About the Christian Leaders for Africa
Christian Leaders for Africa was formed in 2002 to support theological education in Africa. Since then it has supported the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology (BEST) (Francophone Africa); Calvary School, (Primary School) in Nairobi; and the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) now part of Africa International University (Anglophone Africa). As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, CLA is able to provide tax deductible contributions for African schools.
Many Protestant schools and seminaries in the US are closing for financial reasons. Tuition and fees alone are not sufficient to cover the costs of running the school. Many rely upon denominational support to keep the quality of education high. Others are blessed with historic endowments and or graduates and friends of the school to keep the doors open.
No theological school in Africa can survive on tuition and fees alone. Many have been supported by mission agencies and US and UK based denominations with operating and capital funds and faculty. Today even those denominational schools in Africa are struggling with reduced support from the West. Yet the church in Africa continues to grow. The Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) has some 90,000 member churches for which they estimate less than 10% of pastors have ANY theological training. While the middle class in Africa is growing, many African countries have nearly half of their population younger than 25. Families find it “better” to send their child to university to study law, engineering, or medicine, occupations that can support parents and grandparents a multi-generational family. Sons entering the Christian ministry are not likely to provide that kind of family ROI.
CLA exists to support high quality theologically sound education at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels in Africa. Graduates who then can go and impact their church, denomination, community, and continent with the truth of the gospel.
Will you join us in sustaining the African Church?
Meet the Board
Renita Clarke
Renita Clarke is an internal medicine physician at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis specializing in infectious diseases. She has visited the AIU campus and returned with a strong interest in the PhD programs. Renita and her husband, Brian, a gastroenterologist, attend Faith Missionary Church in Indianapolis, a strong partner church of AIU.
Malcolm Gately
Malcolm Gately, along with his wife Marilyn, has been a long-time supporter of CLA. He is passionate about the CLA vision of “Africans training Africans in Africa” and has served on the CLA Board since 2021. Malcolm, Marilyn and their two daughters attend Grace Fishers Church in Fishers, Indiana. Malcolm works in the Information Technology field.
David Holst
David Holst is a retired healthcare executive residing in Indianapolis. He has made several trips to AIU, has been engaged with CLA since the mid 2002s, and believes AIU is a significant element in orthodox theological education in Africa. David currently serves as the CLA Board Chair. David also serves on the Governing Council of AIU. David and his wife Linda live in the Indianapolis area.
Doug Long
Doug Long is a retired attorney who has served CLA since its incorporation. He has been a partner of a national healthcare legal firm and was General Counsel for a large hospital chain based in the mid-west. Doug is married to Lynette and they have three sons. Doug resides in the Indianapolis area.
Mike McDonald
Mike McDonald is an information services cyber security expect with an Indianapolis based multi-national construction hardware corporation. Mike is married to Kathy and they have two adult sons. Mike has made several trips to AIU and has assisted with the school’s IT development. Mike serves as Treasurer of CLA and he and Kathy reside in Indianapolis.
Edgar Momoh
Edgar Momoh is originally from Sierra Leone but resides in the Hoosier state of Indiana with his wife Caroline, two daughters, and a son. Edgar & Caroline are 2006 alums of NEGST. Edgar briefly served on the Alumni & Partnership Development Desk at NEGST after graduation. He returned to Sierra Leone to work with the Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone before making Indianapolis their new home in 2011. Edgar currently serves at Zionsville Fellowship Church in Zionsville, Indiana.
Bob Whitmore
Bob is a retired physician and has been on the CLA Board since 2018. He and his wife Kathy live in the Indianapolis area and Bob serves on the missions’ committee of his local church.
Meghan Roig
Meghan Roig is president and founder of a human resources information systems consulting firm called Future Focus. She lives in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and joined the CLA Board after a volunteer trip to the AIU campus where she helped teach computer skills to students and staff. She serves as the vice-chair of the board.
Meet the Staff
Peg Huffman
Peg Huffman is assistant treasurer for the CLA Board. She provides accounting services for various clients. She and her husband, Dave, live in Indianapolis and attend 91st Street Christian Church.