Our Facilitators
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Gifts through these partnership links will go to the individual facilitator, not the CIT general budget.
Who Are You Looking For:
Al Swenson
Dr. Andy LaBreche
Cary Clifton
Chad Lynch
Dr. Glen Gibson
Dr. George Schultz
Dr. Joe Milioni
Mark Padgett
Nancy Kilpatrick
Dr. Pam LaBreche
Paula Robb
Ruthanne Lynch
Stephen Seely
Steve Torrison
Wendy Gibson
Al Swenson
Agency: Ethnos360
Courses: Language Learning Accelerator
Al grew up in Wisconsin and was saved at the age of thirteen. He desired to know the Bible and grow in his faith, so his pastor suggested attending the New Tribes Bible College in Waukesha, WI. It was here that he heard for the first time about unreached people groups. After completing the two-year bible course, Al went on to train for mission work with Ethnos360 (formerly, New Tribes Mission) in Rochester, PA. There he met Dori and they married in October of 1982. After his four-year training with Ethnos360, Al received a degree in Intercultural Studies.
In 1984, with their three-month-old daughter, Al and Dori left for Papua New Guinea to begin a work with the Mangseng People Group who lived remotely on the island of West New Britain. After two years Al had some major health issues that brought them back to the USA. Ethnos360 asked Al to join the staff at the training facility in Camdenton, MO. He taught culture and language acquisition there for 23 years. God blessed Al and Dori with two more daughters and a son while they were in Missouri. In 2011 they moved to Sanford, FL to be Chaplains at the Ethnos360 center for retired missionaries. It was then that Al began to come to CIT during the two-week SLA courses to facilitate the Phonetics segments. In 2018 CIT invited him to be the Campus Pastor full time. He is seconded to CIT by Ethnos360.
Dr. Andy LaBreche
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Equipping
Andy grew up in a Christian family. He met Pam at Bible college, and she go him hooked on missions. In 1984, after graduation and just a year after marrying, they set off for China, where they taught English for two years, ate Chinese food three times a day, and Andy enjoyed being a head taller than almost everyone else.
After China, Andy and Pam returned to the States and entered the Th.M. program at Dallas Theological Seminary. Andy graduated in 1992 with majors in Old Testament and Historical Theology. In 2007, he completed the doctoral program in missiology at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Heverlee (Leuven) , Belgium. His dissertation was entitled “Ethnocentrism. U.S.-American Evangelical Missionaries in Romania: Qualitative Missiological Research into Representative Cross-Cultural Value Based Conflicts.” And in spite of its long title it has actually proved quite practical in missionary training and even in mediating several conflict situations.
Andy and Pam served in Timisoara, Romania, from 1996 to 2018. Andy assisted with projects at the Areopagus Center for Christian Education and Contemporary Culture, taught in Bible institutes, and did outreach to university students. He also served his mission in field leadership, missionary training, and member development.
Andy and Pam have two boys, Alex and Nate, who are out of the nest. And they still love Chinese food.
Cary Clifton
Agency: MAP Global
Courses: Equipping
When I came to Christ in high school, I knew practically nothing of the Bible or Christian things—a total newbie. After college and seminary, I moved to Hong Kong and experienced a far deeper and frightening newbie-ness, staring into the massive and mysterious world that was China in 1983. A whole table of Chinese would stare as I stumbled to use my chopsticks. Being under the authority of two Chinese organizations and spending three years in language training gave me plenty of chances to unlearn, relearn, and build some understanding of the treasure of the people among whom I lived.
Eventually, I co-founded an organization built on that acquired understanding. It focused on giving minimally educated church leaders a handle on the foundations of the faith and how to lead a church in their situation. I spent the next 25 years crafting the curriculum, building the approach and then working myself out of a job.
I see my failures and successes as God-given growth points to help those whose hearts beats for the nations. I help facilitate the Equipping course and I am also the Asia Coordinator for CIT Global.
And I do OK with chopsticks now.
