Meet Our Team

I have been involved with youth ministry for about 20 years, and had always felt a pull towards missions work.  As a career businessman, I try to leverage the skills gained in the workforce to make a meaningful impact on the children and community in Uganda.  A partner and I launched a vocational school in Uganda in 2008 to train students in metal fabrication and improve their prospects for meaningful employment.  While on a trip to Uganda, my friend Denis Ndyabawe brought me to meet Pastor Lazarus and the children of His Grace Community (HisCom).  The needs of this community and the heart Pastor Lazarus had for the children under his care immediately drew me into this ministry.

• Co-Founder Network Solutions, Inc. 1989 – IT Networking and Cyber Security firm
  • Account Manager/Design Engineer 1989-1997
  • Account Manager 1997-2000
  • Vice President of Sales 2000-2004
  • Launched new territory and branch office in Chicago 2004
  • Senior Account Manager 2004-Present
• Co-Founder AfriKart 2008 – Vocational School and Economic Development Project in Uganda
  • CEO 2008- 2016
• WolrdHope.US
  • Vice President of Board 2012-2019
  • President of Board 2019-Current
• Experience in lay Ministry
  • Youth Ministry – 1994-2014
  • Prison Ministry – 2014-present
  • Church Board/Council 2013-2014
  • Bible Study Fellowship International Student and Group Leader 1994-present
• Married since 1991 to Tuula with 2 adult children (Hanna and Alex)
• Have held many certifications in the IT field in the disciplines of sales, engineering and management
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with double major in Marketing and Psychology from Valparaiso University

Bill is the President of the WorldHope.US Board Of Directors.  Email him at bill@worldhope.us

Since a young child, I wanted to be a nurse; however not just any kind of nurse.  I wanted to be a missionary nurse in Africa.  My dream has finally come true – I knew it would.  Volunteering with WorldHope.us and the wonderful team at the HisCom Orphanage & School in Burora, Uganda has been an amazing blessing.  What love, passion and devotion each one has for God’s children. Utilizing my skills as a Registered Nurse, I provide guidance to the staff and leaders at the orphanage to help diminish the spread of disease and improve the health of the staff and children.  There are many challenges in this part of the world and I am blessed with the opportunity to provide HOPE to these beautiful children.

~Janis

• Professional Career
  • College of DuPage, Certified Nursing Assistant Instructor, 1992-2002
  • Developed from ground level Providence Life Services Educational Institute, educating 1,500 employees in all levels of care, 2002-2005
  • Mather Lifeways Research Institute, National educator and speaker, Evanston, IL 2005-2010
  • Fairview Baptist Senior Living, Wellness Nurse, 2010-2015
  • China Senior Care, educator and curriculum development, Republic of China, 2009-2015
  • Aspire Consulting, Develops and implements training curriculum on Dementia & related diseases, 2015-present
• Personal Life
  • My husband, Don and I have been married for forty-seven years.  We have three wonderful children, three special in-laws, and six precious grand-children.  We live in suburban Chicago and attend Lombard Christian Reformed Church.
  • I spend most Monday evenings volunteering at the Cook County Temporary Juvenile Detention center sharing the Gospel with an amazing group of teenage boys. 2o13-present
  • We, as a family, love spending many weekends enjoying nature in the woods!

Janis is the Secretary of the WorldHope.US Board Of Directors.  Email her at janis@worldhope.us

My involvement with World Hope.US stems from my passion to see young men and women know the love of Jesus Christ.  God’s children must become what He intended them to be so that they will impact the world around them by advancing the Gospel.  Walking alongside these young people, encouraging and providing direction and leadership has always been my love.

My motto is “Love People and Hate Lies”

• Education
  • First Class degree with honors in Mass Communication
  • Diploma in Accounting
• Professional Life
  • Navigators – an international, non-denominational Christian organization overseeing several countries in Africa where the ministry is still young
  • Uganda Christian University – Assistant Chaplain
  • Centre for Basic Research – Accounts Assistant
  • Scripture Union – Accounts Assistant
  • Dynamik Safaris LTD – business owner, tour guide
• Personal Life
  • Delightfully sandwiched between three older sisters and four younger brothers
  • Married for 28 years to my wonderful wife who is a CPA.  We have a delightful son who is 9

Denis is on the Board of Directors for Worldhope.us and is their “Feet on the Ground.” Email him at denis@worldhope.us

Many of the best things in life come from saying “yes”.  I came to working with orphans in Africa through my meeting friend at church one day, Ben Tumuhierwe.  Ben and I met weekly for several months before saying “yes” to helping the needs of orphans in his home country, Uganda.  That simple one word statement led to an amazing journey that changed the lives of thousands of orphans.  It also changed my life!  As they say in Uganda: “God is good” and they respond “All the time.”

