In January 2017, BIC U.S. World Missions welcomed Matt Lewis as interim regional administrator for Southern Africa. A former regional administrator for Europe and the Mediterranean, Matt also served for eight years on the Board for World Missions.
“Having an extensive background in World Missions, Matt has a thorough understanding of our vision and ministry,” said Jonathan Lloyd, director of BIC U.S. World Missions. “I have also personally experienced Matt’s passion for encouraging and coaching, and I am deeply grateful that he has accepted this significant position.”
A veteran ministry coach and church planter, Matt holds a doctorate in transformational ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary. There he taught discipleship, leadership, and self-care as an assistant professor of practical theology. In 2005, Matt created a spiritual disciplines inventory to help individuals, groups, and spiritual leaders reinvigorate their spiritual lives and ministries. He administers and facilitates this inventory through his company TruthSource. Matt also was the founding pastor of New Vision BIC, Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and supervised the congregation’s church-planting initiatives.
Of the interim regional administrator position, Matt said that he and his wife Lori “count it a privilege to serve BIC U.S. World Missions. We sense God’s pleasure when we can encourage and support Kingdom workers.”
Matt has assumed the regional administrator duties from Jake Shenk, who retired from his regional administrator duties early this year. Jake and Nancy first ministered in Zimbabwe through World Missions in 1958, and since have served in Zimbabwe in many capacities, including as a teacher, bishop, pastor, administrator, bookkeeper, and author, as well as treasurer of the Zimbabwean BIC Church. Jake and Nancy plan to continue their missions work in Zimbabwe, focusing their effort on supporting the Church in that nation. We are grateful for Jake and Nancy Shenk’s years of faithful service.