Chad Lynch
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Equipping
Chad’s spiritual journey started when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease during his sophomore year in high school. Later, God drew him closer as he became involved with the “Navigators” at California Polytechnic University. Upon graduation, Chad worked for IBM as a network programmer specialist at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina and attended Chapel Hill Bible Church where he met his wife, Ruthanne, and gained spiritual maturity. After 5 years, Chad moved back to Salinas, California to start a LLC with his father in computer consulting for school districts. During this time, they adopted their three children while attending a bilingual church.
Following God’s leading towards the mission field, they moved to Columbia International University in South Carolina where Chad received an MDiv degree in Missions. At last, the family packed their bags and headed to southern Chile for the next 10 years to work among the Mapuche, an indigenous people group. In 2018, Chad joined CIT, where he and Ruthanne now share their experiences and encourage new missionaries as they prepare for their international journeys.
Dr. Glen Gibson
Agency: New International
Courses: Equipping
Growing up in Southern California Glen has a love for other cultures that let to ministering cross-culturally throughout his adult life. After serving as the youth minister at his home church in a multi-cultural community, Glenn and his wife, Wendy, lived and ministered for seventeen years in the Philippines. Upon their return to the United States in 2003, Glen held leadership positions in three mission organizations including his current role as Executive Director of Open Door Libraries. From 2008 to 2015 he was Chair or the International Studies Program at William Jessup University.
Glen and Wendy, who grew up in the Philippines as a child of missionaries, were married in 1986. Together they have raised three amazing daughters and now enjoy life with them, their husbands and three granddaughters.
Glen holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary where his research focused on leadership development, church effectiveness, and urban ministry. He loves to hike, run, kayak, play golf, swim or just about anything else that can be done outdoors.
Dr. George Schultz
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Debrief Retreat
George graduated in 1975 from Columbia Bible College with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biblical Studies and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in l979 from Denver Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary. George completed his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) at Columbia International University in 2001. His dissertation was entitled Models of Missionary Training: An Assessment of Alternative Approaches to Training for Cross-Cultural Ministry.
George and his family served on the field in missions from 1980 to 1994 in Canada, Alaska, and Russia doing demographic and receptivity survey work in Minnesota, Ontario and Manitoba, teacher and director of the Arctic Bible Institute, church planting in an Athabascan village in Alaska, Director of Missionary Training Outreach (summer missionary program), Alaska Field Director, Director of Siberian Ministries and Russian Field Director.
Since 1995, George has served as a director of the Center for Intercultural Training. The CIT program now services a partnership for the training of missionaries from a variety of mission agencies and churches.
Dr. Joe Milioni
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Equipping, Language Learning Accelerator, Debrief Retreat
Joe and his wife, Ladaere, grew up in strong Christian families who loved missions. They met at Spring Arbor College and found they both felt God leading them to serve overseas. After teaching in Detroit, going to seminary at Liberty University, and a year in language school (Costa Rica), they landed in Uruguay with 3 young children.
In Uruguay, they helped establish a Bible school and developed a church planter training that is still being used in several areas in Latin America. Next, they moved to Costa Rica where Joe served as regional leader and helped start a church planting network in Cuba. During that time, Joe started facilitating a course on church multiplication at CIT. After Costa Rica Joe and Ladaere moved to Jordan to help Mesa Global establish in the Middle-East.
While serving in Jordan, Joe was asked to consider the position of Director for CIT Global. Then in 2021, Joe took on the role of Senior Training Director. Joe is excited about the opportunity to help missionaries from all nations thrive as they serve around the world.
