Ben Manis
President
Ben has literally been with Reaching Souls from the beginning. In 1986 he accompanied Jimmy on the ministry's project to Nairobi, Kenya. Three years later he joined the ministry as a full time staff member. He has been on nearly every project this ministry has ever taken. In all, he has made 84 trips to Africa in the past 20 years.
Ben had gained a wealth of experience in the business world before coming to Reaching Souls. From 1975 to 1979 he owned a chain of retail electronics stores. In 1979 he left electronics for a successful career in oil and gas exploration. He stayed in the oil business until he felt the Lord call him to this ministry in 1989.
Ben has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. He became an ordained minister in 1989.
Ben and his wife Linda live in Newcastle, Oklahoma. Linda serves the ministry as Volunteer Coordinator helping to recruit the scores of volunteers needed each year to help with various projects.
They have two sons, Darin and Dustin. Darin and his family reside in Breckenridge, Colorado. Dustin serves with his father at Reaching Souls in the capacity of CEO. Ben and Linda also have six grandchildren.
Dustin K. Manis
Chief Executive Officer
Dustin began his Reaching Souls career in 1997. As Chief Executive Officer, Dustin gives direction to the formulation and leadership to the achievement of the ministry’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual objectives and goals.
Dustin also develops, manages, and guides development activities for Reaching Souls. Dustin believes Christian development can and should be ministry.
Through his experience with Reaching Souls, Dustin has been able to serve other ministries through development consulting and strategic planning facilitation. Before coming to Reaching Souls, Dustin had a career in sales where he consistently surpassed sales quotas and was fortunate enough to deliver substantial growth.
Dustin's education includes a B.A. in Organizational Communication from the University of Oklahoma and a M.A. in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. In 2003, Dustin was awarded the professional designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
Dustin and his wife Mischelle have four children.
“You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last.” John 15:16
Brent A. Parsons
Chief Operations Officer
Brent A. Parsons joined Reaching Souls International in 2009 after 14 years of local church ministry. Brent served as Minister of Mission & Evangelism at Southern Hills Baptist Church in OKC, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Sulphur, and most recently Pastor of First Baptist Church, Newcastle, OK.
Brent is a graduate of Westmoore High School, Oklahoma Baptist University (BA 1997), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity 2002), and is in the dissertation phase of his Doctorate of Ministry (Pastoral Leadership 2009).
Brent has been married to Keely since 1999 and they have two children Hunter & Hattie.
“They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand.” Romans 15:21
Robin L. Palesano
Chief Financial Officer
Robin began his ministry with Reaching Souls on June 2, 2008, serving as Director of Finance and Administration. In January of 2009 he became Chief Financial Officer (CFO). His responsibilities include the accounting and financial operations of the ministry in the home office in Oklahoma City. Robin has served on staff most recently as Minister of Administration at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City for the past seven years, and also served as Minister of Education/Administration for over nine years at First Baptist Church of Clinton, Oklahoma. Prior to his call to the ministry, Robin was involved in banking and public accounting.
Robin graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma in 1982 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting/Business Administration, and has been involved in accounting since 1980 working for a Public Accountant throughout his college career.
Since his call to the ministry in 1989, Robin has participated in several mission trips including Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela, Peru, and Cambodia. He has also served on the Budget Committee for the Capital Baptist Association, the YMCA Council, and director for Sooner Alcohol and Narcotics Education.
Robin lists his passion for the discipleship of Christians and his love for the lost in Africa among the most important callings from the Lord.
Robin and his wife Judy, a 5th Grade teacher in the Moore Public Schools, have a daughter, Jordan and a son, Ryan, and are currently members of Southern Hills Baptist Church, where he teaches a Sunday school class and serves as a Deacon.
Wayne Fagala
International Missions Director
Wayne Fagala joined the Reaching Souls International staff in December of 2007. His first mission trip was in 1989 to Kisumu, Kenya and he has been on 9 projects total, traveling to all 7 countries of Africa where Reaching Souls has an impact.
