Joe was born in Pasadena, TX, in 1964. Following the death of his mother and at the age of eight, Joe, his father, and brother gave their lives to Jesus. Twenty years later, Joe met his wife, Lorraine, at a high school debate tournament. Married for 30+ years, they have one daughter, Becca. Joe graduated with a BS in Computer Information Systems. Joe and Lorraine founded Visualutions, Inc. in 1995 with one customer. It has grown to 75+ employees and 300+ customers. The focus is primarily on Healthcare IT with 90%+ customers being Federally Qualified Community Health Centers, many of which have a Christian basis. Joe and Lorraine also have a Christian base in their business. Joe has attended Houston NW Church for 20+ years. He has served as Deacon, Trustee, and has led the Greeter Ministry for 10+ years. Learning about World Hope through a message delivered by Pastor Willy Dengler, WH South Africa, Joe and Lorraine began to learn about, support, and get more involved with WHMI. Together, they have been on several mission trips through Global Reach. Joe joined the Board in 2011 and became an officer in 2013.

A native of Austin, TX, Carolyn is the sister of WHMI Founder, Dr. Harold Davis. Raised in a strong Christian family, Carolyn accepted Jesus at the age of 11. After graduation from Baylor, Carolyn's family grew with the blessing of three children. After moving their family to Orlando, FL, Carolyn found herself divorced. Four years later, Fred Dalton walked into her life and they shared a wonderful marriage of 38 years. After moving back to Austin, TX, Fred and Carolyn both developed businesses, seeking God's direction in all they did. Fred and Carolyn were invited by Harold, her brother, to become involved with World Hope. Carolyn considers it a blessing to continue serving on the Board. Following the death of her husband, Fred, Carolyn spent much time with Harold and his wife, Frances, laughing, crying, hugging, and praising God for revealing His plan regarding the Bible Institute. As a Board Member Emeritus, Carolyn continues to pray often for the continued blessings God so generously bestows on the Ministry. It makes her heart happy to see how the growth is spreading and what impact the Bible Institute ministry is having on all who attend. She has committed to continue to support WHMI on a monthly basis. Carolyn writes, "The most lasting gift I receive is the relationship with Board Members and the loving office staff."

Jim grew up in California and came to know Jesus as Savior in High School. Over the years, he has been actively involved in Bible and Baptist Churches.

Jim serves as Director of Philanthropy for Dosch Marshall Real Estate and more specifically is Director of 100X Harvest, Inc., whose mission it is to create a community of givers to support breakthrough kingdom projects with high impact.

Jim is actively involved in several local and global non-profits that support faith-based compassion initiatives (prison outreach, combating human trafficking, and disaster relief). He is also active in supporting causes that train and develop leaders for church planting, evangelism, and leadership mentoring. He and his wife, Holly, have traveled to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia on several projects supporting these causes. Jim and Holly were blessed to travel to Kenya with WHMI in 2019 and witnessed the community transformation resulting from the ministry. Jim is a graduate of The Master’s Program and serves as a Director for the Finishing Fund and on the Executive Board of CHARM Prison Ministry.

Jim spent 34 years with Conoco, Inc. and ConocoPhillips in various staff and management positions in California, Alaska, Texas, Montana, and Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Westmont College and completed studies at the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Jim and Holly live in Sugar Land, Texas, and have seven grown children and twenty grandchildren.

Russell Ginn grew up in Houston and his family was active in the church. At the age of 8 years, he confessed his sins and asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior and has been growing in his relationship with Him ever since. He has been an active believer in Baptist churches in the greater Houston area since then. Russell has spent the last fifty-three years in a varied business career, including twenty-five years in oil industry equipment and services, thirteen years in the valve industry, five years in the metal building industry, two years in mortgage banking and real estate development, and eight years practicing Public Accounting. Russell received a BBA from the University of Houston in 1967 and is a Certified Public Accountant and formerly a licensed real estate broker in the State of Texas. A long-time Trustee of the UBA, Russell also became involved with multi-denominational work and served for 18 years on the Board of Open Door Mission (serving as President of the Board about half that time). Since then, he has served on the Boards of The WorkFaith Connection, National Christian Foundation Houston, and Angel Flight South Central. He disciples a group of young married men from Houston NW Church, meeting once a week. Currently, he and his wife, Beverly, have 5 children, all married, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. All live in the Houston area except one son and wife (he is a pastor) in Bridge City, TX, one son and daughter-in-law and two grandkids in Austin, TX. They also have a daughter-in-law in the Houston area who is the Jr. High minister at St. Luke's Methodist. Russell believes that World Hope Bible Institute is an extremely cost-effective method of training and discipling pastors in countries where seminary training is either not available or beyond their ability to pay. Russell has taught for the Bible Institute numerous times since its inception.

