadership development. She also values its Christ-centered approach as the true source of flourishing for all people.

Emily holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Tufts University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Justice and Advocacy from Fuller Theological Seminary. Originally from the Chicago area, she has lived in New Orleans for 12 years and is a member of St. Roch Community Church.


CI-USA Board of Directors

Photo of Julie Bryce

Julie Bryce

Board Chair
Durham, NC
Photo of Julie Bryce

Julie Bryce

Board Chair
Durham, NC
Photo of Timoteo Acosta

Timoteo Acosta

Vice Chair
Glastonbury, CT
Photo of Timoteo Acosta

Timoteo Acosta

Vice Chair
Glastonbury, CT

Timo joined the CI USA board in 2019 but his connection to Congo began in 2008 when he lived in Goma in eastern Congo for 9 months.  He wore a lot of hats but primarily worked with HEAL Africa and Global Strategies for HIV prevention to enable the local production of a Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for severely malnourished children treated at the hospital.  Timo currently lives in central Connecticut with his wife and 2 daughters.  He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Columbia University and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.  For most of the past 20 years, he has worked in the commercial property insurance industry and has experience training and coaching leaders, creating operational efficiencies, developing new capabilities and services, and being mindful of how budgets, strategies, and purpose come together to fulfill an organizations mission.  Timo is honored and excited to be part of the CI USA board.

Photo of Caroline Kolins

Caroline Kolins

Secretary
Lubbock, Texas
Photo of Caroline Kolins

Caroline Kolins

Secretary
Lubbock, Texas

Caroline’s love of Congo began during her undergraduate years when she took a course on Modern Sub-Saharan Africa taught by a retired diplomat. After that course she spent a summer as an English teacher in DRC. Her B.A. in French and Political Science from Texas Tech University and her M.A. in International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University encouraged her to pursue a career in international development. During her time at Texas A&M, she worked with the Center on Conflict and Development, an international development research lab, where she discovered her passion for international agricultural development and deepened her passion for seeing peace and development in DRC.  After finishing her graduate studies, she served as a Murdock Fellow at World Vision, where she advised marketing teams on food security content and worked with corporate donors. Caroline also worked for the Post-Harvest Loss Innovation Lab at Kansas State University, where she supported the research of technologies and approaches that reduce post-harvest loss in developing countries. Her experience includes program management, grant writing, and donor relations with public, private, and individual donors. She is particularly interested in the intersection of higher education and international development and enjoys facilitating partnerships between university systems and NGOs. Caroline enjoys using her skills and experience as a board member for CI-USA.

Photo of Chris Woodard

Chris Woodard

Treasurer
Cincinnati, OH
Photo of Chris Woodard

Chris Woodard

Treasurer
Cincinnati, OH

Photo of Chelsie Chan

Chelsie Chan

Seattle, WA
Photo of Chelsie Chan

Chelsie Chan

Seattle, WA
Photo of Mary Henton

Mary Henton

Newark, OH
Photo of Mary Henton

Mary Henton

Newark, OH

Mary Henton had the privilege of being a CI board member from 2008 – 2011, during which time she spent several months in Beni. It was during that time that she experienced the power of a compelling vision despite overwhelming odds. She joined the staff of Congo Initiative as a Strategy and Development Facilitator in 2011. From 2015 – 2018 she served as Director of Faculty Development and Bilingual Affairs at UCBC.

Mary brings 30 years of education and leadership experience to her current position as a leadership coach and learning and development consultant. She holds a BA in education from Gordon College and an MEd in learning and development from Harvard University.

Mary is blessed with three adult children, their partners, and a granddaughter.

Photo of Kasereka Kasomo, PhD

Kasereka Kasomo, PhD

Tustin, CA
Photo of Kasereka Kasomo, PhD

Kasereka Kasomo, PhD

Tustin, CA

Kasereka was born in Oicha/Beni, DRC and grew up in Congo. His secondary and university studies took him in different parts of DRC. While pursing his studies in Engineering and Chemistry, for political reasons the government closed down the university. It remained closed for many months, allowing him to join Campus Crusade for Christ, as a trainee, then trainer and vice-director of the Goma Great Commission Training Center. This center served the church in Eastern DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Western Uganda.  He later went on to study in Kenya where he earned a bachelor of theology (BTH). After serving as Itinerant Evangelist for CECA-20 Highs Schools for two years, Kasereka went to study at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, where he earned a MA in Intercultural Studies, with an emphasis on Cultural Anthropology. Kasereka completed his PhD in Cultural Studies at Claremont Graduate University. His dissertation title was “Creation and Maintenance of Culture of Violence in Eastern Congo.” Kasereka argued that the extreme violence in Eastern Congo is manufactured to allow an easy exploitation and looting of Congolese natural resources. To borrow from Toussig, the war in Eastern can be understood as a “commoditization of violence.”

Kasereka is the Senior Pastor of the “African Christian Community Church of Southern California” (ACCCSC) that he, his wife and family, and several other friends planted from 2001. ACCCSC is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and reaches out to the immigrants from French speaking countries and different communities in the heart of Los Angeles and its vicinities.

