2012 MAIN SPEAKERS

Ron Blue, Ph.D.

"BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM MISSIONS"

Ron is a former missionary and president of CAM International. Ron has traveled to more than fifty countries. He joined the staff of Dallas Seminary in 1965, winning the Faculty Award the same year, and served as professor and chair of the World Missions and Intercultural Studies department. Four years ago he helped to launch the Seminary’s Spanish Doctor of Ministry program in conjunction with Seminario Teológico Centro Americano (SETECA) in Guatemala. On May 13, 2006, the first graduates of this program were recognized during the Seminary’s commencement services. The author of Evangelism and Missions, Dr. Blue is married to Libby. Together they have three children: Lisa, Laurie, and David.

Terry Dalrymple, M.Div.

"SEEING BEYOND THEIR NEED"

Much of our mission effort is needs based. We start with the question, “What do they need?” This reduces people to projects.  How can we create mutually transforming relationships with our international partners that respect dignity and build capacities for sustainable development?

Terry serves as Coordinator of the Global CHE Network (www.CHEnetwork.org). He provides leadership to a growing movement, equipping and mobilizing Christians to work together for effective Community Health Evangelism (CHE) ministries in rural poor communities and urban slums around the world. After many years of service in the Philippines, Terry pioneered for Medical Ambassadors International in 9 countries in Southeast Asia, working together with partners to establish CHE ministries in more than 400 communities. Later as International Coordinator he guided the expansion of a growing movement now with CHE partners from more than 500 organizations serving in 118 countries. Terry is a capable teacher, author, and enthusiastic speaker on the subjects of Biblical wholism and transformational development. He holds a Bachelors degree in Bible, and a Master of Divinity from Western Seminary in Portland Oregon. Terry is married to Jeannie who works as a nurse at Mayo Clinic. They have three adult children. .

Rev. Wayne Francis

"SUSTAINABILITY"

A gifted speaker and passionate storyteller, Wayne grew up the son of missionaries. He spent the first twelve years of his life in Kenya going to school with other missionary kids at Rift Valley Academy. He continued his education at Northwest College in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada and went on to pastor a church in Peterborough, Ontario. In 1970, he moved to Calcutta. During his fourteen-year stay he traveled extensively throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh to share God’s message of love and grace. Later, he served as Pastor in churches in Modesto, California and Bellingham, Washington. Today, he lives with his wife and two daughters near San Diego. His love for kids and his desire to give them a chance to fulfill their dreams motivates him as he travels across the country speaking at meetings, conventions, foundations, and events raising funds to support the work of Calcutta Mercy Ministries. Wayne is passionate about encouraging others to overcome life's adversities. His missional focus is to promote projects which create long-term indigenously supported programs.

Gil Odendaal, Ph.D., D.Min.

"INDIGENOUS SOLUTIONS"

Gil has serves as the global pastor/director for the Saddleback Church PEACE Project. Prior to that, he was the regional coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa with LifeWind (formerly MedicalAmbassadors) International. Odendaal has 30 years of ministry experience as missionary, pastor, educator and leader and is a speaker and conference teacher at Bible schools, seminaries and churches. He also conducts regular training seminars in holistic development in Africa and various other global settings. For the past 10 years he has progressively immersed himself in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in Africa. He holds a firm conviction that the AIDS pandemic is not a hopeless case. His research for his doctorate in intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School focused on the AIDS pandemic and the role of the Church. He also holds a second doctorate in homiletics and contextualized communications from Westminster Theological Seminary. Odendaal and his wife, Elmarie, were born and raised in South Africa. They have been married for 32 years. Elmarie is an advancement professional and currently assists in his work. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Glenn Schwartz, M.Miss.

"SHORT-TERM MISSIONS WITH IMPACT"

"AVOIDING DEPENDENCY"

Glenn Schwartz is the author of "When Charity Destroys Dignity". He served the church in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the 1960's. He served for six years as an administrator in the School of World Missions at Fuller Theological Seminary. Since 1983, he has served as Executive Director of World Mission Associates and has been researching, writing and speaking about issues of dependency and self-reliance in the Christian movement. He and his wife, Verna, reside in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They have two adult children serving in Christian ministry.

Carine Toussaint, M.A., Ed.S.

"LOVE MY PEOPLE, BUT LOVE THEM WELL"

Crossing Cultures With Appropriate Engagement

Carine Toussaint is currently serving as Director of Global Outreach at Westerly Road Church in Princeton, NJ. Her position entails planning, administering and participating in major mission projects nationally and globally. 

Prior to working as a career missionary, Carine spent most of her career as a higher education administrator working primarily with disadvantage college students.  She served as a college administrator to various colleges including Ocean County College for three years as Director of the  EOP and SSS program. Carine received a B.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Masters of Arts in Counseling and Personnel Services from the College of New Jersey and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from Rider University.  She is a licensed professional counselor through the state of NJ.   

She has extensive experience in cross cultural understanding, She speaks four languages (English, Spanish, Creole and French) and has traveled throughout the world as an ambassador through various academic and religious programs.  She has been a part of arranging, planning and attending over twenty international mission trips over the years; including extensive work in Asia during the great Tsunami, New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina and recently in Haiti after the devastating earthquake.  The Haiti project was especially close to her heart being Haitian-American and having family still living in the Island.  Carine has taken numerous trips to Haiti since the earthquake providing Post Traumatic Counseling and other support to victims. 

Carine enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, camping, gardening and hanging out with her friends and her large extended family!