Simon and Lizzie Guillebaud
Working in Burundi since 1998, Simon Guillebaud recognized the potential of strategic co-operation with local partners. In 2003, Simon founded Great Lakes Outreach (GLO) in response to the massive needs in the country.
GLO partners with local Christian organizations to share God's message and to fund sustainable projects that transform lives. GLO is a charity that works for the spiritual and physical development of the people of Burundi, located in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. The main partner is Scripture Union Burundi (SU) including Kings Conference Centre (KCC). GLO also works with Youth for Christ (YfC), Harvest for Christ (HfC), Partners Trust International (PTI), Evangelism Explosion (EE), Union des Groupes Bibliques au Burundi (UGBB) and L'Association pour la Promotion des Relations Interconfessionelles et du Développement (APRID).
The Guillebaud Family is currently spending two years in the United States networking and preaching throughout the country.
Caleb and Louise King
The King Family moved to Shyira in March of 2003, responding to the call to provide much needed medical care to the surrounding rural population. Under their leadership, and that of Bishp John Rucyahana, the hospital has reopened – after 10 years of having no doctor - and is operating at full speed.
Dr. Caleb King attended Harvard Medical School, where he met Dr Louise, also attending medical school. Caleb specialized in pediatric gastroenterology, Louise in internal medicine. Their work demands that they expand far out from their respective specialties. Caleb is currently spending most of his time in administration, overseeing the hospital as well as the 15 health centers. He is also actively pursuing options for hydroelectric energy in the area. Louise spends her mornings at the hospital and homeschools in the afternoon. She is also involved with the Houses with Hope project, as well as the kindergarten.
They strive not only to provide for the physical needs of their patients, but for spiritual needs also. Caleb and Louise pray with each patient during their rounds and consultations. They try to help their patients understand that although there can be suffering in this life, through the sacrifice of Christ, they can live in peace, both in this life and during the life to come.
The Kings have four children: Sarah, age 12; Hannah, age 10; Caleb, Jr., age 8 and Lydia, age 5.
Suzy McCall
Originally from Barnwell, SC, and an alumnus of the College of Charleston, Suzy has served in Honduras since 1990. In 1999, Suzy founded LAMB (The Latin American Missionary and Bible Institute), a Christ-centered, multifaceted ministry based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras that seeks to reach out to the world with the love of Jesus.
Today, LAMB also operates an elementary school with over 250 children in one of the most violent and poverty stricken areas of Tegucigalpa, a residential home for over 60 abused and neglected children outside of the city, and a community assistance program which seeks to minister to the needy with food, medical care, construction help, microfinance assistance, as well as a new, large outreach program to the youth.
In addition to her role at LAMB, Suzy has 7 adopted Honduran children of her own: Sarahi 28, Mari 18, Noe 17, Lety 14, Sallie 7, Elsa 6, and Lucy 3 1/2!
Francis and Jean Pereira
Francis, Jean, Esther, and Andrew Pereira are currently living and ministering in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India. Jean has been a member of St. Andrews since 1997. In 2005, Jean went out to explore the possibility of being a long term missionary in India. There she joined the work of New Life Fellowship Church and met Francis, the pastor of New Life Fellowship-Metro. They were married in Mumbai in July of 2006.
Francis was born and raised in Mumbai and has been the pastor of Metro church for 13 years. About 30+ years ago Metro was the original New Life church congregation out of which over 400 churches have emerged in Mumbai itself, and several thousand throughout India. Presently, Metro has two English speaking congregations, and five Hindi speaking congregations which all meet separately on Sundays. Metro also oversees the House of Prayer which was the first of nine prayer houses in Mumbai. The HOP receives prayer requests from all over the world and is staffed by two full time staff and one full-time volunteer. The HOP is also open for individuals and groups to come and pray throughout the day and night.
The Pereira’s vision is to see God’s Kingdom come in all its fullness in Mumbai and throughout India, even overflowing to the surrounding nations. We are looking to see the transformation of lives, of communities, and of the nation; first spiritually, and second physically. When India looks like the Kingdom of Heaven, then our work here will be done.
Francis and Jean have two children: Esther, born in 2007, and Andrew, born in 2009.
Olivia Perry-Smith
Olivia has considered herself a missionary all her life. From high school in Colorado just after the Columbine shootings, through her years as a cadet at The Citadel, she intentionally sought to love people and develop relationships with the aim to be salt and light.
In 2005 she visited Simon Guillebaud with a team to Burundi, then was part of Year Team at St. Andrews. In 2007 she moved to the UK to be part of a church plant and attend grad school in international development. These experiences prepared her for the eventual move to Burundi in 2009 where she replaced Simon as country director of Great Lakes Outreach (GLO).
GLO aims to remain small while helping their seven local partners develop and accomplish their visions. Olivia coordinates projects with the partners, facilitates teams and volunteers, and works alongside the staff at an international conference centre built as a social enterprise for Scripture Union. And when there is extra time she loves discipling young leaders, praying for the sick, preaching… and bringing the Kingdom of God in the Heart of Africa.
John and Nancy Rigstad
John and Nancy were called out from St. Andrews in 2001 to Lausanne, Switzerland, the international headquarters for Medair. Medair is a humanitarian agency that exemplifies the love, hope and compassion of Jesus by bringing life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, crises and conflict areas working with the most vulnerable. Each year Medair serves over 3 million people with primary health care, shelter and reconstruction activities and improved water and sanitation.
John is presently the Internal Controller with responsibility for internal audit, risk assessment, internal controls and fraud prevention. John often visits project sites to train and coach Medair staff in principles of humanitarian excellence and accountability. He has previously served as Finance Director and Information Services Director responsible for worldwide IT and communications.
Nancy teaches 3 year olds in the early childhood program at the International School of Lausanne. John and Nancy have a long career in missions beginning with a year in Jerusalem, followed by 3 years of service in Youth With A Mission in Switzerland and then teaching Biblical principles of entrepreneurship in post-communist Romania for four years. They have been members of St. Andrews since 1998.
John and Nancy participate in a multi-national house church in a mountain village, where John shares some of the teaching responsibility. They have two grown children living and working in Mount Pleasant. Sarah and husband Brad Hubbard are active members of St. Andrews and Elizabeth is a recent graduate from the College of Charleston.