Mark & Cathy Lessig
Education and Child Sponsorship Advancement
Cathy’s involvement with ELI began with the formation of the ministry in 1994. She enjoyed being a ‘hands on’ board member, taking trips to East Africa each summer. Using her skills as an educator, Cathy assisted teachers in various African countries. She helped design programs that met the needs of impoverished children, allowing them to study in a Christ-filled atmosphere. Realizing summer involvement wasn’t enough, she moved to Tanzania in 2003 to initiate ministry for children and children’s workers in the Mwanza area. Relocating to Kenya in 2007, Cathy served as regional coordinator for International Childcare Ministries in Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, and Tanzania, helping schools and churches to reach children for Jesus.Mark has had a heart for missions for more than 25 years, serving in Mexico, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Malaysia, and Thailand. After teaching Sunday School for twenty five years and in a public high school for ten years, Mark is now following God’s call to East Africa, combining his passion for missions and education.
Married in 2008, we are excited to now serve together with ELI. Mark’s ministry focuses upon establishing a new Christian secondary school in Kipkaren, Kenya while Cathy will facilitate aspects of ELI’s Child Sponsorship Program and assist with children’s ministry. Together we are developing and implementing a teacher-training program and acting as a link between ELI’s schools in Kenya, Sudan, and D.R. Congo. Working alongside national educators, we seek to give spiritual and intellectual purpose to the next generation.