Drew Howard grew up in the Klein area attending Trinity Lutheran School and Church. He graduated from Klein High School and then went on to attend Texas A&M University. He has a Masters of Arts in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He is a bariatric and general surgeon practicing in The Woodlands, Texas. Drew grew up in a strong Christian home but really began a real relationship with Jesus after time at a Young Life Camp in Colorado before his senior year of high school. He attends Faith Bible in The Woodlands where he remains actively involved.  He is a Board Member of The Woodlands Christian Academy. In addition to being a Board Member of World Hope Ministries International, he also has been an Instructor for the World Hope Bible Institute on many occasions.  Drew lives in The Woodlands with his wife and four kids.  He loves to coach his kids' sports, enjoy lake activities, teach, and enjoy Aggie sporting events.

Griff Jones graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1991 with a B.S in Finance.  Griff has spent the entirety of his career in the energy business dedicated primarily to the development of North American physical energy marketing and infrastructure businesses. Following graduation, Griff began his career in Houston and shortly thereafter married his college sweetheart, Mindi. His current job occupation is Co-Founder, CEO, and President of Twin Eagle Resource Management (Twin Eagle).

Griff and Mindi have resided in Northwest Houston for over 25 years and have raised two adult children: their daughter lives in New York City and their son is finishing college at Oklahoma State University.  

In April of 2018, Griff and Mindi established The Engraved Pencil Foundation with the hope of directing a significant amount of their income to Kingdom building partnerships, ministries, and education.

In addition to the Foundation, Griff and Mindi are very active in charitable organizations and serve on a number of boards including Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Rooted, Oklahoma State University Foundation board of trustees, and strong ties to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. Griff is also a past member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and now participates in the Houston YPO Gold Chapter. Griff and Mindi currently attend Ecclesia Church in downtown Houston.

Griff is excited to join the WHMI board and serve alongside others in expanding the Kingdom through WHMI’s mission.

Larry began life in Little Rock, AR, which explains his affection for the University of Arkansas sports. God blazed the trail for him to meet his wife, Penny, when his family moved to south Louisiana while he was in high school. Raised in a Christian home, Larry received Christ as his Savior while attending a local revival when he was 8 years old. Larry and Penny are active members of Houston Northwest Church where they serve as teachers, mentors, and small group hosts. They are proud parents of one son, twin daughters (peat and repeat) and one daughter-in-love. Professionally, Larry has worked in the Oil & Gas industry for 34+ years. He has held numerous leadership positions, believing strongly "no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." In his spare time, he loves to travel, read, exercise, and watch sporting events. Larry is proud to serve on the WHMI Board. He believes in the vision, mission, and purpose of WHMI and is committed to helping WHMI expand, educate, and edify the world with the truth of the Gospel.

David Lavine received a BA in 1976 from Temple University and Eisenhower College and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University in 1979. In 1981, he left New Jersey and moved to Houston to work in a machinery business started by his grandfather. David has spent the last forty-two years in a varied business career, as a principal dealing in industrial equipment/machine tools, in a national industrial auction firm, ten years in the Wealth Management arena, several years in public accounting, and now enjoys plying his skills and network in commercial real estate development. He has also served on a variety of non-profit Boards, including Angel Flight South Central as Chairman, President of his Rotary Club, and currently as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Career Gear Houston. In 2014, David confessed his sins and trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. David has been growing in his relationship with Him ever since. David became familiar with World Hope Ministries International during his transition of becoming a Christian and seeks to help spread the message of salvation now so crystal clear in his life. He is an active member and Deacon at Second Baptist Church. David and his wife, Elaine, have been married for 42 years and have been blessed with 2 boys and 4 grandchildren.

LaDonna Lesikar, CPA, has lived in the Houston area since 1988. She is married to Steve, a native Houstonian. She has been a committed Christian since she came forward to accept Jesus at age 9. LaDonna and Steve are currently active members of Wildwood United Methodist Church in Magnolia, TX.  She has held leadership roles within the church serving on the church council, finance committee, and mission team, as well as teaching small groups and Vacation Bible School.  Her community engagement also includes 10 years on the Board of a local food bank and assistance ministry in the Magnolia area. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she earned her degree in accounting. During her career, she has served as an accounting consultant for a variety of businesses as well as serving as a financial officer for a private Christian school. Most recently, she spent 10 years as the CFO of a local steel plate processing company.

LaDonna was introduced to World Hope Ministries International several years ago and was impressed with the cost-effective way they work to train pastors and ministry leaders, who are called to serve but have no access to formal training. LaDonna and Steve have a son and daughter-in-law, as well as a daughter, who is engaged. They are blessed with four grandchildren. LaDonna loves the outdoors and does quilting and machine embroidery for fun.

Jessica is the granddaughter of WHMI founder, George Harold Davis.  Jessica grew up in Austin, TX, where she attended the local Baptist Church with her family throughout her childhood.  Jessica came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the young age of five years old.  Jessica has continued to attend church throughout the years and has served in various ministry roles, including children’s and youth ministries.

