Executive Director- Karen Roller
Karen Roller has over 20 years of experience living and working in Africa. She and her husband served as cross-cultural workers in the Congo, Nigeria and Malawi before returning to live in the United States. She has a diverse background in education, curriculum development, leadership development, literacy training and translation. Karen speaks Chichewa, the native language of Malawi, fluently and also has studied Effik, a regional language of Nigeria, and Swahili.
Karen has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Asbury College and brings a strong understanding of the needs of those living in undeveloped countries, a great ability to communicate across cultural boundaries and a tremendous desire to serve the poor. She and her husband, Leonard, have three adult children and live in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Malawi Country Director – Ernest Phiri
Ernest Phiri has over 20 years experience leading people in his community. After attending bible school, Ernest began working in the Msipe Community where our projects are based. His deep understanding of his people, his love for the children and his wisdom in dealing with crises provide a bridge for Circle of Hope to help the poorest of the poor with dignity and compassion.
Ernest brings a strong leadership capacity, the ability to relate across cultures, and a deep desire and determination to assist the people of his community. Ernest has five adult children of his own and hundreds more that call him "Daddy". He lives at the Grace Center.
Board Members:
Debbie Brownlow
Debbie Brownlow has joined the Circle of Hope Community with more than nine years of teaching experience. Her years in the classroom provide an excellent background for working with children, but Debbie will tell you that the children are not her first reason for joining Circle of Hope. She is deeply concerned for the leadership in Malawi and has dedicated herself to supporting, encouraging, training and developing that leadership. Debbie has traveled to Malawi many times providing leadership and education training.
Debbie brings knowledge and experience in working with children, education, and leadership development plus a deep love for Malawi and her people. She and her husband, Brian, live with their three children in Sweetwater, Texas.
Dave Smith
Currently the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Kingswood University, Dave has 10 years of experience as an undergraduate professor, and more recently as the Associate Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry, and chair of the Division of Religion and Philosophy at Indiana Wesleyan University (’00-’10). Prior to his career as a professor, Dave served as a pastor and spent ten years as a Computer Systems Analyst with Nationwide Insurance.
Dave and his wife Angie have been invested in Malawi for several years now, having made two trips to visit the Grace Center. Dave founded the Bible school for the Grace Alliance Church in 2008 and has been developing curriculum for their studies ever since.
Dave comes to the Circle of Hope board as a gifted leader, accomplished scholar, and an exceptional teacher. His undergraduate training was at Circleville Bible College (OH) and Asbury College (KY). He also holds an M.A. in Biblical Literature and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Durham.
He and Angie have two adult children and live in New Brunswick, Canada.
Vickie Wisian
Vickie joins the COH board with over 15 years of business management and non-profit leadership experience. She and her husband, Elroy, are committed members of the Circle of Hope community. They have supported COH projects through their non-profit organization, Elroy and Vickie Wisian Ministries, Inc., and Vickie has twice served on teams to Malawi. She has a passion for the children and wants to be involved in missions where she can serve the poor, orphans and widows in the name of Jesus.
Vickie is a seasoned not-for-profit leader, an experienced fundraiser, a gifted intercessor, and most importantly, a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. Vickie’s life mission is to follow Matthew 22:37-40 in loving and living well.
Vickie holds an Associates Degree in Music from South Plains College (1967), a Bachelors Degree in Speech Pathology from Texas Tech University (1969), and a Masters Degree in Education from Texas Tech University (1973).
She and Elroy live in Lubbock, Texas. They have four adult children and eight grandchildren.
Drew Kirkpatrick
Drew joins the Circle of Hope community as a business man. Drew is a fourth generation cattle rancher, working with his family at Stoker-Kirkpatrick ranches since he was 10 years old.
Drew traveled to Malawi for the first time in 2011. “When we first pulled into the Grace Center, I can still remember like it was yesterday. Cute kids with bright eyes and huge smiles greeted us while we were still on the van. Tonya and Mau recognized each other and both started to cry from the excitement. A big welcome from lots of kids I fell in love with during the next few days and whom I am honored to get to serve.”
Drew holds a bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics/Finance from Texas Tech University (1985). He has served on a number of local boards including the Post Little League Baseball (President), Garza County Soil and Water Conservation (Director) and Post City-Garza County Airport Board. He is a member of the Post School Board and serves as Chairman of his local church board. His extensive experience as a board member has prepared Drew to ask the tough questions to keep our board on track.
“I love the Lord and love my family very much. I am so proud of Tonya and the impact she has had on our community and especially the young people in our town who all adore her. Also, my boys Campbell and Carson who continue to do well in school while participating in four sports and helping us here on the ranch.” Drew and his wife, Tonya, live with their two sons on their family ranch in Post, Texas.
Ben Edwards
Dr. Ben joins the Circle of Hope community as a medical professional. He has been practicing at the Garza County Health Clinic in Post, TX since 2005. Ben is excited to extend his practice around the world to include Malawi and is exploring ways to teach and treat via the internet. Ben and Jamie traveled to Malawi the first time in 2011 taking with them their son, Cade. The gentle, loving spirit of this family won the hearts of Malawians immediately
Ben’s philosophy of care fits perfectly with the vision that God has given Circle of Hope for the health programs at the Grace Center, “The majority of patients I see have a major spiritual need that is manifesting as a physical problem. So, this is where I find the most satisfaction and enjoyment, helping to cure people with Jesus and not just putting temporary ‘band aids’ on the problem with medicines.”
Dr. Ben Edwards is a board certified family practitioner with 10 years of experience in emergency care, family practice, teaching and research. He completed is undergraduate work at Baylor University as a Presidential Scholar (1997) and his medical degree at the University of Texas – Houston Medical School (2002). Dr. Edwards currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.
Dr. Ben and his wife, Jamie, live with their four children in Post, Texas.