Stephen Meyer, President & Founder
In 2005, we had just started to adjust after adopting our children from Russia at age 4 and 6 when Dr. Bruce Wilkinson came to our church, and asked people to stand and commit to going to South Africa to plant vegetable gardens. I knew I was being called, but we had no money for me to go, and asking Rebecca to handle the children alone seemed out of the question so I called a pastor at my church to seek council. He called the next day to inform me that an anonymous person wanted to sponsor a videographer to document the trip, and believed I was being called to go. I owned a small production company, and Rebecca also confirmed she had heard from God that indeed I was supposed to go. It was on that trip that trip that I met Charmain the founder of El Shaddai Ministries (ESM) and the entire experience was spiritually life changing. I saw God do things I had never seen before due to the people's dependency on Him, and I saw true Joy in the midst of poverty.
In 2007, I went ESM to video document a teen performing arts group’s trip, and I met June and Sandy. In 2010, I returned with a group of students from a Christian school I was teaching at, and that is when I received a call from God to establish a non-profit to provide educational support for academic achievers at ESM.
There were many personal challenges we faced over the last 14 years including a relocation to Colorado that limited our ability to do more, but we knew God’s plans are perfect and we persevered. In the past year, I reunited with June and Sandy to address the daily operational expenses at ESM since we had all become aware of their reduced funding. After many discussions it became obvious it was God’s time for us to expand the charter of El Shaddai Paths to Leadership and build the organization to secure them financially. We also plan to return in 2025 to perform repairs on the facility.
Rebecca and I have been married for 35 years, our son Sergey is 25 and daughter Alina is 23.
Rebecca Meyer, Secretary & Founder
I grew up on my family's farm in upstate New York and graduated from Cornell University. In my early twenties I moved to San Diego and embarked on a long career in corporate sales, management and administration. It was there that I met Stephen, and we were married a year later in a small family wedding in Hawaii in February 1989. I was the seventh child in a family of eight and always wanted to have children. After years of infertility Stephen and I adopted Sergey and Alina in 2004 from Murmansk, Russia. This process brought me face to face with the challenges orphans face and was excited to join my husband in support of this amazing ministry. I am currently working as an Executive Assistant to the President of The Navigators and serve on the Board of Springs Community Church as a Deacon. I have been active in a variety of ministries throughout my life including pre-marital counseling and serving as a coordinator for a single mom’s ministry.
Sandy Mune, Liaison to ESM & Donor Relations
Hi, my name is Sandy Mune. I've been married to my husband Chuck for 33 years. We have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. My first trip to El Shaddai was over 17 years ago with my daughters that were 11 and 14 at the time. we all including my husband went on many trips following that first trip that got a hold of our hearts. To say that we were changed would be an understatement. The people of Swaziland or now known as Eswatini are the most precious people you will ever meet. I'm excited to be a part of this board in hopes to better the lives of the people that call El Shaddai home.
June Childress, Treasurer & Financial Coordinator
I have had the privilege of visiting El Shaddai several times; 2007, 2009, and 2016. From the first moment I stepped onto the grounds, I was in love. I fell in love with the Swazi people, the mountain top where El Shaddai sits, and most especially the children. Their bright smiles and beautiful spirits shone through, despite their difficult starts in life, and I was inspired beyond belief.
It has been 17 years since I first visited El Shaddai, but my desire to be involved and to help make a difference has not waivered. It is my belief that every child, no matter where they were born, has the right to feel safe and to feel loved. They should have an opportunity to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. And every child should be given the chance to reach their full potential. It has been an honor and a blessing to be a part of what God is doing at El Shaddai, and am excited to see what lies ahead.
Laurie Meyer, Consultant & Founder
My life is deeply rooted in my faith and passion for people. I founded the Ladies Luncheon in Ventura in 2009, initially as a networking group that has evolved into a supportive community focused on love and connection among women. Over the years, this community has weathered various challenges and successes together, fostering empowerment and self-love. Apart from my work with the Ladies Luncheon and being a successful Real Estate Broker, I am dedicated to my family, including my three children, two grandchildren, and elderly mother. I emphasize teaching my family to follow Christ and serve others, embodying the principles of love and compassion in daily life. In 2005, I was introduced to the ministry at El Shaddai by my brother, a calling I see clearly as coming from God. This program extends my family's love to Africa, following the biblical directive of James 1:27 to support children without parents and widowed women. I invite others to help in supporting this program, emphasizing that love, as the sum of my life's philosophy, guides my actions. My life is a focused on my commitment to empowering others through love, inspired by my faith and guided by my belief to serve God's in the restoration of all things.