 Oletha Barnett - Oletha is an Attorney-Mediator, and also heads a 21-member peacemaking team at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas TX, where she serves as a Deaconess. Oletha and her team of mediators assist church members in biblically resolving conflicts that they have been unable to resolve. She is also CEO of Workplace Reconciliation Resources, whose mission is to partner with businesses to help them harness conflict in the workplace. She is a Certified Christian Conciliator™ and Certification Coach for the Institute for Christian Conciliation™ (a division of Peacemaker® Ministries). Oletha’s legal experience includes having served as a trial attorney for the former Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington DC and heading the Dallas Regional Legal Division of the Texas Department of Human Services. In addition to her J.D., she has a BS in Mathematics. Oletha loves learning and is a part-time student at Dallas Theological Seminary. She also enjoys teaching, analyzing thought-provoking issues, and taking quiet, meditative walks. |
 Tom Ellis - Tom is a native Texan who earned a BBA from Southern Methodist University in 1964. He is now a principal of McQueary Henry & Bowles, an insurance firm in Dallas that focuses on bonds and insurance for the construction industry. Tom is an elder at Northwest Bible Church. He and his wife, Ann Day, have two daughters and three grandchildren. They are passionate about small-group ministry and have traveled to Uzbekistan and Spain on missions trips. Tom also enjoys hunting and fishing, reading and photography. |
 Mark Joseph - Mark is President of Sentinel Wealth Management, Inc., a financial advisory firm in Reston, VA, that offers comprehensive wealth management services to high net worth families. Mark, who is a CPA and CFP, received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting from the University of Virginia. He is a frequent speaker, including national events like the Financial Planning Assoc. Conference. He has been quoted or published in various publications, such as the Wall Street Journal and Money magazine. He and his wife, Karen, and their three school-aged children are active members of Reston Bible Church. Within his church, Mark has led a shepherd group and Bible studies, and teaches frequently. He has a passion for God’s Word and a particular passion for biblical stewardship, a topic that he loves to speak on. He has served as the board chair of a local pregnancy center and of Care Net, a national organization of pregnancy centers. In his free time Mark enjoys spending time with his family, running, and doing home improvement projects. |
 Julius J. Kim - A native of South Korea and California, Julius is the Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California; he is also Associate Pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido. In addition, Julius continues to serve the broader Christian community as a preacher, speaker, and ministry consultant—especially for the Korean-American church. Prior to taking his current position at Westminster Seminary California, he taught undergrad communications at Trinity International University in Illinois and church history at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and was a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University and Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology (Seoul, South Korea). His goals are to contribute to both the church and the academy through his teaching, preaching, and writing. Julius and his wife, Ji Hee, a Westminster Seminary California Graduate, reside in Escondido with their two daughters. When not spending time outdoors with his family, he loves playing golf.
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 Dr. Manfred W. Kohl - Dr. Kohl was born in Germany during the Second World War, and was educated in Germany, England, and the US. He earned Master's degrees in Divinity and Theology, and doctorates in Historical Theology and Ministry. After serving as a pastor in Massachusetts, he had various leadership positions at World Vision, serving as field director in West Africa, establishing support offices throughout central Europe, and completing service as a VP of World Vision Int'l. From 1993 Manfred served as a VP of Overseas Council, an organization that partners with more than 100 theological seminaries and Bible colleges in the non-Western world, equipping indigenous Christian leaders. He now serves as Ambassador for the organization. He still does extensive traveling, speaking, and writing. His wife, Barbara, is a native of Nova Scotia, where they now live. They have two married sons, one in the U.S. and the other in Japan, and six grandchildren. Manfred enjoys watching sports, reading, and carpentry. |
 Tom Newton - Tom is Senior Partner of Newton Oldacre McDonald, a commercial real estate development firm with offices in Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. He attended Samford University in Birmingham, where he studied biology. He and his wife, Kay, attend First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Prattville, AL where he is an elder and teaches adult Sunday school. They have a daughter, two sons, and a grandson. When Tom has any free time, he enjoys relaxing with Kay at their lake cottage, snow skiing, and reading. |
 Karen Strong - Karen is Chair of the Board of Directors of Peacemaker Ministries. Karen spent more than 20 years serving PFM (Prison Fellowship and BreakPoint)—most recently as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. She holds degrees from Seattle Pacific University, Oxford University, and Drew University, and is co-author of a book, Restoring Justice. Since 1986, Karen has lived in the Washington DC area with her husband, Greg. Their daughter, Kate, is a student at Gordon College and an accomplished poet. Karen and Greg attend The Falls Church (Anglican). They share a love of reading, book-collecting, music, art, astronomy, soccer, and peacemaking.
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Advisory Life Directors
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 Rev. Alfred Poirier - Alfred served on the Board for 16 years and was Chairman for 11 years, until 2009. He is the author of The Peacemaking Pastor (Baker Books, 2006). When Alfred resigned, the Board gave him the position of Advisory Life Director.
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 Jim Soft - Jim served on the Peacemaker Ministries Board for 23 years, and was Secretary of the Board for most of that time. In 2009, when Jim went off the Board, he was given the position of Advisory Life Director.
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Director Emeritus
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 Don Bubna - After 14 years of Board service, Don was elected Director Emeritus in 2011 and went home to be with Jesus several months later. Don loved mentoring and peacemaking and had enormous impact in both areas. He was also a pastor, most recently serving as Pastor-at-Large in the Christian & Missionary Alliance, providing consultation, leadership development and vision-casting to over 100 churches. He is profoundly missed.
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