Frank Batten

Frank is the CEO of Landmark Media Enterprises, which owns classified advertising web sites, data centers, and software businesses. He is also the president of the Aimee and Frank Batten Jr. Foundation, which supports work on Bible translation, scripture engagement, evangelism, education, health and the environment. Frank serves on the boards of the Access College Foundation, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Norfolk Christian Schools. He serves on the president’s advisory council of Wycliffe Bible Translators. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and of the University of Virginia.

Jim Bowman

Jim is the founder and retired director of Scriptures in Use. SIU is dedicated to training grassroots church planters to effectively plant churches through communicating the Scriptures in their mother tongue among traditional oral cultures. SIU along with more than 35 non-western partner ministries are currently holding over 250 training events each year in over 28 countries. Jim and his wife, Carla, served as missionaries among the Native people of Latin America, and subsequently extended their training courses worldwide.

Robert Ferris

Bob is a theologian, educator, and author. He and his wife, Sue, served for 21 years as missionaries in the Philippines where he taught theology, provided educational services for Evangelical ministries nationwide, and served as dean of Asian Theological Seminary. On return from the Philippines, the Lord led Bob and his family to Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions. Bob’s career-long passion has been to see ministry education renewed to better serve Christ’s church. Bob is co-founder of Global Associates for Transformational Education (GATE) and has facilitated professional development workshops for seminary faculties in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Bob and Sue live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; they have two adult children and five grandchildren.

Mark Forshaw

Mark is originally from Liverpool, England but for most of his career has worked globally in Christian mission and community non-profits in four continents. This includes service with United Bible Societies, Africa Inland Mission, the World Health Organization and Tearfund UK. He has published on the subject of Christian responses to community health and social challenges and has spoken on these issues at the WHO, the White House and at a U.S. Congressional Staff Briefing. He was also Adjunct Professor at Cairn University in non-profit effectiveness. A significant benefit of his global travel was marrying Susan, who is Australian, and they have two children, Eleanor born in London and Thomas born in France. Mark seeks to watch soccer games in whatever country he gets to!

Greg Parsons

Greg and his wife, Kathleen Parsons, have been on the staff of Frontier Ventures (formerly the U.S. Center for World Mission) since 1982. Greg worked 27 of those years with Ralph Winter serving from 1990-2010 as the General Director. He now serves as Director of Global Connections and takes great joy in learning from, sharing with, and connecting with missions and church leaders globally. Greg also serves as the Interim President and Ralph D. Winter Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies at William Carey International University. He also writes a regular column in Mission Frontiers magazine, the bulletin of the Frontier Ventures and has published two books—both related to Ralph D Winter. He serves on several boards, including Frontier Ventures, WCIU, Christar, GMI International and Missio Nexus as well. He is married to Kathleen and they have 2 grown children and two grandchildren.

Brad Smith

Brad spent the past 20+ years in the construction industry where he retired as the CEO/principal owner of a national mechanical contracting company. His company was repeatedly named a “best place to work” and was honored as the Arkansas Business of the Year. They were also recognized by the National Association of Homebuilders as having one of the best safety programs in the United States. Brad’s strengths are in strategy, organizational management, and LEAN processes. He currently consults with companies on how to incorporate LEAN principles into their business for success.

He has also owned multiple small businesses and currently directs a small real estate investment firm whose holdings focus on affordable housing.

Brad has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and has studied at Wharton Business School, The Walton School of Business, Cornell, and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.He loves being outdoors on his farm where he lives with his wife of 28 years, their family, and an especially large Giant Schnauzer named Nellie.

Ralf Stores

Ralf is U.S. Director of Media Development and Services for Trans World Radio. Previously Ralf worked as a talk show host, news director, and Director of Development / Corporate Underwriting for WMCU radio in Miami, Florida. He was Founder and Director of Family First Ministries in South Florida, served on the leadership team of Promise Keepers, and also spent twenty years in retail sales and management. Ralf has been married to Tammy for 32 years; they have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Council of Advisors August 31, 2016