Our Team
Faith Woods
Executive Director
Faith as the daughter of MPI founders, Ron and Heather Garrison has been a member of MPI’s team since 1998. Faith gained extensive experience in Christian missions and international aid by traveling and ministering overseas, leading multiple Mission Teams. In 2016, Faith started working with MPI in an expanded role, working as Leader-in-Training. In June 2018, she was named Executive Director. Faith takes the role of Executive Director seriously, setting vision and direction, and managing all written and online communication. Faith also works hard to forge new relationships and partnerships all while caring for the supporters who are part of the MPIConnect family.
Andrei Shander
Relationship Manager
Andrei has been part of MPI’s team since 1999, serving as our Overseas Ministry Co-ordinator. As his responsibilities grew over time, it became clear that he was needed in Canada. In 2016, Andrei and his family immigrated to London, Ontario. Andrei’s role is multi-faceted and involves working with churches, both in Canada and the the US, as well as daily maintaining a good working relationship with our overseas partners. He is also responsible for managing Mission Teams.
Allen Garrison
Administration & Technology
Allen is the son of MPI founders, Ron and Heather Garrison. He first joined MPI in 1998 to help organize and manage the Humanitarian Aid Ministry. Helping MPI on and off over the years, he has been working full-time for the ministry since 2009. Today, Allen is MPI's administrator and is responsible for our daily bookkeeping. Allen also manages our technology infrastructure and is our primary photographer/videographer.
Our Board
Robert O'Hara
Board Member
Bob O’Hara is a pharmacist and local businessman in London. He joined MPI’s Board of Directors in November 2010 to lend his experience in leadership and faith to MPI. His counsel in business and financial matters is invaluable and he has always proven to have wise, Godly advice. Bob and his wife, Sue, live in Komoka, Ontario and are deeply connected with their local church and community.
Lois Wood
Board Member
Lois Wood is a mother, wife and care-giver who joined MPI’s Board of Directors in January 2014. She regularly draws on her experiences attending Bible School and being a Pastor’s wife to help MPI’s ministry. The wisdom she has gained from pastoral and women’s ministry continues to help guide MPI into the future. Lois lives in London, Ontario.
Sonya Buck
Board Member
Sonya Buck and her late husband spent many years supporting MPI's ministry. For decades, the Bucks were business owners in the agriculture and food industry. Sonya's wisdom, business experience and practicality are tremendous assets to MPI. Sonya is now retired and spends her time as a mother and grandmother. She is also a leader in her local church. Sonya lives in Ilderton, Ontario.
Walter Rayo
Board Member
Rev Walter Rayo first met Ron and Heather Garrison when they were pastoring in London, Ontario. Walter, who immigrated from Nicaragua with his family was the pastor of a Spanish speaking congregation that met in the church that Ron was pastoring in London, Ontario. Walter continues to pastor the Spanish congregation “Discipulos de Cristo Intercacional” in London. He has been serving on Mission Partners Board of Directors since 2017.
Laura Young
Board Member
Laura Young is the newest member of MPI's Board of Directors. Laura traveled on a mission team with MPI when she was a teen. Now Laura is the mother of two beautiful boys. She and her husband Doug work very hard in ministry at their local church, RoyalView Pentecostal in London, ON. Laura has a deep heart for missions and has asked God for some time to open doors for her to be involved in missions in a more meaningful impactful way. We are very excited to have Laura as a part of our team.