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 Frank Devine, Member
Married to Jeannine for 33 years, they have three children (a married daughter, a married son, and a second son who is a junior in college) and two grandchildren. He serves as an Elder at Memorial Church of Christ in Houston, Texas. His business calls on distributors in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
 David Langford, Member
Born in 1955. Married 29 years to Lisa Gomez. They have three children – two daughters and one son. He received his MA in Communication and Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He has served as minister with the Quaker Avenue Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas, since 1988 and as an Elder there since 2001. David also serves as an Associate Editor for Christian Appeal and Gospel Tidings.
 Robert Lee, Member
Born in San Bernardino, California, in 1952. Married to Jana, they have three grown daughters and one granddaughter. He is a graduate of Fresno State University and the Fresno Bible Preparatory. Robert has served as the Pulpit Minister for South Fulton Street Church of Christ in Denver, Colorado, for 36 years.
 Gene Shelburne, Member
Born in 1939. Married 53 years to Nita. They have a daughter, two sons, and 13 grandchildren. He is in his forty-fourth year of ministry at the Anna Street Church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas. A widely published author, Gene is a past Chairman of the BSA Foundation and a Director of the Curtis and Ruby Humphries Charitable Trust. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and WTAMU.
 Shawn Tyler, Member
Married 34 years to Linda Watkins. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University. He served 31 years as a missionary to East Africa and helped establish a children's home and primary school in Kitale, Kenya, a Bible school in Mbale, Uganda, and initial work on LivingStone International University. Shawn returned to America in 2012. He now lives in Lubbock, Texas, and works part time in missions for Quaker Avenue Church of Christ and teaches at Lubbock Christian University.
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 Lowell Ezzell, Treasurer
Lowell served as a Deacon at Main St Church of Christ when he lived in South Houston and he has served well as the Treasurer for the Namikango Mission since 1974. Through the wonders of electronics, he has continued this work after moving to Utopia in the Texas hill country.
 Robin Vaughn–Hughes, Secretary
Robin attended Main St Church of Christ since she was born. She handles a variety of work for the Mission including lay out, proofing, and publishing the monthly Mission Report. She keeps up with contributions, correspondence, and online transactions as Secretary for day-to-day activities.
“Oh, you of little faith!” . . .
…Jesus would probably say this to many of us who are church leaders today. It would certainly be a fitting rebuke for those of us who lead the Anna Street congregation in Amarillo. Seven or eight years ago when Mark Thiesen contacted us about becoming his sponsoring congregation, we were delighted by that possibility but dubious about our small church’s ability to meet such a challenge financially. Before Mark called us, our monthly commitment to Namikango had been $100. We Elders thought that was generous.
When we talked with our people about Mark’s request, we asked them to let us know how much extra they might be able to give each month toward the Thiesens’ support. When our people immediately offered an additional $600 monthly, we Elders were stunned and humbled. By the time the Thiesens left Malawi, our commitment had reached $1,700.
Let me briefly share the next chapter of this story. When Ben and Becca were able to secure their total support from family, friends, and congregations who know and love them, we at Anna Street decided to redirect our Namikango commitment to provide support for Bisani and Lillian. When we informed our people of this shift, we explained to them the monthly support for the Mphongolos in the Namikango budget.
With some timidity, we Elders asked our people how much extra they might offer to help us cover more of Bisani’s monthly check. We feared that we might be stretching our small flock too far already. Within two weeks our congregation agreed to raise our monthly commitment. God keeps on reminding us that his people are incredibly generous people.
I tell you this tale not to boast but to ask what might happen if you challenged the church you worship with to assume the support of a particular project at Namikango. What if you talked to your people about the possibility of underwriting the monthly support of the maternity clinic or possibly the annual Bible study program? I suspect that your leaders might be as surprised as we were at the response you would get from your people.—
Would you believe that during the time we have increased our giving to missions, the increase in our annual income has outrun the giving by a significant amount?
Gene Shelburne
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