The Mentor Leaders Board & Team
Founder & President
David Whetstone
David Whetstone, Founder and President of Mentor Leaders, at a very young age found his strength in the area of entrepreneurship. While also having a soft heart for the helpless and needy both in the United States and around the world, combined with a strong family background in missions, David has taken his strengths and passions for the broken to form Mentor Leaders in 2007. He earned a master’s degree in Christian counseling and a doctorate in philosophy and clinical crisis counseling from Cornerstone University, and with vision and leadership has ushered Mentor Leaders into a high functioning humanitarian organization. His ultimate goal in life is to bring love to the hurting and help to the needy by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wayne Creel
As Chairman of the Board for Mentor Leaders, he’s been on mission since 2011, getting to be on the front line of seeing aid, restoration, and sustainability to unreached areas of Haiti, El Salvador, and West Africa. Having four sons, he and his wife tend to fill our spare time with trying to keep up with all the adventures the boys are getting themselves into, all while being inspired by the idea that a single act of sharing the love of Jesus can have quite the impact both locally and abroad. Besides being a husband and a father of 4, he owns and operates a business that installs architectural metal wall panels and façades. When he does get a little free time, I can be found at our local high school or middle school picking up an afternoon substitute teaching gig or helping drive an activity bus. His hero? Probably the person who invented the coffee maker, because we’re pretty sure coffee will be the main drink of choice in Heaven!
The Mentor Leaders Board
Finny Mathews
Finny Mathews
A seasoned leader with over 40 years of experience spanning manufacturing, investment banking, global business development, product innovation, and nonprofit leadership, Finny has also been successful for over 2 decades in the private sector. He founded the prolific FARRR Foundation Inc, DBA The Lighthouse (a non-profit organization dedicated to holistic community transformation). A kindred spirit to Mentor Leaders, The Lighthouse helps in affordable housing and therapeutic communities, supported by comprehensive wraparound supportive services. Having traveled to over 56 countries, Finny is currently actively mentoring and training others, equipping future leaders with the tools and vision needed to drive sustainable impact on local global scales.
Rod Bell
Rod Bell
Senior Pastor of Genesis Church, Principal of Genesis Academy and Preschool, and a steadfast partner of Mentor Leaders, Rod leads with a heart full of compassion and a vision rooted in Christ’s teachings. Under his leadership, the academy has become a place where children not only receive an education but also experience the transformative love of God. Pastor Bell’s partnership with Mentor Leaders has strengthened the mission to build sustainable communities, as together, we work to empower the next generation to live out their faith in practical, impactful ways. Pastor Bell’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and souls reflects the very essence of Christ's ministry.
Ryan Wray
Ryan Wray
As Chairman of the Board for Mentor Leaders, he’s been on mission since 2011, getting to be on the front line of seeing aid, restoration, and sustainability to unreached areas of Haiti, El Salvador, and West Africa. Having four sons, he and his wife tend to fill our spare time with trying to keep up with all the adventures the boys are getting themselves into, all while being inspired by the idea that a single act of sharing the love of Jesus can have quite the impact both locally and abroad. Besides being a husband and a father of 4, he owns and operates a business that installs architectural metal wall panels and façades. When he does get a little free time, I can be found at our local high school or middle school picking up an afternoon substitute teaching gig or helping drive an activity bus. His hero? Probably the person who invented the coffee maker, because we’re pretty sure coffee will be the main drink of choice in Heaven!
Kenny Stewart
A performance-focused leader with 30+ years of experience supporting global technology and product innovation for companies like Nike, JC Penny, Hareley Davidson, and Wrangler, Kenny has experience leading cross-functional design, sourcing, production, processing facilities, product safety, and environmental compliance teams. Kenny is a certified Scrum master–from his workflow and process efficiency skills to being a seasoned leader with the ability to build strong relationships, Kenny brings a plethora of experience and track record of leading companies toward success while maximizing the efforts of everyone on his team; he’s a humble, honest, thoughtful, creative problem-solver.
Global Office Team
Janna Knight
Janna Knight
A faithful wife to Anthony for 36 years and with two accomplished, grown children, Janna is a powerhouse administrator who has spent over three decades managing Human Resources and payroll in both secular and Christian organizations. Together with her husband, Anthony, they have served in youth ministry as long as they’ve been married, including many years working in Christian schools and supporting youth in their local church. Their passion has always been to empower the next generation to do great things for God, with a deep love for missions at the heart of this vital, effective work.
