Updates & News
Missions Ministries News
The board of Missions Ministries is excited to announce the appointment of Chris Henshaw as Executive Director. Chris has been associated with the ministry for many years, most recently as Vice President, and virtually everyone who has traveled to Juarez or been involved with a Raising the Walls project will recognize Chris and his passion and energy for the ministry and the people of the colonias. Chris is looking forward to working with all of the supporters of Missions Ministries, past and present, to confront together the challenges to our continuing work with our brothers and sisters across the border. In addition, we are also excited about the arrival of several new board members and will be introducing them individually in the coming months.
"Before being named as Executive Director of Missions Ministries, I served as the Vice President for three years, managing all operations in the US and Mexico, and spent two years prior leading teams and projects in Mexico, and supporting the US operations when in the US. Having experience in the different types of service within the organization gives me a special insight into leading the ministry into the future. I know that God has great plans for the mission as He has spent years assembling a respected and competent staff in both the US and Mexico, and a great group of local professional volunteers that comprised the board of directors in the US.
Missions Ministries, with the help of many faithful and devoted volunteers have built more than 700 homes, 15 churches, 13 school buildings, 2 libraries and 2 clinics have been constructed, improving the standard of living and giving residents a sense of hope. Having participated in many of these builds myself, and many with my family, I know and feel the difference it makes in everyone that participates.
Graduating with a degree in Business from the University of Colorado, my first job was production planning at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space (LMMS) in Littleton, CO. This gave me great experience working with government, vendors, and manufacturing. While there I found a way to return to my passion of building. I had worked for a building and demolition company during college. After leaving LMMS I owned and operated a General Contracting business for several years, building custom and semi-custom homes in the Southwest Denver Metro area. This was certainly an environment of two languages and cultures, and began to stir my desire to serve as I realized the blessing God had been giving me and my family. By this time my Spanish wife, and kids, along with work, had influenced me enough to learn to read/write/speak Spanish. We went on our first mission trip with Missions Ministries in 1999.
So, what began as short-term mission trips with family, eventually led me to an opportunity to serve and bless brothers and sisters in Christ full time. My experience as a homebuilder, a planner, in production, ability to speak Spanish, and desire to use those skills to serve those less fortunate, led me to Missions Ministries. I feel honored and humbled to be able to serve in such a way."
We’re so excited to have Chris as the new Executive Director of Missions Ministries and continue to serve our brothers and sisters in Mexico under his leadership.
Jeff Varnell
President of the Board
Board of Directors
Missions Ministries