Mark Padgett
Agency: MAP Global
Courses: Equipping
As a TCK (Third Culture Kid), Mark was born and raised in Costa Rica where his parents served as missionaries for 20 years. After high school, he went to the U.S., where he studied Psychology at Bryan College and then Missions at CIU. After graduation, he pastored a small Hispanic church in Brownsville, Texas, prior to returning to Costa Rica in 1987 to serve full time in ministry. In Costa Rica, he has served on pastoral teams, been involved in teaching, discipleship, Theological Education by Extension, and sports ministry. In 1990, he married Maritza Calvo, a Costa Rican national, and since then has served at Seminario ESEPA as a faculty member and in various administrative roles. He has also had the opportunity to serve in Cuba, helping out with different ministries there. Maritza and Mark have two adult daughters, Stacy and Rachel. Mark likes to run, play soccer, and is a follower of Club Sport Cartaginés, the oldest professional soccer team of Costa Rica, who, after 81 years of losing, finally won the 2022 championship.
To partner with Mark, please make out your check to North River Church and designate it “Costa Rica Special.” Mail it to North River Church, PO Box 464, Hixson, TN 37343.
Nancy Kilpatrick
Courses: Equipping, Debrief Retreat
Nancy served in Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda with United World Mission for 17 years. Her ministry included obstetrical and public health education, trauma healing ministry and facilitator training, and Freedom in Christ discipleship course ministry with Ugandans, South Sudanese, and Congolese emotional trauma survivors and refugees. She is now transitioning to serving as a facilitator at CIT for ¾ of the year, and following up on ministry in northern Uganda ¼ of the year.
Nancy holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Houghton University in New York and a BSN in Nursing from Madonna University in Michigan. Nancy has worked for more than 40 years as a childbirth educator, doula, and Labor and Delivery/Perinatal and Pediatric nurse. Nancy is a Master Facilitator with the Trauma Healing Institute, facilitating trauma healing groups, and training new trauma healing group facilitators in Africa and the US. Nancy has facilitated the Freedom in Christ Discipleship Course for many years, combining it with the trauma healing program in her ministry.
Nancy was married for 26 years, never happily, and was divorced in 2009. Much of the reason for, and call to missionary service came as the result of experiencing the trauma of a physically abusive husband who was also addicted to pornography – but also the redemptive, transformative, and merciful love of her Father God who gave her His beauty for her ashes, and His “new thing” in missionary service to other broken people (Isaiah 43:18, 19).
Nancy has three adult children, (all sons), and 7 grandchildren – 6 grandsons, and one granddaughter, who is the first girl in 3 generations of Kilpatricks! Besides being with her family, Nancy loves to cook and entertain, listen to classical music, sing with other people, read, and do needlepoint. She also loves spending time with people one -on- one, sharing a good meal, laughing, and meaningful conversation.
Dr. Pam LaBreche
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Equipping, Language Learning Accelerator
Pam grew up in the home of church planters and was interested in missions from an early age. She committed to serve as a career missionary during her first year in college and solidified that commitment during a summer internship in the Ivory Coast. After marrying Andy, she spent two years teaching English in China. After seminary, she spent 22 years in Romania (1996-2018). She homeschooled her two boys while also serving as librarian at the Areopagus Center for Christian Education and Contemporary Culture, doing some teaching, and baking brownies for international students. She served as language consultant for her mission, writing a language policy and advising missionary supervisors on language learning issues. She has also had roles in member development, Europe-wide mission leadership, and on the board of SHARE Education Services.
Pam has a B.A. in English in Bible, and a Th.M. in Old Testament from Dallas Theological Seminary. In 2019 she completed her Ph.D. at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Heverlee (Leuven), Belgium, with her dissertation entitled, “Locals as Stakeholders: An Investigation of the Contribution of Romanian Evangelicals to North American Missionary Ministry Evaluation.”
In her spare time, Pam enjoys reading just about anything and watching old movies.
Paula Robb
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Debrief Retreat
Paula’s interest in other cultures began in her teen years, when her dad who was a social worker, helped resettle people from Southern Asia in Toledo, Ohio. The exposure to their lives, traditions and beliefs sparked her desire to travel and to make many international friends.
After six years of working in public and private schools, Paula and her husband felt led to serve in China for a “couple of years” and subsequently fell in love with the people there. They served in China 25 years, living in six cities and raising two children.
