About the Christian Leaders for Africa
The mission of Christian Leaders for Africa (CLA) is to promote Christian higher education on the African continent and, in particular, to generate support for Africa International University (AIU).
CLA focuses primarily on raising funds and creating friends for AIU in order to partner with the school in equipping the next generation of Christian leaders for Africa. CLA raises this support by fostering mutually rewarding partnerships between individuals and churches in the United States and leaders and churches in Africa. Financial support goes to students, faculty, programs and facilities at AIU.
Donors to CLA have partnered with AIU in the following ways:
- Invested over $3.5 million in Christian higher education in Africa
- Facilitated AIU’s emergence as a fully accredited African university
- Fostered partnerships for US churches with African church leaders
- Provided student scholarships and faculty endowments
- Prayed for countless students, faculty and staff
- Provided much needed laptop computers, training and information technology support services
- Introduced AIU to numerous US seminary and college administrators, mission executives, business leaders and professionals
- Provided AIU with guidance and insights into their strategic development, structure and direction
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
CLA believes that Christian higher education is essential to meet the need for effective leadership in Africa and for that reason cultivates a fellowship of advocates in North America to partner with church and educational leaders in Africa.
Vision
The vision of CLA is for a healthy, biblically grounded Christian community in Africa with Godly, educated leaders who are transforming African societies by the power of the Gospel and leading the church worldwide.
Meet the Board
Renita Clarke
Renita Clarke is an internal medicine physician at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis specializing in infectious diseases. She has visited the AIU campus and returned with a strong interest in the PhD programs. Renita and her husband, Brian, a gastroenterologist, attend Faith Missionary Church in Indianapolis, a strong partner church of AIU.
Malcolm Gately
Malcolm Gately, along with his wife Marilyn, has been a long-time supporter of CLA. He is passionate about the CLA vision of “Africans training Africans in Africa” and has served on the CLA Board since 2021. Malcolm, Marilyn and their two daughters attend Grace Fishers Church in Fishers, Indiana. Malcolm works in the Information Technology field.
David Holst
David Holst is a retired healthcare executive residing in Indianapolis. He has made several trips to AIU, has been engaged with CLA since the mid 2002s, and believes AIU is a significant element in orthodox theological education in Africa. David currently serves as the CLA Board Chair. He and his wife Linda are members of College Park Church in Indianapolis.
Doug Long
Doug Long is a partner in the Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman law firm in Indianapolis. He and his wife, Lynnette, are active members at College Park Church in Indianapolis which has its own strategic partnership with AIU.
Mike McDonald
Mike McDonald is an information security consultant for Eli Lilly in Indianapolis and with his wife, Kathy, is an active member of Grace Community Church. He served on the 2010 IT mission team to AIU and built lasting relationships and a heart for serving the faculty and staff at AIU. Mike serves as treasurer for the CLA board.
Edgar Momoh
Edgar Momoh is originally from Sierra Leone but resides in the Hoosier state of Indiana with his wife Caroline, two daughters, and a son. Edgar & Caroline are 2006 alums of NEGST. Edgar briefly served on the Alumni & Partnership Development Desk at NEGST after graduation. He returned to Sierra Leone to work with the Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone before making Indianapolis their new home in 2011. Edgar currently serves at Zionsville Fellowship Church in Zionsville, Indiana.
Sandy Morad
Sandy Morad with her husband Steve, served as missionaries in Kenya for 47 years, mostly in Theological Education. Steve taught in the Masters Program at NEGST/AIU for 19 years while Sandy was involved in Administration. They are deeply committed to training Christian Leaders for the Church in Africa and are thankful to be able to continue supporting NEGST students and faculty through CLA.
Bob Whitmore
Bob Whitmore is a gastroenterologist in Indianapolis who decided to join CLA after he and his wife, Kathy, visited the AIU campus and witnessed the education of African Christian leaders for the church and for African societies. The Whitmores are members of College Park Church.
Meghan Wilson
Meghan Wilson is president and founder of a human resources information systems consulting firm called Future Focus. She lives in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and joined the CLA Board after a volunteer trip to the AIU campus where she helped teach computer skills to students and staff. She serves as the vice-chair of the board.
Meet the Staff
Jim Rogers
Jim Rogers is the president of CLA and chairman of Vision Business Products, a wholesale distributor of computer supplies with offices in the US and Canada. He is a member of Summit Church in Orlando, Florida, and a member of the AIU Governing Council and liaison to the CLA Board. Jim is married with two adult children and lives in Winter Park, Florida.
Peg Huffman
Peg Huffman is assistant treasurer for the CLA Board. She provides accounting services for various clients. She and her husband, Dave, live in Indianapolis and attend 91st Street Christian Church.
Luann Hostetler
Luann Hostetler is the administrative assistant for CLA. She also is the administrative assistant for a healthcare consulting company. Luann has two grown daughters and resides in Westfield, Indiana. She attends Trader’s Point Christian Church.
Meet our AIU Partner
Professor Dankit Nassiuma
Professor Dankit Nassiuma is vice chancellor of Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya. He joined AIU as the director of the Institute for the Study of African Realities in September 2012 to help with the transition of NEGST to full university status. On July 1, 2013, he was officially appointed the new vice chancellor. Professor Nassiuma came to AIU after serving for five years at Kabarak University, a purpose built, Christian based university near Nakuru, located about two hours west of Nairobi. Previously he was head of the doctoral program at Eggerton University in Nakuru and taught there for twenty-one years. Between these assignments, he worked for three years with the World Bank on studies related to solving problems of poverty for the president of Kenya. Professor Nassiuma and his wife have dedicated the last thirty-two years of their lives to mentoring college students on their Christian journey. They also serve as pastors of a church in Nakuru. Their six children range in age from fifteen to twenty-four.