Our Board

 

Steve Langton
Board Chairman

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Steve Langton is a business owner in Fayetteville, AR. Steve spent most of his career in wood product manufacturing. Steve is a native of Washington State but has lived in Arkansas, Virginia, and Indiana where he has been involved in wood products manufacturing and has managed sawmills and flooring mills for the last 20 years. He enjoys backpacking skiing. He was ordained an Elder by Fellowship of Christians of Russellville, AR in 1995. He and his wife are members of First Baptist Church of Rogers, Arkansas.

Dr. Acha Goris
Vice Chairman

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Dr. Acha Goris is married to Rachel Goris (who is a MK and RN) and they have two boys Ike and Ingam. Acha holds a bachelor’s degree from West Africa Theological Seminary in Nigeria in theology, two master’s degrees, from the Theological College of Northern Nigeria in Missiology and Cincinnati Christian University, in pastoral counseling, as well as a Doctor of Education from the University of Cincinnati in counselor education and supervision. Dr. Goris has been training counselors for over 10 years, first at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, and currently at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. Before that he pastored, did upholstery, and taught at WATS before migrating to the US. He and Rachel are missionaries at heart and take every opportunity to be involved in missions.

Dr. Goris’ primary contribution to missions is networking by organizing learning/mission/cultural immersion trips for students and Church members in the West to Africa. He enjoys connecting people (resources with needs) and pointing them to Christ. In addition to serving on the board of Bread for Life, he also serves on the US board of Friends of West Africa Theological Seminary.

Dr. Goris enjoys sports, travel, history and working on cars.

Ernest Ehabe
President/Chief Innovation Officer

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Ernest Ehabe serves as President of Bread for Life. He has served the Church in West and Central Africa for over 25 yeas in various capacity (Student Leader, Evangelist, Pastor, Church Planter and Mission Strategist). He did his schooling at Arkansas Tech University and Lee University and at George Fox University.

Since 1980, Ernest has directly and indirectly been involved in evangelism and church planting efforts across West Africa. He has also been involved with efforts of reaching Africans in North America: challenging them to change the destiny of their continent on the basis of a Christian worldview.

As president of Bread For Life International, Ernest is responsible for BFL’s overall operations, which include fund-raising, advocacy, and program development. In addition to traveling and speaking across North America, Ernest spends a lot of his time in the West-Central part of Africa, consulting with Christian leaders, speaking at missionary gatherings, implementing strategies, reaching the lost as well as encouraging the saints.

Ernest and his wife (Elizabeth) were married in 2003. Elizabeth served with Cameroon government as a translator/Interpreter and later in project management at the US Embassy in Yaounde. The Ehabes moved to the USA in 2005 to focus on developing a US donor base. They relocated to Yaounde, Cameroon in 2008 to focus on daily ministry and to raise their three children, Nathan, Kisheri and AJ.

Sharon Bickel
Board Secretary
Jeff Talarico

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Jeff Talarico is a man learning to trust God daily and walk in the freedom that comes only from Christ. He lives in Kerrville, Texas with his wife, Caryn, where together they serve their community through ministry and faith-driven leadership. Jeff is an ordained minister of the Gospel and has the privilege of pastoring Transformation Church in Kerrville, where his passion for teaching, discipling, and encouraging others continues to grow.

In addition to ministry, Jeff owns a values-based financial planning practice where he helps individuals and families pursue retirement goals with wisdom and clarity. He holds the designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and Certified Kingdom Advisor®, integrating biblical stewardship principles into financial decision-making for those he serves.

Jeff and Caryn met in college, and he often says that they “grew up together, both physically and spiritually.” Shortly after they met, Caryn led Jeff to Jesus—a moment he still sees as one of the greatest blessings of his life. They have raised two wonderful daughters, Caitlyn and Rebekah, who now invest their own lives in the next generation as teachers.