Wayne grew up in the panhandle of Oklahoma, graduated from Panhandle State University with a degree in Agronomy and Natural Science. He worked for many years for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission as a fuel inspector. Wayne has taught school, been a circuit preacher and most recently the Family Pastor at Western Hills Baptist Church. Wayne and his wife of 30 years, Kathy, have seven children.
As Wayne tells it, his occupations kept getting in the way of his mission trips, so he decided to make them one in the same. He is now the Director of International Missions for Reaching Souls and works where his call has always been.
Jim Falkenberg
Special Assistant to the President
In 2005, Jim Falkenberg accepted an invitation to join the staff of Reaching Souls International. Jim serves in a development role as Special Assistant to the President, representing Reaching Souls to individual donors, churches, foundations, and businesses.
Jim has invested 35 years in international missions, including 26 years with Bible Literature International (BLI), the last 20 as president. In that role he worked with over 400 mission organizations, partnering with thousands of missionaries and nationals by providing Bibles, Scripture portions, Gospel tracts, and other materials related to evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and church planting. Over those years Jim visited 78 countries, including nearly half of the nations of Africa. Jim has been involved with Reaching Souls International projects in Africa on 6 occasions: the first three in a partnership role while with BLI, the last three as an RSI staff member.
Jim and his wife Anne have two grown children, David and Shelly, and four grandchildren. Jim and Anne live in the Columbus, Ohio area.
Brad Adams
Associate Director of Development
With more than 25 years of experience in the health care industry, Brad provides valuable insight and perspective regarding the impact innovations can have on the lives of the people they affect.
He began his journey in the medical field having graduated with a college degree in Medical Technology and later applied his training at several hospitals and medical products organizations. He is also a registered MT with the American Society of Clinical Pathologist.
Outside of his professional endeavors Adams is avid outdoorsman and is active in variety of related functions with his wife and family. He is also involved in several faith-based organizations, including Gideons International, CBMC, and The Navigators, and has recently joined Reaching Souls International as an Associate Director of Development.
Brad’s true passion is to see lives changed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and has been involved in mission work since 2005 and doing work in Peru, Kenya and most recently, in Haiti. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Newcastle Oklahoma and serves as Chairman of the Deacons for 2011. Being a part of Reaching Souls is truly a gift from God and a great opportunity to be a part of a ministry that is making a huge impact on the Kingdom of God.
David Aduddell
Associate Director of Development
David is a native Oklahoman and the newest member of Reaching Souls International, joining the staff as an Associate Director of Development. He has been actively involved in several companies over the past 25 years since graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a business degree.
Over his career, he has been responsible for corporate and transactional financing, marketing and business development. Currently he is the owner of Bailey Wayne and Burke, an Insurance and Investment Company and is the co-founder of Aduddell Group Mortgage, LLC. Since early 2000 he has been the managing partner for Oklahoma Development Group and CEO of Hoyt Holdings, Inc., a Real Estate Holding Company. Prior to that, he was the Co-Founder and President of one the leading InterConnect voice & data companies in Oklahoma and Texas.
David is passionate about providing leadership to “for-profit and non-profit” organizations, while encouraging them to become actively involved in their local communities. David was recently honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the local chapter of the Huntington Society of America. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Edmond Economic Development Authority, the Jim Thorpe Executive Board and the University of Central Oklahoma Foundation. David has also served on the Board of Directors for: Hearts and Hands International, Reaching Souls International, the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, and Whitlock International.
David is happily married to the love of his life, Jana. David believes that any success that he has experienced in life, has to be contributed wholly to God and recognizes that our lives are made up of a series of successes and failures and that God chooses to use to form and shape our faith and our character and countenance. David and Jana are active in Vintage Church of Edmond and have two wonderful boys, Dillon and Daxxon.
Margaret Ann Morris
Associate Director of Development
Margaret Ann joined the Reaching Souls International staff in January 2012 as an associate director of development. She has had a successful career in professional fundraising for 14 years.
She worked the past nine years as the vice president for development at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Prior to that, she founded and was president of Enterprise Resource Group, a fundraising consulting firm.
Margaret Ann and her husband, Jerry, have two children and six grandchildren. They attend Crossings Community Church. They have also served as coordinators for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.
