Kumar holds a degree in Psychology, and his main job involves leading all the ministries of OM in South India, including the Good Shepherd Community Church pastors and church planters, the Dalit Education Centers, the Good Shepherd Urban slum ministries, as well as work among the Muslims of South India and the women’s work called the Arpana Women’s Prayer Network.

Kumar is the Karnataka State Convener of the All India Christian Council, as well as the State President of the Communal Harmony Committee. He also serves with the Karnataka state Human Rights Commission. Kumar is involved in the Dalit empowerment movement across India working for the betterment of the Dalit Community. He is on the Board of Directors of the Dalit Freedom Network, USA.

Kumar has traveled extensively around the world and has spoken to audiences in universities, government bodies, churches and professional organizations. In addition, he has been featured at summer music festivals and major missions conferences, especially in the United States.

Kumar is married to Jeeva who was born in Malaysia but grew up in India. At present, she is involved with OM India’s emerging work in anti-human trafficking among women and children. Kumar and Jeeva were married in December 1987. They have two children – son Abishek (age 20), and daughter Arpana Ruth (14).

Biography taken from: Dalit Freedom Network

For 17 years she and Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines where Martin was a jungle pilot delivering mail, supplies and encouragement to other missionaries and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities. Gracia served in various roles supporting the aviation program and also home-schooled their children–all of which were born in the Philippines.

While celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, the Burnhams were kidnapped on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group, a militant group of Muslims. They seized several more guests and took them to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold.

In the ensuing months some of the hostages were killed, but most were set free. From November 2001, only the Burnhams and one other hostage remained in captivity.

During their 376 days of captivity, they faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, frequent gun battles, coldhearted murder-and intense soul-searching about a God who sometimes seemed to have forgotten them.

On June 7, 2002, in a firefight between the Philippine military and the Abu Sayyaf Group, Martin was killed. Gracia was wounded, but was freed.

Since that time Gracia has authored two books, In The Presence Of My Enemies, and To Fly Again. Her oldest son, Jeff, is now married and living in Lynchburg, VA where he is completing his studies in missionary aviation at Liberty University. Mindy has graduated from high school and is attending New Tribes Bible Institute in Wisconsin. Zach will graduate from Rose Hill High in May 2009 and is looking forward to what God has in his future. Gracia resides in Rose Hill, Kansas. Because of her unique story, Gracia is a popular speaker for churches, conferences and schools.

Biography taken from: Gracia Burnham’s website

Their oldest daughter, Marci, passed away suddenly from unknown causes in 1998. God has given Pastor and Jorie a platform to help many others through their own experience of grief and loss. Their youngest daughter, Marisa, is married to Scott Gronholz and they have two children.

Gary is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute; Trinity College, Deerfield, IL; Denver Seminary, (M.Div); and Loyola University (D Ed).  He has served on the boards of Greater Europe Mission, Youth for Christ, Leadership Design Group, Seattle Association of Theological Education, and Denver Seminary. Pastor Gary has a heart and a passion for mentoring others, be they adults, grandchildren, or emerging young leaders. He is a firm believer in being a Godly role model and desires the same for everyone in the congregation.

Bio, Pastor Gary Gulbranson, Westminster Chapel, Bellevue

Greg has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.  He has been in ministry in the Philippines since 1985, primarily in church planting.  He has founded the following ministries in Metro Manila:

Megacity Ministries Inc.(MMI)  A ministry focused on reaching inner city young people with moral values and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Using evangelistic camps, this ministry has reached over 200,000 young people in the past eight years.  Additionally MMI has established similar ministries in Cambodia, Mexico City, Las Vegas, Pakistan, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Botswana.

Baptist Bible College Asia (BBCA)  An educational leadership training ministry to equip and prepare the next wave of Asian leaders in ministry and society.  With enrollment reaching 1000 students annually, BBCA is emerging as a strategic training ministry to launch non-western missionaries in many closed countries.

Youth JAM/Hoop Heaven International.  A targeted ‘first touch’ youth basketball ministry, reaching into over 40 public high schools throughout Metro Manila.

Impact Asia, A growing international team, is now partnering together to achieve a greater footprint of ministry throughout Southeast Asia.  At present the team is working to plant 100 churches by 2018 in Metro Manila and other Asian Urban Centers.  With 13 church plants already, they are training the next level of pastors who will launch the new churches.   They intend to reach 1 million youth with the Gospel in the same time frame.

Bio of Greg Lyons.  Baptist Bible Fellowship, Pasig City, Metro Manila,  Philippines