Jeff has been active in community service for many years and has served on several nonprofit boards, including Christian Women’s Job Corps of Kerr County, the Hill Country District Junior Livestock Show Association, and the Rotary Club of Kerrville. His heart for missions, leadership, and Kingdom impact continues to shape everything he does—including his support of Bread For Life’s vision to empower indigenous African leaders and communities for spiritual, social, and economic transformation.

Bryan Bickel
Scott Remer
Dr. Kathleen Holland

Read about Kathleen
Kathleen is Pediatrician. She has practiced in her office in Kerrville, Texas for 24 years. She also attends patients in three hospitals in San Antonio. She is the Medical Director for Pediatrics at Kindred Hospital, San Antonio, where a pediatric, long term, acute care program is in the development stages. She is also a member of the board of directors of a local pregnancy crisis center, and right-to-life organization. She lives in Kerrville, TX with her husband who recently retired as a Radiologist from Brook Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston. They have two grown children.

Advisors

 

Dr. Bill Blackburn

Dr. Bill Blackburn comes to us with an extensive education and experience with ministry, non-profits and serving on boards.

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He has a Masters of Divinity, a Doctorate of Philosophy as well as postdoctoral studies in biblical studies, medical ethics and psychology. He has served on 12 other boards and committees and has received two awards for his service to his community of Kerrville Texas.

His vocation has led him to work as a hospital chaplain, pastor, counselor, family life consultant, teacher, and as President of Partners in Ministry. Currently his is a consultant for the Hill Country area non-profit organizations and churches for Bread for Life.

He has also authored five books as well as over 100 magazine and journal articles. One of his books, “What You Should Know About Suicide” has been translated into Chinese. He has been a columnist for the Bryan-College Station Eagle and the Kerrville Daily Times in Texas. His articles for the Daily Times will be published in a book form called “The Effective Nonprofit Organization”.

Dr. Blackburn has taught, led conferences, and preached in sixteen states and six foreign countries. He has appeared on over sixty radio and television shows.

Bill has been married to Deana Mattingly Blackburn since June 1, 1968. A high school English and Latin teacher, for thirty years Deana worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kerr County and three adjoining counties. Bill and Deana have two children. Cara lives with her husband and six children in Woodway, Texas, where they are part of a Christian ministry there. The Blackburn’s son, Carter, is a sportscaster with CBS Sports and lives with his wife and daughter in Austin, Texas.

Beth Russell

Beth Russell, M.A. is executive director of Serenity Life Resource Center a non-profit organization in Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified clinical trauma professional.

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Beth also holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Administration. Beth is dedicated to excellent business practices that honor God. Her personal mission statement is to build healing relationships based on redemption that provides a proper introduction to Jesus.

Former Board and References

 

Curtis Roberts

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Mr. Curtis Roberts spent the last forty-four years working with companies ranging in size from $20 million to over $2 billion dollars in sales, where he held positions such as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. He has also had the opportunity to direct and manage every aspect of several types of business organizations (including non-profit 501(c) (3)). In addition, he has conducted several types of management training and executive transition seminars for senior management; both as President of his own company and as a hired consultant. He has also been involved in the start-up of churches and the establishment of the Dream Center in Los Angeles (originally affiliated with Phoenix First Assembly) and has served in many capacities in his local church.

Mr. Roberts graduated from Texas A&M University, with an athletic scholarship and was privileged to compete with world class athletes in several events

In addition to all the fun of working at various organizations, his outside interests include flying (he has a commercial pilot rating and has been flying airplanes of various sizes and types since 1966), photography, and outdoor activities of all kinds.

Mr. Roberts has been privileged to serve on the Boards of two non-profit organizations and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), The Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), and The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He and his wife (Margaret), live in the absolutely beautiful Palm Springs area in southern California.