Kasereka’s heart is still in the DRC. In 2008, he helped start “Sons of Congo” (SOC) a ministry that reaches out to men in violence ravaged areas of Eastern Congo. Since he was in charge of creating a curriculum and writing lessons for SOC, Kasereka has travelled so many times to Congo for the last 8 years. While in DRC, he gets to visit CI work in Beni, and he is always marveled by what CI is accomplishing in DRC. It is a privilege for him to be part of the CI-US Board.

Photo of Christen Price

Christen Price

Washington, DC
Photo of Christen Price

Christen Price

Washington, DC

Christen Price is a human rights lawyer who engages in legal advocacy to end impunity for all forms of sexual exploitation.  In that capacity, she works to influence courts and legislatures toward protecting human dignity and equality for survivors, through legislative advocacy and litigation, particularly with respect to sex trafficking, prostitution, child sexual abuse, and pornography. Christen received her JD from Georgetown University Law Center, and a BA in philosophy from Cedarville University. Christen first encountered UCBC in 2010, when she visited Beni as part of a legal internship based in Northern Uganda.  She reconnected with Congo Initiative after hearing Paul Robinson, who taught and mentored some of her fellow parishioners, give an update at her church in 2017.  Christen is honored and excited to join Congo Initiative’s board.


Photo of Ruth Reynard, PhD

Ruth Reynard, PhD

Fayette, OH
Photo of Ruth Reynard, PhD

Ruth Reynard, PhD

Fayette, OH

My interest in Congo Initiative, UCBC, is really about my life. I was born into a missionary family. My parents were life-long missionaries in the DR Congo. M father, Bob McAllister, was a tradesman and evangelist and my mother, Alma McAllister, was a midwife and evangelist. Their “field” of service was the Ituri Forest area of the Congo and that is where I, and my two brothers, were born. My brothers were born in Oicha where David and Noé Kasali were also born. I was born at Bongondza. Dr. Sharp attended my delivery along with a missionary midwife. Dr. Sharp and his wife and three children were later murdered by the Simbas in 1964, along with other missionaries in that area and many, many, Congolese Christians. My heart is still in the Ituri area. I am, therefore, really passionate about the purpose and vision of UCBC. I truly believe in the mission of the university and believe that many new leaders are and will continue to graduate, equipped to serve the Lord and serve Congo into the future. I believe fully, as Dr. Kasali says, that, “God is doing a new thing in the Congo.” My desire is to help UCBC in that collective vision and see God’s purpose for the future of the Congo emerge.

My education and professional background is in educational theory, curriculum and faculty development, and instructional design and program delivery. I have worked with CI-Congo on several projects including a new Master’s degree program, faculty training projects, and Women’s Voices. In 2017, I visited Congo Initiative in Beni and look forward to exploring further collaboration on program development and implementation.

I am honored to be on the US Board and excited to further the work of CI by contributing my passion for Congo and professional skills.

Photo of Lisa Sinclair, DMin

Lisa Sinclair, DMin

Milwaukee, WI
Photo of Lisa Sinclair, DMin

Lisa Sinclair, DMin

Milwaukee, WI

I love Congo Initiative. I served on the US board from 2008-2011. This is an organization that stands in the face of war, poverty, injustice, and trauma and believes in the power of God and His community to bring about transformation on a personal, national, and international level!

My personal contribution to the board derives from a confluence of factors. My work as a missionary in Mali, West Africa, and continued travel throughout Africa in ministry, has given me a love for and commitment to Africa, as well as God’s work in and through that extraordinary continent. Second, my husband and I have been involved in urban ministry in the U.S., and active in areas of racial reconciliation and refugee resettlement. I am committed to the Church universal and the Church diverse. Third, I am academically prepared to minister in areas of mental and physical health, and am very excited by the high value of biblical shalom in the Congo. Fourth, as a member care provider, I am interested in the whole health of the organization’s leaders and teams. Finally, my own personal life experiences have given me a longing to support others in the area of personal and community healing and restoration.


Congo Initiative UK

Board of Directors

Photo of Bill McAllister, PhD

Bill McAllister, PhD

Acting CEO
Armagh, Northern Ireland
Photo of Bill McAllister, PhD

Bill McAllister, PhD

Acting CEO
Armagh, Northern Ireland

Bill McAllister was born in Congo as the son of missionary parents and lived there off and on until graduating from Rift Valley Academy in 1970.  His family witnessed much violence in Congo at independence and also during the rebellion of 1964. Returning to Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1970 they found themselves at the height of the IRA bombing campaign where they witnessed more violence. It was at this moment he realized that the human condition of sin was universal. We all need forgiveness from God. On this conviction, he dedicated his life to missionary work. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Queens University of Belfast and a Ph.D. at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Returning to Congo, he lectured and became the Director of the Bunia Theological Seminary and then left to become Africa Director for Compassion Canada. Returning to the UK, he worked as CEO for Christoffel Blindenmission UK. He is now the acting CEO of Congo Initiative UK.

