Elliott J. Anderson is Assistant Professor of Psychology and Pastor to Staff and Faculty at Judson University and Partner in CORE13 Construction Company. He is also Teaching Pastor at Solid Rock Church (Elgin, Illinois) and has a private practice in counseling out of his home. Elliott has also been a crisis therapist, a collegiate basketball and baseball coach, a vice president, a jazz and gospel drummer, an author, and owned multiple businesses. He has taught, performed, preached, and coached in Japan, Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and all over the United States. He and his wife Angie have two adopted sons, two biological daughters, four long term foster placements, and housed over 40 college students and missionaries.
Elliott's passion is loving Christ and loving others through making disciples and sharing the gospel in whatever way the Spirit moves and the Lord desires. Though a foot shorter, Elliott was a college basketball teammate of Jeff's at Judson University and a lifelong friend and supporter of his ministries ever since. Andy Buehler has been working 35 years with the Kenosha County Planning & Development office spending the last 19 years as Division Director and Director. Over the years Andy has guided many developments that have impacted the community, locally as well as at the state and national levels. He has focused his efforts in building collaborative relationships with local and state partners in advancing development within the County.
Andy has a Bachelor’s of Science in Geography and a Master’s of Urban Planning, both from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Andy lives in Kenosha Wisconsin with his wife, Ruth, son Isaac and daughter Katie. They are active members of Refuge Church. Andy works on developing relationships with men in the church and is an avid supporter of all teams Wisconsin (Packers, Badgers, Brewers and Bucks).
Andy and his family are very active in working with and supporting the Hunts and the EA team since 2010 when Ruth accompanied a team from Christian Life School to South Africa. She returned in 2012 with Andy and the kids, then 12 and 10, and they were hooked. Ruth's nonprofit, AAROW (Area Ambassadors Reaching Out Worldwide) raises funds to support ministries like EA, and she has lead teams to work with EA in 2021, 2023, and 2025 with plans to continue every two years. In South Africa, Andy focuses on developing relationships with men within the ministries of EA. He is diligent in maintaining those relationships throughout the year via WhatsApp. Barry Clair is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God with a church leadership degree from Southeastern University in Florida. He pastored Bethel Assembly of God in Quincy, IL for 12 years and has also served as a staff pastor at Lakeshore Tabernacle in Kenosha, WI; Tri County Assembly in Cincinnati, OH; and Calvary Temple Christian Center in Springfield, IL. He has been the lead pastor at Tiffany Fellowship in Kansas City, MO since 2007.
Barry is passionate about impacting and mentoring people not only in the USA but also around the world. He has taken many trips overseas teaching leadership conferences in Mexico, China, South America, South Africa, Thailand, Sicily, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Hong Kong.
He has been a part of Jeff Hunt's life as a friend and mentor including trips to South Africa in 2002, 2003 and 2025. Barry believes in the mission of Engage Africa and is committed to helping facilitate the work in South Africa. Abby grew up near Chicago in Elgin IL. She began working with children even as a teenager, teaching Sunday School, teaching in a preschool, assisting in a special education class for children with behavior disorders, and working with after school programs. She attended North Central University in Minneapolis, MN where she majored in elementary education with minor studies in children's ministry and deaf cultural ministries. After college, she served as a children's pastor for about 6 years before spending 2 years as a missionary associate at Jackson's Ridge Children's Ministry Training Centre near Rustenburg, South Africa.
While in South Africa, Abby helped organize and teach kids camps for under-privileged children, taught a variety of seminars for children's ministry training conferences, and co-directed the Jackson's Ridge Baby Shelter (a place of safety for orphans and vulnerable children in crisis). She quickly fell in love with the people, the culture, and especially the children of South Africa. After experiencing the incredible needs of South African children, Abby committed to spend her life making a difference. She and her husband, Jeff, established Engage Africa to engage the children of South Africa in life to the full... for as long as it lasts. Vern Hunt has been involved in the housing industry since 1969. In the early 70's he owned and operated Hunt Plastering Company, which was founded by his grandfather. In 1987 he founded Cavin Investments, Inc., a real estate investment, development, and construction company. From 1987-99 he developed several residential subdivisions in norther Illinois. Vern and his family relocated to Pensacola, FL in 1999 where he has been active in the real estate market as a real estate broker in Florida and Alabama.
Vern's love for Africa and her people began in 1996 when he was part of a missions team sent to Kenya and Uganda to build several churches. In 1999 he returned to help build a Bible school in Kenya. A business venture in 2008 brought Vern to Kenya and South Africa, where he was once again impacted by the spiritual and practical needs of the African people.