Floretta Green

Read about Floretta
Floretta is a Florida native who works as a Community Planning and Development Representative for the Federal Government. She has participated in countless international missions trips, including two to Cameroon. She is a member of Evangel Temple Assembly of God. She holds degrees from the University of North Florida, University of Florida and Liberty University. She is actively involved in a wide variety of community organizations. She enjoys playing tennis and sharing the message of salvation.

Chris Schneider

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Chris Schneider is a native of Texas currently living in Washington State. For the last nine years, he has worked for Dell Computer as a program manager within Dell’s managed services division supporting large corporate accounts.

In 2004 he and his wife Heidi became associate pastors at Heritage Church in Port Orchard, WA. Previously he served in various capacities including the mission’s board at Fellowship of Christians in Russellville, AR. Chris and Heidi are the parents of three children.

Dr. Roxanne Cheek

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Dr. Roxanne Cheek is a veterinary doctor who lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and two children. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Roxanne makes house calls to take care of her canine and feline patients and is involved with the choir and missions committee at Ortega United Methodist Church. Roxanne was introduced to Bread For Life by the Downey family and has since made numerous trips to Cameroon with short-term medical teams as a pharmacist and agricultural trainer. At home, she organizes teams, works on fundraising efforts and collects donations for the ministries in Cameroon.

Greg Campbell

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Greg works as a Senior Manager for an IT Consulting firm in Colorado Springs, CO. He has been involved in overseas missions for 20 years and has traveled extensively. Greg was the Missions Chair at a church in Rockville, MD for 7 years. As Missions Chair, he worked with the Senior Pastor and committee members to establish the vision, policies, and budget of the missions program. He was responsible for building relationships with national pastors, evaluating potential projects, pastoring missionaries, and helping them establish prayer, financial, and logistical support. He has served in a variety of lay leadership positions including, small groups, bible classes, worship, altar ministry, and local cross-cultural outreach He and his wife, Sabrina, attend New Life Church where Sabrina works for the church’s children’s ministry. Greg and Sabrina enjoy raising their two children in bilingual, Colombian-American household.

Andrew West

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Andrew West is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with 14 years of work in the Human services field and 10 years in counseling. Andrew has worked in several locations including the US Army(veteran) as a research assistant, Psychiatric, residential, community-based services and he currently works for Auburn University providing clinical and supervisory services for the Dept. of Youth Services under contract, and maintains a private practice in Montgomery, AL. He holds Master degrees in Christian Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from Oral Roberts University. He is also a Registered Family Mediator. He is active in National and state professional associations. Andrew is married to Rochelle they have with 3 children. He attends Christ Church International.

Jackson Downey

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Dr. Jackson Downey lives in Jacksonville, FL with his wife Jenny and four children. He received his medical training at the University of Florida and Duke University for a Family Practice Residency. He has continued in the same group practice, clinical research, administrative medicine, hospitalist practice, and medical education for more than twenty years. He or family members have served in the mission field in Kazakhstan, Mexico, Trinidad, Tajikistan, India, and Africa. For the last five years Jackson has taken teams to Cameroon, West Africa as part of Bread for Life as an outreach of Lake Shore UMC.

Stan Jackson

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Stan Jackson works as an assistant warden at Missouri’s largest correctional facility. He also has over 10 years experience as a facilitator, teacher, and counselor. Stan and his wife, Christina, both graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with masters degrees in Criminal Justice and Education respectively. The Jackson’s and their two children reside in a small town near St. Louis. Christina teaches reading to kindergartners at an area elementary school. Stan serves on his community’s Planning and Zoning Committee, on the Vision Committee of his local Methodist Church, and is an avid chess player and secretary of the local chess club.

A list of awards Stan has received include Teacher of the Year (Potosi Correctional Center-2000), Missouri Department of Corrections Life Saver Award (2003), and resolutions for his lifesaving efforts from the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives in 2003. Stan also earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Religion and Philosophy (1982) from William Jewell College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Truman State University (1988).

Tim Nix
John Terry
Bridging the gap • Changing mindsets • Transforming our culture…to the standard of Christ