Rev. Philip Bouknight founded the Malawi Mission in 2003. In the summer of that year, he and his wife took a break from their mission work to serve as cultural liaisons for the international staff of Lutheridge Outdoor ministries. Among the participants were four Malawians. Throughout the summer, a close relationship formed and the national bishop was approached to consider a partnership within the Virginia Synod of the ELCA. Since then, numerous trips have been made; a formal covenant has been signed with St. Philip Lutheran Church in Roanoke and the mission continues to develop. Rev. Bouknight is the associate pastor of Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta, VA. His wife is Tara and they have three wonderful children; Anna Rose, Joshua, and Sara Elizabeth. Rev. Bouknight is the chair of the global mission committee for the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. On Christian unity and identity in Christ: "I am because we are." Kenyan Theologian: John Mbiti	Judy Brammer and husband, Paul, have been married for 40 years and have four wonderful children (all teachers!) and three perfect grandchildren. I am an itinerant preschool teacher for Roanoke County Schools. This requires me to case manage and provide special education services for 2-5 year old developmentally delayed children in their natural environment. This coming year will be my last year, and I hope the new found free time will allow me to become more involved in mission work. Rev. Philip Bouknight was the inspiration for my first interest in Malawi. He served as an intern at our church and because of his passion for global mission; he chose to plan a mission trip to Malawi as part of his seminary project. The Spirit called our youngest daughter, Elizabeth, and me to become part of the first group trip from Virginia in 2004. Our passion grew and I traveled again in 2006. It has been an amazing journey, one that has truly been life changing. I am currently serving on the Virginia Synod Global Mission Committee, and am active in Global Missions at my home church, St. Philip Lutheran, in Roanoke.
Evangelist Rita Childress became a part of the Malawi Missions Inc in 2006. Rita is no stranger to missions. She received her calling from God at the age of 17 and acquired a license to minister. Rita broke barriers being the first woman to be licensed to preach at the Greater Triumph Missionary Baptist Church. She has served in various capacities in the Church. She has over 20 years experience working with the youth and young adults department in the church. She received a Bachelors of Religious Arts and Theology, a Masters of Religious Arts in Christian Education, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Christian Psychology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Florida. In the 90’s, she traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti with the Full Gospel Missions Inc, in which she still supports, baptizing by day and preaching by night. She devoted all other times working in the orphanage. Rita is a certified Facilitator trained to teach Demand Flow Technology, Train the Trainer Module of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance as well as an Instructor for the American Red Cross teaching First Aid and CPR. She is currently a residential Foster Care Service Provider whom works with Wall Residence LLC in Floyd, Virginia. Rita is the mother of three children and has two beautiful granddaughters.	Jack Wall and his wife Kamala Bauers are owners of Wall Residences LLC a residential service provider organization supporting people with mental health and mental retardation disabilities. Wall Residences, LLC serves people throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and has a home office in Floyd County, Virginia. They are also the owners of Hotel Floyd a small hotel in Floyd Virginia. They are members of Zion Lutheran Church. Jack is a father of two adult sons, a step father to an adult son and daughter and a step grandfather to a one year old grandson. Jack recently traveled to Malawi, was inspired and now is the Chair Person of the Malawi Mission.
Luis Garcia and wife Heather have been married for 15 years and have three small children, Jadyn, Torreya and Taye. Luis is a website developer and marketing specialist that's driven to do Gods work. I first heard of the Malawi Mission during a church presentation given by Rev. Philip Bouknight. During this time, I was searching and praying that God would use the skills he gave me to do His work. In early 2007 I was approached by Jack Wall and given the opportunity to join a mission group that was going to Malawi that summer. After talking to my wife and with her blessing, I agreed to join the mission trip and get involved. I strongly feel God's call to do what I can to help this ministry. My primary goal was to redesign this website and to help in the marketing of our mission.	Rev. Kelly Derrick and her husband, David, serve as pastors at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Roanoke, VA.  David and I have three boys, Tyler, Drew, and Reece.  On a trip to the Dominican Republic in the fall of 2004, I visited a Haitian village on a sugar cane plantation and I witnessed the horrid living conditions of the people there.  I wept as I thought, “The world just shouldn’t be this way!”  Upon returning home I became even more passionate about social justice as an intricate part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am an active member of our congregation’s Global Missions team.
Christina White and her daughter Miah live in Floyd County. She has lived in Floyd County since 1984. Christina graduated from Floyd County High in 1995 and is currently attending college to receive her degree in Business Management. Christina and her family are members of Falling Branch Methodist Church in Floyd. She became aware of Malawi Mission when she was hired at Wall Residences in 2007. She has always been inspired to help anyone in need and hopes to pursue that mission with the work being done in Malawi.