Vern now resides in Pensacola, Florida with his wife, Susan. They have 3 daughters, 3 granddaughters, and 1 grandson. He loves to travel and enjoys golf, fishing, boating, and, especially, spending time with his family. Sonya Jones was born in Springfield, Illinois and grew up an only child in Litchfield, IL. She attended Litchfield High School and played several sports. Sonya was a 4 year Varsity fast-pitch softball player at Greenville College, where she received a bachelor's degree in physical education. She was an All-American her junior and senior years and was named All-American Player of the Year. Sonya also holds two Master's Degrees, one in Educational Leadership and one in Educational Administration. She received her Master's Degrees from the University of Illinois in Springfield, IL. Sonya was recently a finalist on Season 16 of NBC's hit reality show The Biggest Loser. Sonya lost a total of 144 pounds while on the show earning the title of Runner-Up falling to the winner by less than 1 pound. Sonya is a Professor of Sport and Kinesiology at Greenville University and owns and operates two weight lose clinics in called Losin' It with Sonya Jones. Sonya is actively involved in her church, Calvary Church in Springfield, IL and has been on our board since its inception. She also enjoys working out, spending time with those she loves which includes her friends, family, students and her pit bull puppies. Jeni Johnson is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University where she studied music education. She served in full time music ministry at Calvary Temple Christian Center in Springfield, IL from 1999-2006 and remains very active with worship arts at Calvary including 9 years as choir director. Currently, Jeni is employed by Bickford Senior Living where she works in Marketing and community relations. Special interests include playing bassoon in local performing groups, singing anywhere at any time, dabbling in interior design, and enjoying time with friends.
In 2006 Jeni was able to travel with a church team to South Africa. The team hosted basketball camps... where Jeni was able to demonstrate how NOT to do a lay up! However, the majority of the trip was spent with orphaned and vulnerable children and infants who were very easy to fall in love with. Just one experience with the people of South Africa was enough to make her not only want to return but also to support the efforts of Engage Africa. Rachel Majors is a seasoned finance and accounting executive with broad experience in corporate finance across a range of industries. She began her career in the audit practice at KPMG LLP and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Rachel holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Biblical Studies from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul.
Rachel is deeply committed to her faith and community, actively serving at Park Community Church in Chicago. She is also an avid outdoor and fitness enthusiast and a voracious reader.
Rachel has faithfully served as Engage Africa’s Treasurer since its founding. In 2006, she traveled to South Africa to witness firsthand the needs of the local communities and to deepen her understanding of Engage Africa’s mission and vision. Milissa Niemann has served in the field of education for more than 20 years, working with learners from preschool through college. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication from UW-Parkside and her master’s degree in Teaching from Cardinal Stritch University. In addition, she holds licenses in Reading and in English as a Second Language from Carthage College and Cardinal Stritch University, respectively. She currently serves as a middle school reading interventionist, supporting students in developing essential literacy skills.
Milissa and her family live in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they are active members of Refuge Church. She serves on the church’s hospitality team and is deeply committed to creating a welcoming environment for all. Milissa and her husband, Tim, are the proud parents of Alexander and his wife, Savannah, and Carly. Milissa has also fallen in love with the role of Nani.
Milissa’s passion for Africa began in 2016 when she traveled to Kenya and South Africa on a mission trip focused on partnering with local churches and sharing the gospel with teenagers. Deeply moved by the people she met and the relationships she formed, she felt a strong calling to continue serving communities across the continent. In 2021, Milissa, Tim, and Carly returned to South Africa on a family mission trip—a journey that especially inspired Carly, who has since completed several internships with Engage Africa. Milissa returned to Africa in both 2024 and 2025 and is preparing to lead a mission team in 2026.
Milissa brings to the Board a heart for service, a commitment to cross-cultural ministry, and decades of experience in education and community engagement. Larry Sauter is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God with a BS in business education from Illinois State University and a MA in special education from Western Michigan University. He has worked as a houseparent at Glenwood School for Boys in Glenwood, IL; director of residential treatment at Guardian Angel Home, Joliet, IL; college administrator for the University of Saint Frances in Joliet, IL; Minister of Christian Education and Children's Pastor in Elgin, IL; and Executive Pastor at First Assembly of God in Normal, IL, and Care Pastor at New Life Covenant Church Elgin and Principal at Highland Christian Academy. Both are in Elgin, IL. He and his wife, Penny, spent 10 years serving as Assemblies of God missionaries to people with disabilities. They have a passion for God and for serving those overlooked by society. Larry has recently retired from church based ministry. Larry, and his wife Penny, join the ministry team in South Africa for 6 months a year.
Larry's first trip to South Africa was in 1996 when he visited Jackson's Ridge Children's Ministry Training Centre to do building projects so there could be kids camps on the grounds. He has been back several times with teams of children's pastors or church groups to do a variety of building projects, kids camps and to do training for adults to work with the children of South Africa.
Larry has served as Engage Africas Chairman since its inception. He and Penny are invaluable to the organization.
