MICHELE PERRY :: National Field Coordinator/National Leadership Team

Michele is a born visionary and creative whirlwind.  An artist, writer and photographer, she travels the world roughly 1/3 of the time to speak and share the lessons she is learning on this unpaved road into God’s heart.  And her idea of camping is still a spa day.  Go figure!

She’s in love with Jesus. plain and simple.  She’s pretty captivated by her 150 or so children and her favorite places are trash heaps and unreached villages… and, well, day spas.

Oh yes.  She is the “crazy white woman” who started this whole shabang in these parts.  And she is very humbled by all God is doing here!  Read more of those days in her first book Love Has A Face.  She never has less than 20 irons in the fire at any given time, so read up   on her adventures on her {almost} daily blog From the Unpaved Road.

She is available roughly 4 months out of the year for speaking engagements in the West. She loves, really loves, to see people encounter God’s heart, experience the supernatural realm they are created for and step into their destinies.  So invite her to come hang out, speak, drink coffee.  We assure you she is a very happy missionary, especially when offered vanilla lattes.    Email her to find out more.

PASTOR JOHN SEBIT :: National Community Relations Coordinator, Nat’l Leadership Team

John was one of the first people Michele met in Sudan. He has become a trusted friend and leader, a papa to the work. He is a fearless evangelist and during the war years risked his life to bring the Gospel to the frontlines. He regularly sees many signs and wonders. His faith and sense of humor is a gift to us all. He walks with the love and authority of heaven behind him.

MAMA EUDITA :: Head Mama YCV, National Leadership Team

Eudita was our first official team member in 2006 and has been with us since we opened our doors. Her wisdom and love makes our children’s village run!  And we think she has the best laugh in the whole world. She is a beloved member of our senior leadership team.

TITO SAMUEL :: Yei Compound Manager, National Leadership Team

Tito is a never failing source of practical insight and wisdom. He oversees the practical running of our Yei Headquarters and is a pure joy to be around.  He epitomizes a gentle wisdom, kindness and love as he helps the children grow and is a papa to them. He loves to laugh and has a beautiful family of his own.  His hospitality is incredible. Tito is a gift to Iris and we thank Jesus for Him.

CATHY GROENENDIJK: Juba Hope Center, National Leadership Team

Cathy is the newest member to our National Leadership Team. Cathy founded a work in Juba called Confident Children Out of Conflict. As of Aug 2010, they have become the newest members of our Iris family.

Together we are pioneering the Juba Hope Center and South Sudan Restoration House rescuing children and women out of sexual trafficking and abuse. We are thrilled to be following the dreams of God together and have freed 4 young women in the first few weeks alone.  You can email her here:  cathy.groenendijk@gmail.com

BETTY JALAN: Finance and Women’s Discipleship, National Leadership Team

Betty came to work with us in 2008 with her late husband Patrick Jalan, who was our first national director. She has a gorgeous young son named Zion and a call to preach the gospel all over Sudan.  She oversees our finance department having extensive experience with other NGOs. She also disciples our mamas and her sweet disposition is a joy to us.

PASTORS JOHN AND SARAH LIGHT :: Regional Pastors, National Leadership Team

Pastor John Light has been with us since the beginning. He has a strong prophetic gift and often receives amazing direction from Jesus in dreams and visions.  Healings and the miraculous follow him where ever he goes. His joy and faith are an encouragement to us all.  He is persevering in very difficult ground and seeing amazing fruit. His wife Sarah and their children Rebekah and Issac make up their family.

Carolyn :: Awiel Base Director/National Leadership Team

Carolyn comes to us from a distinguished career in the US Navy.  She is a pure joy to be around.  Her faithfulness and maturity are gifts to us.  We see and celebrate the calling of God on her life to pioneer one of our newest bases along the northern border.   She walks in wisdom from heaven and incredible favor.  Follow her journey on her weekly blog.

Irina ::  Yei, Hospitality Director, Party Planner & Administrative Mastermind

Irina joined our team in 2010 and has been working collating and getting our admin details all marching in the right direction (a huge job we might add) as well as whipping our hospitality department into shape for our visitors.  She is a linguistic whiz and a huge answer to prayer! She also is helping to disciple our children and will be serving with the development of our House of Prayer. She previously served 2 years on staff with Zadok House of Prayer in South Carolina before joining us.

Wendy :: Yei, Wings to Fly, Vocational Training/Life Skills Coach, Educational Center aka Dream Coordinator

Wendy oversees our children’s educational progress, helps us find individualized solutions to their needs and dreams, and mentors them in life skills and career choices during the transitional phase after graduating their time at YCV.  She also coordinates our Wings to Fly Scholarship program which helps transition our oldest children into the next steps of their journey.  Wendy is an encourager to the core and an absolutely essential part of our family.  We love her. A LOT.   She helps us ALL fly higher in Him.

Anna :: Yei, Media Diva and Photographer Extraordinaire

We are so grateful to finally have a dedicated, gifted media missionary!  Shaba to that!  Anna is helping us capture our world so we can artfully bring you into it.  She is giving photography lessons to our children and coordinating several creative arts projects during her time with us.  She has a heart as big as Sudan and we are honored to have her with us.

More missionary bios coming soon!