Jessica has been involved with WHMI since she was a young child.  She fondly remembers spending many holidays with international guests in attendance and singing hymns together around the organ and piano.  Jessica has also had the opportunity to participate in many WHMI mission trips, including trips to South Africa, Kenya, and Guatemala.  Each mission trip served as a unique opportunity to see God working in various parts of the world and meeting the needs of different communities.

Jessica is excited to share in the WHMI vision to share Jesus with the World and to equip communities to become more sustainable, to share Jesus with those around them, to build local spiritual leaders, and to provide ongoing discipleship.

Jessica is an Attorney and has practiced in Houston, with the Energy Industry, for sixteen years.  She is currently Executive Counsel at Baker Hughes, where she leads the Sourcing Legal Center of Excellence.  Jessica is also a proud Texas Aggie and a graduate of South Texas College of Law.

Jessica is married to Lucas, who she met in law school, and who works as an Attorney in Houston as well.  They have two elementary school-aged children, one boy and one girl, and live in Cypress.

Tom grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ as his personal savior when he was 7 years old and, at the age of fourteen, he was baptized as an expression of his faith. Over the years he has served in many capacities in the local church including children’s Worship Leader, middle school and adult Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Elder.  Tom married his wife, Patti, in 1973.

In 1973, Tom received a BS in Construction Science from Texas A&M, followed by an MBA from the University of Texas in 1977.  Tom had a 46-year extensive career with Hines serving in a variety of operational roles in Houston, Austin, Cincinnati, San Francisco, and Boston.  His roles included Investment Fund Manager and Chief Risk Officer as well as member of the Executive and Investment Committees.  Tom has served with several non-profit organizations including Houston Habitat for Humanity (Chairman and Board Member) and College of Biblical Studies (Board Member).  Currently, he serves as Board Chairman of Star of Hope and is a Board Member of Every Village.

Tom has a hunger and a joy from sharing his faith in Jesus and the truth of His Word.  He recently began teaching for the WHMI Bible Institute in South Sudan, a place he has visited over 11 times.  He has also traveled to China three times to train house church leaders and to Central America five times with Living Water International.

Greg was raised in a Christian home where he gained a knowledge of Christ, the Trinity, and the Bible. He made a personal commitment to Christ, relying on His saving grace while in college. Since then, he has continued to grow in his faith as an active member at a variety of denominational Spirit-filled churches, including Methodist, Evangelical Free, Baptist, Bible, and Presbyterian. He has served in a variety of capacities in these churches and has also served on various non-profit ministry boards. In addition to his undergraduate degree in Finance, Greg also earned an MBA and a Law degree. His career has resulted in his family living in five cities in the United States. His career has included the private practice of law and has been a general counsel and executive officer in the grain industry, the waste industry, private equity, oil field services, and death care. He believes there is an exciting opportunity to scale the impact of WHMI to expand its impact in underserved parts of the world and is delighted to serve on the board of WHMI. Greg has been married to his wife, Jane, for over 40 years, and they have two children, both married, and five grandsons.

Laura Sorrell has lived in Houston since graduating from Baylor University. Her husband, Mark, is a native Houstonian and his family attended South Main Baptist Church for multiple generations. Laura has been a committed Christian since her profession of faith at age 9. Her faith community has been lifelong support no matter where her feet were planted. All of the Sorrell family for generations have loved our city and have been involved in international mission work. As a result, we recognize WHMI's vision, mission, and impact as vital to the growth and extension of the gospel. Theological education has profoundly shaped Laura's own faith and her interest in furthering the spread of a gospel message that is true to the scripture and encompasses the entire gospel message. Laura is approaching the 40-year mark in the executive search industry that includes time spent working for a major international search firm and serving as a principal of her own firm. Laura's clients include global, public, closely-held, high-growth, private equity, faith-based and nonprofit firms. Her assignments range from identifying organizational needs to succession planning for leadership teams and executive/board recruitment. Laura received her B.A. in English from Baylor University and Masters, Liberal Studies from Rice University. In addition, Laura has served in a variety of volunteer/nonprofit board roles within the faith-based community both domestically and globally.

Matt Wenaas grew up in Canada but has lived and worked in Houston, TX since 2007.  He was raised in a Christian home and came to know Jesus at an early age.  Matt has been an active and involved church member serving in various areas including preschool children ministry, helping lead a newlywed ministry for several years, and teaching and leading community groups.  Having been long-time supporters of WHMI and a firm believer in its mission, Matt traveled to Uganda with WHMI in 2019 and witnessed the incredible work that God is doing firsthand. Matt graduated from the University of Calgary, with a BComm in Finance.  His career began in the banking industry and he has spent the last 12 years in the natural gas industry with a focus on analytics, strategy and optimizing assets.  He and his wife, Ashley, have three young children and, when time allows, enjoy golf and scuba diving.