Our Fearless Leader:
Bethany Drum is excited to go on her first-ever mission trip. After 19 years of staying at home with her three great kids, Nathan, Seth, and Dara, God called Bethany into ministry as the Women's Ministry Director here at IBC. She is passionate about encouraging women and seeing them grow in Christ. Bethany is married to her best friend and amazing husband, Dave, who is an Elder at IBC. In her free time, Bethany enjoys reading, cooking, running, and drinking sweet tea.
Assistant Team Leader:
Kara Walker is on staff at Immanuel as the Student Ministry Program Director. This will be her second trip to Rwanda. She is excited to be a small part of the big things that God is doing in Rwanda!
Team Encourager:
Enid Walker is a mother of five wonderful children (three of which are accompanying her on this trip). She is on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ, serving women through a ministry called Significant Women. She is passionate about encouraging women to understand their value to God and to pursue a personal relationship with Him. This will ber her first trip to Rwanda. Enid is excited for the opportunity to serve the Rwandan people.
Prayer Warrior!
Linda Parker calls the Washington, DC area home, although she has lived in Panama, France, and Texas. Traveling has been a great pleasure and an amazing privilege for her family. Linda has three adult children and six grandchildren. Her favorite pass time is grandmothering along with memoir writing, going to the beach, and watching the Nationals play baseball. Linda has attended IBC since 2003 and became a member in 2010. Her interests at the church are Prayer, Missions, Women's Ministries, and the Care and Counseling Ministries including widows ministries and GriefShare. This fall, she will be working with ESL. This is Linda's first trip to Africa and she is very excited to be on the team!
School Coordinator:
Beverly Atkinson is married to Bill and they have 2 grown children; Nikki who is married to Ian and lives in Virginia Beach and Justin who is a 2nd Lt. stationed in Italy. Beverly is the Character-In-Action Program Director for Immanuel Christian School. This will be her 2nd trip to Rwanda. She is excited to take school supplies from ICS students to the students in Kayonza and Kageyo and build our relationship between the two schools. She also looks forward to meeting Sifa's grandmother.
Women's Program Coordinator:
Deshua Joyce
Street Kid's Ministry Coordinator:
Ariel Walker is an undercover Disney princess. She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a BA in history and minor in religious studies. However, her real passion is working with children. This will be her first international missions trip, though she has previously traveled abroad. She is super excited about going to Rwanda and looks forward to how God will use her in the lives of the children she will encounter there.
Finance Coordinator:
Lynn Tanner has been married to Ron Tanner for 38 years. She has three daughters, and eight grandchildren. Lynn moved to Virginia 4 years ago with Ron's company, after living most of their married lives in Omaha, NE. They are BIG Husker fans. Lynn and Ron found IBC the same time they found their house, and they praise God they found a church home so quickly! Lynn is in choir and Highest Praise. She is very excited, and humbled, to be able to take part in this missions trip, and "I would love prayers that I would feel God's presence and follow His leading while in Rwanda."
Safety/First Aid Coordinator:
Lynn Wingerd and her husband, David, have attended IBC since 2002. She is a mother of 4, grandmother of 3 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Lynn accepted Jesus as her Savior at an early age and has been active in evangelical churches all her life. She has been involved in many home mission projects over the years, and in 2009, she and David joined the IBC Venture team on a trip to Nicaragua with Living Waters International. She has been supporting women in the Africa New Life training program for the past two years, and is excited about going with the Women's ministry team to Rwanda this October 26! Lynn is currently seeking God's guidance preparing for this journey, looking forward to sharing His love, and serving others in Rwanda. We ask for your prayers as we prepare, travel and serve where He has called.
Snack/Water Manager:
Elisa Paigo is blessed to be part of such a spirit filled and faithful team. She has wanted to go on a mission for a long time and she knows God has placed her here. Elisa has three children and seven grandchildren, with one more on the way. She works in Retail Management, so she is a good fit as snack manager. Elisa is excited and looking forward to the wonderful things God has in store for the group!
Team Photographer:
Kris Tompkins is from Wisconsin originally and was raised on a dairy farm. She became a Christian in college through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. After obtaining a Master's degree, she found a job in Florida. Kris met her husband at a church there and were married over 26 years ago. Shortly after Paul and Kris were married they moved to Northern VA. They have been at Immanuel for 25 years and have raised their children, Meghan and Andrew here. She is looking forward to ministering in Rwanda in what ever capacity she can be useful.
Team Mascot/Baggage Counter/Fashion Consultant/All-Around-Awesome-One:
Zoe Walker is the youngest, but most vital member of the team.
Blog Manager:
Kirsten Hughes is as native to the DC area as a military brat can be. Though she has moved more times than she can count with her shoes on, this will be her first missions trip. She is passionate about social justice issues and worked with multiple organizations while attending Houghton College that focused on issues in Africa. As a result, she has felt called to visit Africa for many years and is beyond excited at this opportunity. Kirsten majored in Elementary Education at Houghton and loves working with children, especially those with special needs. In her downtime, she can often be found with a camera glued to her face, editing her pictures, or freelance design work.
