Engagement
with World Hope
International Will Continue
World Hope International (WHI)
celebrates the election of Dr. Lyon, founder
and CEO of WHI, to the position of General Superintendent
of the Wesleyan Church. Dr. Lyon will remain
the CEO of WHI until an Interim CEO is announced
on September 1, 2008. Thereafter she will continue
to be integrally involved as the Chair of the
Board of Directors for WHI.
WHI has long enjoyed a very
special relationship with the Wesleyan Church,
having partnered since its inception with the
church around the world. Dr. Lyon's election
to General Superintendent will allow her to
integrate her dedication and heart for the Wesleyan
Church, in which she enjoys a long history,
while continuing to extend hope and healing
to people around the world through the initiatives
of WHI.
"It is a great honor and
tremendous responsibility to be elected a General
Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church. I am
grateful that I will be able to continue providing
leadership to World Hope International as the
Board Chair. I also look forward to nurturing
its engagement with the church in all of the
places where it works to serve the poorest of
the poor," commented Dr. Lyon. "World
Hope International is thriving and growing with
God's blessing," she observed. "We
have a very strong leadership team and very
gifted program directors. I have worked with
David Erickson, Megan Nykyforchyn, Kirk Mitchell
and Leeann Little for years and have tremendous
confidence in their proven leadership capacity."
WHI has been preparing for
the possibility of Dr. Lyon's election. The
leadership team has been prayerfully and strategically
pursuing intentional hiring, organizational
capacity building, and deliberate program development.
Beginning in the fall, WHI will be guided by
an interim CEO who will serve until June 2009
when the board will appoint the organization's
second CEO.
Jo Anne Lyon founded WHI in
January 1996. Through God's blessing over the
last twelve years, WHI has experienced tremendous
growth and opportunity. The organization focuses
on holistic village-based HIV/AIDS initiatives,
prevention of human trafficking and care of
survivors, and the development of effective
microfinance institutions. These initiatives
are importantly complemented by WHI's Hope for
Children child sponsorships and Hope Corps volunteer
engagement programs along with other rural development,
well drilling, animal multiplication and educational
activities.
WHI is currently active
in 25 countries around the world. It has a staff
of 31 working at its headquarters in Alexandria,
VA, and employs over 350 staff around the world.
WHI implements its world-wide efforts primarily
through national leadership and staff in each
of the places where it works.
Further Information:
David M. Erickson (703) 973-6659
Leeann Little 703 475-3310
www.worldhope.org
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The path of life takes each
of us to undiscovered places. Like you, I have
been in the mountains, valleys and around the
curves of life. Yet, it is wonderful to know
that God directs our steps as we walk with him
and prepares us for each new task. Twelve years
ago together we all started World Hope International
with the vision to come alongside the forgotten,
hopeless and hungry of the world with the dignity
and hope that God desires for everyone. Because
of you, World Hope International has been able
to do the tasks set before us and the field
is even more open than ever before. Yesterday,
I sat in a Congressional caucus listening to
one of our survivors of trafficking from Sierra
Leone eloquently speak to the power of the work
we do. The attendees were deeply moved and one
member of Congress leaned over to me and said,
"It is the Faith Community that can make
this happen." I agree.
Last week my personal life took on a great challenge
within the faith community. I was elected General
Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church. This
does not change the status or purpose of World
Hope International in any way. The leadership
is in place and will continue the course. I
will be the Chair of the board of World Hope
International and will have very close connection
with the new leadership. In fact, I believe
my new position will strengthen both entities
as they pursue hope and healing for the 21st
century.
I look forward to our continued relationship.
Blessings,
Jo Anne Lyon
Founder
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