Glynis Crawford
US Director of Reaching Generations
Glynis joined the Reaching Souls International staff in August of 2008 as Director of Communications. In November of 2011, Glynis accepted the position of US Director of Reaching Generations (formerly known as Children in Need.)
Married to Jim since 1983, Glynis and Jim have 2 daughters, Andrea & husband, Bijay, and Adrian. They attend Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City where missional communities are the heartbeat of the church. Glynis attended the 2009 LDI in Mombasa, Kenya.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Pam Robertson
Event Planner
Pam joined Reaching Souls International in 1998. She has served Reaching Souls International in many areas of ministry. As Receptionist, she served 4 years as Missions Secretary and Assistant to Ben Manis. She has occupied the position of Event Planner since 2003. Pam began working part time in this position in 2010. She is responsible for planning the RSI Staff Retreat, annual Fundraising Banquet and Open House as well as functions outside the office.
Pam is married to Ted who served in the United States Air Force for 20 plus years. During which time they traveled to various locations before retiring and settling in Oklahoma City. Pam was involved in several organizations while serving as a military spouse.
Pam and Ted have two adult daughters. Sarah married to Steve, Anne married to Tanner. They have also been blessed with two grandchildren Colin and Tatum. All who reside in OK.
Pam and Ted are members of Lifechurch.tv.
Pam was blessed with the opportunity of being a team member to Arusha, Tanzania in 2006. What a thrill it was to meet many of the pastors that she had corresponded with as Missions Secretary.
Beverly Smith
Development Assistant
Beverly joined the staff of Reaching Souls in October of 1996. Her job as Development Assistant covers a wide range of responsibilities including database management, mailings, and letter editing. She also acts as a personal assistant to our CEO, Dustin Manis.
Beverly's family includes her husband, Terry, and her two children, Joshua and September and a granddaughter, Bailee. Beverly and Terry attend Spring Creek Assembly of God in Edmond, Oklahoma.
John McCloy
Missions Associate
John joined the staff in November 2010 coming to RSI from his family farm in Texas. He has participated in four projects with Reaching Souls, the first in Lilongwe, Malawi in 2008; Mombasa, Kenya in 2009; and Kitwe, Zambia and Arusha, Tanzania in 2010. John also served overseas in 2007 in Moscow, Russia to help with an English Camp. John interned with Reaching Souls in early 2010.
From the age of 11, John worked with his dad and two older brothers in the farming business – at the same time completing his primary education. Working on the farm taught John many valuable life lessons, among them being a strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and the ability to follow instruction. John's interests also include photography, audio equipment, and computer technology.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
Kayla Holley
Receptionist
Kayla joined the Reaching Souls International team in June 2011. Growing up attending Western Hills Church, Kayla heard many stories of the African trips and projects of Reaching Souls. From a very young age God has given her a passion and heart for overseas missions.
Kayla is currently going for her Associates degree in Early Development Education because she feels a strong calling to the hearts and lives of children. Coming from a large family herself with seven older brothers and sisters, to six younger adopted/ foster children, the mindset of love and mentorship is inevitable.
Kayla knows that God can and will use her where ever He deems fit and plans to serve at RSI with the attitude of “Loving the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and loving your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
Jimmy Hodges
Founder and President Emeritus
In 1986 Jimmy Hodges saw the fulfillment of his vision begin. Reaching Souls held its first ever overseas project in Nairobi, Kenya. Since that time he has seen the ministry grow to support over 200 native missionaries and train nearly 9,000 pastors in Africa and India.
Before founding Reaching Souls, Jimmy served the Lord as a musician and evangelist. He traveled the nation witnessing to thousands through his music and preaching. In 1972 he took his first trip to Africa where he worked on a project in Jinja, Uganda. He was impressed with how the Lord moved in the hearts of those who heard the Gospel, but his heart was heavy. While the hunger for God's Word was great, there was very little available to these new believers in the way of discipleship and training in how to grow as a Christian. Fourteen years later he led a team back to Africa with the goal of training faithful pastors who could preach the Gospel and disciple new believers in their home nations.
Jimmy earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1961. He was ordained to the ministry in 1969. He and Dee have been married over 40 years. They have 3 children and 1 grandchild