Don and Amy Rogers - Founder / Intl. Director

Don is the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of ELI, which began in Kenya and has now expanded to other countries in East Africa. A short-term trip to Tanzania in 1989 was the first of many that eventually led Don to establish ELI in 1994. The work was pioneered by developing relationships with key national leaders to establish Skills for Life Training Centers, Christian schools, and children's homes. The strategy for empowerment integrates Biblical teaching with dynamic ideas and skills that help the poor address the challenges oppressing their lives spiritually, physically, and economically. Don and his wife, Amy, serve together with their two boys (Joshua and Nathaniel), both in East Africa and the United States, dividing time according to the needs of the ministry. When Kenya is the “home base,” Don travels as needed, providing input/guidance to the overall ministry and integrating new appropriate technologies and business ideas. Amy’s passion is to stir others to yearn for more of Jesus, so she focuses on ministering to the ELI staff and women in the villages. Don and Amy invest strategic blocks of time in the U.S., sharing the vision of ELI with individuals and groups in order to ignite World Changers and connect with supporting partners and upcoming short-term teams. Don graduated from Azusa Pacific University and received his M.A. from Asbury Theological Seminary with a focus in Cross-Cultural Missions. Prior to ELI, Don served with Youth For Christ in Southern California, as well as being a youth and senior pastor. He is an ordained minister with the Free Methodist Church.

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Kenya

SAMUEL TEIMUGE - DIRECTOR, ELI KENYA (photo coming soon)

Samuel Teimuge is married to Rhoda and is a master communicator and catalyst for community development. Samuel and Don co-founded ELI in Kenya and established the ELI Ukweli “Truth” Training and Development Center in Ilula, where Skills for Life are taught with passion in the classroom as well as in the demonstration farm. Samuel and the Ukweli team are not restricted to the center alone; in fact, you will most often find them in villages throughout Kenya advancing the unique training programs of ELI, partnering with village pastors and churches, helping rehabilitate alcoholics and illegal brewers, and proclaiming the message of God’s love for their nation and world.

JOHN BUSIENEI - CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, KENYA

John "Bush" Busienei is married to Veronica. John and Veronica felt a strong calling to the ELI ministry and began their work as the directors of the Kipkaren Children's Home. In 2016, Bush transitioned into the role of Chief Operations Officer for ELI Kenya. He is a liaison between the Kenya and USA Boards. He also helps coordinate with all staff who work in the two children’s homes, two training centers, extension schools, Anti-Alcohol program, and children’s ministry.

THE MOIBEN FAMILY - DIRECTORS, KIPKAREN CHILDREN'S HOME (photo coming soon)

Ezekiel and Noella began serving as house parents at the ELI Kipkaren Children's Home when it was founded in 2006. They are currently managing the home and are known to the children as “Babu and Kogo” (“Grandpa and Grandma”). On the entry gate to the children’s home you will find the statement, "Bringing the Fatherhood of God to the Fatherless."

 THE KOSGEI FAMILY - DIRECTORS, ILULA CHILDREN'S HOME (photo coming soon)

David and Priscah live in Eldoret, Kenya. They served as parents in the Ilula Children's Home from its establishment in 2005. With the retirement of our inaugural directors, Laban and Angelina Rono, the Kosgeis were installed as the new managers in 2017.

ISAAC RUTO

Some say that Isaac Ruto is 6-foot, 12 inches tall! Isaac’s skills for training people reach even higher than his stature. He is one of the lead trainers within ELI and guides the International Extension Program. Isaac shared that, "There is a calling on my life. I want to be used of God to see suffering people helped, especially the small-scale farmers. This is where I am seeing the greatest successes and family transformations. There are many paths one could take in life, but for me, helping others in this way is the most fulfilling, and I want to continue until people, communities, and countries are changed."

WENDY LUDOVICI TWYCROSS - PROJECT MANAGER, BUSINESS FOR LIFE (photo coming soon)

Wendy began her ministry with ELI in Tanzania in 1994. As an ethnomusicologist Wendy uses her skills to promote indigenous worship by facilitating songwriting workshops with local musicians. She also uses her background and experience in youth ministry to empower youth leaders to encourage and train young people to become followers of Jesus. In addition, Wendy has a deep concern for the poor and recognizes the need for economic empowerment. Her current focus is managing the Business For Life Project, which provides hands-on business training for poor and unemployed people and facilitates their starting small businesses. Wendy is married to Peter Twycross, and they are based in Nairobi, Kenya.

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DR Congo

KALONDJI MUKENYA - DIRECTOR, ELI DR CONGO

Kalondji Mukenya works in a key position to help oversee ELI DR Congo. His main role is working as the “school promoter” in close collaboration with our staff at the school, as well as with parents in the community and with students. Kalondji was first trained in agronomy and has worked as a school teacher, high school principal, evangelist, and pastor. He brings a great deal of experience and connection to the ministry. As a neighbor to the school and an active leader in the community, he brings a special dynamic to the work. As school promoter, he keeps hours at the school as well as meeting regularly with teachers, administration, and the parents' committee and conducting chapel for students.

Tanzania

FRED OTIENO - MINISTRY COORDINATOR (PHOTO COMING SOON)

Though a Kenyan, Fred has been working in Tanzania since 2009. He has worked mostly with churches, helping them with community development in areas of public health, agriculture, education, gender-based violence prevention, albinism awareness, and trauma healing. He also advises in trauma healing for the American Bible Society and their associated Bible societies. Additionally, Fred co-founded a non-profit working to reduce maternal death in rural Tanzanian villages. He lives in Mwanza with his wife, Leisha, and their three children.

USA and International

JIM CAYA - CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER and DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION (photo coming soon)

Jim has engaged business within ministry contexts for over eight years. He has experience in five continents with his most notable contributions being in Southeast Asia and East Africa. Whether it be in social enterprise, organization development, or investment analysis, Jim’s desire has been to see leaders developed to strengthen the Kingdom. He and his wife, Cat, began service with ELI for two years in Kenya to provide communications and organizational sustainability through business ventures. As Chief Operations Officer and Director of International Implementation, Jim helps refine and strengthen all aspects of the strategic plan that aims to Ignite World Changers.