~Pat

• Co-Founder and CTO of RedWave Energy, Inc (2012 – present) – Harvests waste heat in industrial processes through nano antennas and high speed diodes.
• Founded Apropos Technology (1990 – 2000) – Advanced integrated call center solutions software company
• MTS at Bell Laboratories (1980 – 1990)
• Co-Founder and Chairman of Juna Amagara Ministries (2004 – 2010) – Organization to address the needs of orphan children in Uganda
• Co-Founded AfriKart (2008) – Vocational School and Economic Development Project in Uganda
• Board Member of Partners in Mission (2009 – 2014)
• Board Member of WorldHope.US (2019 – present)
• BS Astronomy University of Illinois in Champaign
• MSEE Northwestern University

Nyesigomuhangi, Prisca
Administrator of Worldhope.us School and Orphanage in Uganda

Being raised in Uganda by loving Christian parents and the youngest of seven children, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of God and family.  It was in my teen years that I was so fortunate to be exposed to different groups of people that led me to obtain a college degree in Social Work.

My degree, along with my passion for Christ, has equipped me to provide comprehensive counseling and support t vulnerable children, orphans, the poor and the sick.  Helping children to be physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually healthy is my goal.

I love reading the Bible, music, composing songs, watching movies and meeting people from different cultures.  I love praying with children and teaching them what they need to know for this life.  Being at peace with those around me is very important and feel that I am very perceptive in evaluating different situations.

I hate lies, injustice, pretense, and hatred among God’s people.

Education:
 2017- 2019 Bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration from
Uganda Christian University (Bishop Barham University)
 2015-2017 was awarded a diploma & in 2015 a certificate from Kabale University
 2014 – Certificate in ministry and leadership from Amagara Bible Institute
 2012-2013 Head person of Kisanji High School. Prepared reports related to
student conduct, academic progress, and school operations.
 2011 – Chairperson Scripture Union. Conducted Bible study in schools and
trained students on how to lead Bible study groups. Strengthened relationship
between the school and the community around through fellowships. Created
relationship with different schools through conferences and Christian gatherings.

Don Engelsman
Bookkeeper

Don has had a long career in the non-for-profit Senior Living Industry which serves the older adult. His last community, Park Place Christian Community of Elmhurst, serves over 350 residents and 200 employees. As Executive Director, Don has always considered his work within the non-profit community a calling and has enjoyed dedicating his life to helping others in need. Although, most of his life has been dedicated to senior adults, he looks forward to using his retirement hours helping vulnerable children.

Don has also served on a number of nonprofit Christian Mission boards including Timothy Christian Schools, Providence Life Services, The Reformed Church of America and as Elder in his local church.  He lives in the Chicago area with his wife and enjoys spending time with his three children, their spouses and seven grandchildren. But he’ll never turn down a round of golf!

Brad Creighton
Sponsorship Coordinator

Romans 12:9 tells us “Don’t just pretend to love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong, hold tightly to what is good.” Throughout my life, I strive to truly love others by reflecting the amazing love the Father has given to us.  Living for this goal has truly led me to follow God’s call to serve others.  I have been involved in youth ministry now for almost 20 years, and have always had a passion for working with youth.  Currently my wife, three kids and I live in Wisconsin, where I work for an organization that helps people find a volunteer fit with non-profit agencies.  Outside of work, my hobbies include board games, geocaching, watching and playing sports – even if I am not very good at them, and spending time as a family.

Bill Serrano

Website Administrator

Bill has been volunteering with WorldHope.us for a little over a year.  He works in the recycling industry and is happy to be able to help the organization with the website.  He is involved with the worship team at his church, has served on various committees and served as an elder.  He lives outside of Chicago with his wife and enjoys creating music, hiking and and various outdoor activities.