Paula has a Master’s in Music Education, but has taught many different subjects along the way. She is a certified Life Coach through Coaching Mission International (CMI) and finds joy in coming alongside overseas workers who need help finding their next step or direction.
Paula and Jon started work at CIT January 2020 and Paula serves as the Debrief Retreat Coordinator and the Kids (TCK) Department Director. She loves hiking, swimming, gardening, and making music.
Ruthanne Lynch
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Equipping, Language Learning Accelerator, Debrief Retreat
Ruthanne’s love for cultures began at an early age. She was raised in the home of a pastor with frequent missionaries and international visitors. Starting at age 13 she has participated in short term missions in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Ruthanne has a BS in nursing. She worked in a mission hospital in Sierra Leone, taught nursing, worked in pediatric oncology at UNC and in the NICU in California.
She served in Chile for over 10 years working with the Chilean church and working with an indigenous people group.
Ruthanne has raised 3 TCKs (Third Culture Kids) while in Chile. She enjoys hiking, dark chocolate, coffee and good conversations.
Stephen Seely
Agency: Mesa Global
Courses: Equipping, Language Learning Accelerator, Debrief Retreat
One of Stephen’s early memories was inviting his biology teacher father to his elementary school classes each year to show his creature collection (including a ten-inch bird spider) and talk about the year his family spent at a Wycliffe base on the edge of the Amazon Jungle. The impact of belonging to a family and church family with a heart for the world was that he also sought opportunities to serve abroad.
A summer Stephen spent in Taiwan paved the way for accepting an opportunity to teach English in China. In the end, Stephen’s two-year commitment turned into more than twenty years. He later met his Oklahoman, farm girl wife while both were studying Chinese. They enjoyed doing life in China with their four children who range from elementary age up through high school. A love for the Chinese people and a heart for those that serve abroad are the legacy of that period of time.
Stephen is energized by sharing God’s Word and by participating in others’ spiritual formation. He also enjoys making sourdough bread, hiking, gardening and playing music with his family.
Steve Torrison
Agency: IM, Inc
Courses: Equipping, Language Learning Accelerator
Steve came to know the Lord at the age of 8 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He recommitted his life to God while serving in the U.S. Navy and answered the call to ministry during the same time. After his service in the military, God opened the door for Steve to attend Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma, where he obtained his B.A. in missions and Christian Education. During his time at Randall, Steve met his wife and the Lord directed them both to overseas missions.
Steve and his wife spent 2 terms in Panama, where both their girls where born. During his time in Panama, the Lord directed Steve to teaching and training, which he had the opportunity to continue when they transitioned to Uruguay some time later. After 6 years in Uruguay, and through much prayer, God gave them to opportunity to serve at CIT. Steve has been employed with IM,inc. since July of 2004.
Wendy Gibson
Agency: New International
Courses: Debrief Retreat
Wendy spent twelve years as a missionary kid In the Philippines, where her parents served as Evangelists and Church Planters. Southern California was her stateside ’home’ and she eventually received her BA in Church Growth from Hope International in Fullerton, CA. While in college she met her husband, Glen, and together they have served in Global missions for 37 years. The first 17 years were spent in the Philippines as Church Planters and doing Leadership training and Children’s ministry. In addition, for two years Wendy administrated a small co-op school for Missionary and Expat children and later taught Middle school Bible and PE at Faith Academy (a school for TCK’s). Together, Glen and Wendy have three Daughters, Three Son-in-loves and four grandchildren(so far).
For the past 20 years, Wendy has been focusing more on coaching global workers as a partnership development coach (fundraising) and trainer as well as doing Life coaching (CMI certified). She loves people and coming alongside each of them to help them thrive and to know they are valued. She and Glen currently are Regional Directors for New International in Central Europe, The Middle East and parts of Africa. Most of the affiliates they serve work with Open Door Libraries, a third space/community center situated in areas of the world where people are indifferent or hostile to the Church.
Wendy also loves the beach, snorkeling, playing board games and hanging with her grandchildren. She also loves all things Cinnamon, especially Cinnamon Dulce coffee!