His wife Norma, is a retirement care-home manager and they have 4 children; 3 live with their partners in Cambridge, England, while 1 lives with her partner in Dubai. They have 3 grandchildren and counting…

Photo of Judith McKinney

Judith McKinney

Fundraising and Communications Coordinator
Armagh, Northern Ireland
Photo of Judith McKinney

Judith McKinney

Fundraising and Communications Coordinator
Armagh, Northern Ireland

Judith joined Congo Initiative – UK in November 2019 as Fundraising and Communications Coordinator.

She has an extensive background in project management, events management and administration both internationally and in the UK. Judith holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and French from Queen’s University of Belfast and a postgraduate Diploma in European Business Administration.

Judith has a deep passion to see social transformation and enabling people and organisations to better achieve this. Based in Spain for over 10 years, and with extensive travel, Judith managed the International Office of the NGO World Horizons, where she supported the organisation both in international coordination and communications, as well as regular field visits supporting leadership across multiple countries.

Prior to joining Congo Initiative UK, Judith worked in London, UK, for 10 years in the charity sector in project development and management, senior administration and event management roles. This work focused on improving outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage locally and nationally through education and mentoring. Judith has recently returned to live in Northern Ireland and is excited to be using her skills and experience to help develop CI-UK as it supports the work in Congo.

Photo of Olufemi Akinlabi, MD

Olufemi Akinlabi, MD

Board Chair
Cavan, Republic of Ireland
Photo of Olufemi Akinlabi, MD

Olufemi Akinlabi, MD

Board Chair
Cavan, Republic of Ireland

Dr. Olufemi Akinlabi was raised in Lagos, Nigeria. His dad was Muslim while his mother was Christian. Though he attended mission primary and secondary schools, he was raised Muslim. He grew up seeing his mother attend church (African Church Mission). He qualified as a medical doctor in Nigeria in 1990. After periods of compulsory post-qualification postings and years of working in Nigeria, he left for Lesotho in 1999. While there, he was employed in a Christian Mission hospital, Maluti Adventist Hospital in Mapoteng. It was in Mapoteng that he met Jesus Christ and gave his life to the Living God.

He came to Ireland in 2003 to join his family and also continue work in his field of study. His family lives in Cavan and are members of the local church, Cavan Baptist Church. He has served in the Church as a Deacon and as Church Secretary, and was recently elected into Eldership. Olufemi is married to Olufunke since 1993 and their marriage has been blessed with two girls who are in college in Dublin and a boy in secondary school.

Photo of Eric Clarke

Eric Clarke

Belfast, Northern Ireland
Photo of Eric Clarke

Eric Clarke

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Eric Clarke is currently the Christian Blind Mission Country Manager for Northern Ireland. His first professional qualification was in Environmental Health, becoming a Member of the Institute of Environmental Health and Member of the Royal Society of Health.

Following God’s call to use his musical gift, he joined the staff of the Movement for World Evangelisation as soloist. Following ten years in this work, he studied Financial Services and worked in the profession for 15 years, developing his own financial consultancy practice.

He joined the Council of Belfast Bible College, which he chaired for three years. He also joined the Board of Christian Ministries, an umbrella organisation overseeing the ministry of three former colleagues–John Blanchard, Peter Anderson, and Derek Cleave. He has been the Chair for twenty years. From 2001-2012, he was on the Board of Prison Fellowship (NI) and acted as Hon. Treasurer.

In 2008, he became a Trustee of the Christian Fellowship Trust, a small but significant organisation in helping as ‘start-up’ supporters of new initiatives for the Kingdom of God. Following retirement from Financial Services, he joined Christian Blind Mission in 2008 and will be retiring in March 2016. God has doubly blessed him with a second wife, Helen. My first wife, Sally, passed away 27 yrs ago. They celebrated 25 years of marriage in May 2015. She has been a wonderful support and encouragement to all his ministry.


Photo of Heather Saunders

Heather Saunders

Belfast, Northern Ireland
Photo of Heather Saunders

Heather Saunders

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Heather’s interest in serving in Africa began when she was very young, as her parents held a monthly missionary prayer meeting in their home. Bob and Alma McAllister and their family stayed with us after their traumatic time in Congo, and the prayer group prayed faithfully for their work there.

After studying French and German at Trinity College Dublin, Heather trained as a teacher at the University of Wales and taught modern languages at secondary level for some years. Biblical Studies at the Irish Baptist College as well as further study in linguistics, literacy and Bible translation led to her and her husband Philip joining Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1980.

For the first twenty years, they were involved in the translation of Scripture into Kouya, a previously unwritten language of Ivory Coast. The Kouya team produced an alphabet, a dictionary, reading books and literacy materials, and eventually a New Testament was published in 2002.

When not working abroad, Heather was a regular lecturer in Phonetics for Wycliffe trainees and also for several years at Ulster University. After completing a Master’s in ESOL at Queen’s University, Belfast, she taught English to Speakers of Other Languages part-time for ten years.

Since 2010 the Saunders have also been members of the Seed Company, an affiliate of Wycliffe. They are translation consultants with experience in Ivory Coast, Madagascar and, since 2015, in Western Zambia. They hope, God willing, to see two more Zambian New Testaments completed within the next few years. They have three married daughters and five grandchildren.


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