J. Anthony Knight
J. Anthony Knight
Anthony has dedicated over 32 years to Christian education, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership, curriculum development, and school improvement. He holds both a Master’s and Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and has served as an accreditation team leader for numerous institutions. Mr. Knight also contributed significantly to advancing educational standards as a Commissioner for ACSI Accreditation in the Southeastern United States. His commitment to excellence and faith-based learning has made a lasting impact on the schools and communities he has served.
Daniel Van Wieren
Daniel Van Wieren
Daniel is no stranger to the incalculable worth of ministering to the needs of disadvantaged children to experience the transformative power of the love and provisions of God since he’s been rooted in local Church children’s ministry for over two decades. He lived as a volunteer English teacher in Guatemala’s highlands in an orphanage, and has joined other missions trips in service of the long-term goal of local children’s aid becoming a full, restorative experience of how the Gospel lived out can rescue anyone and forge leaders. A slight extrovert who enjoys chances to share the faith outside of the walls of the church, he may be found at his climbing gym or listening to a book.
Mentor Leaders Board
Rod Bell
Senior Pastor of Genesis Church, Principal of Genesis Academy and Preschool, and a steadfast partner of Mentor Leaders, Rod leads with a heart full of compassion and a vision rooted in Christ’s teachings. Under his leadership, the academy has become a place where children not only receive an education but also experience the transformative love of God. Pastor Bell’s partnership with Mentor Leaders has strengthened the mission to build sustainable communities, as together, we work to empower the next generation to live out their faith in practical, impactful ways. Pastor Bell’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and souls reflects the very essence of Christ's ministry.
Ryan Wray
As Chairman of the Board for Mentor Leaders, he’s been on mission since 2011, getting to be on the front line of seeing aid, restoration, and sustainability to unreached areas of Haiti, El Salvador, and West Africa. Having four sons, he and his wife tend to fill our spare time with trying to keep up with all the adventures the boys are getting themselves into, all while being inspired by the idea that a single act of sharing the love of Jesus can have quite the impact both locally and abroad. Besides being a husband and a father of 4, he owns and operates a business that installs architectural metal wall panels and façades. When he does get a little free time, I can be found at our local high school or middle school picking up an afternoon substitute teaching gig or helping drive an activity bus. His hero? Probably the person who invented the coffee maker, because we’re pretty sure coffee will be the main drink of choice in Heaven!
Finny Mathews
A seasoned leader with over 40 years of experience spanning manufacturing, investment banking, global business development, product innovation, and nonprofit leadership, Finny has also been successful for over 2 decades in the private sector. He founded the prolific FARRR Foundation Inc, DBA The Lighthouse (a non-profit organization dedicated to holistic community transformation). A kindred spirit to Mentor Leaders, The Lighthouse helps in affordable housing and therapeutic communities, supported by comprehensive wraparound supportive services. Having traveled to over 56 countries, Finny is currently actively mentoring and training others, equipping future leaders with the tools and vision needed to drive sustainable impact on local global scales.
Kenny Stewart
A performance-focused leader with 30+ years of experience supporting global technology and product innovation for companies like Nike, JC Penny, Hareley Davidson, and Wrangler, Kenny has experience leading cross-functional design, sourcing, production, processing facilities, product safety, and environmental compliance teams. Kenny is a certified Scrum master–from his workflow and process efficiency skills to being a seasoned leader with the ability to build strong relationships, Kenny brings a plethora of experience and track record of leading companies toward success while maximizing the efforts of everyone on his team; he’s a humble, honest, thoughtful, creative problem-solver.
Global Office Team
Janna Knight
A faithful wife to Anthony for 36 years and with two accomplished, grown children, Janna is a powerhouse administrator who has spent over three decades managing Human Resources and payroll in both secular and Christian organizations. Together with her husband, Anthony, they have served in youth ministry as long as they’ve been married, including many years working in Christian schools and supporting youth in their local church. Their passion has always been to empower the next generation to do great things for God, with a deep love for missions at the heart of this vital, effective work.
J. Anthony Knight
Anthony has dedicated over 32 years to Christian education, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership, curriculum development, and school improvement. He holds both a Master’s and Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and has served as an accreditation team leader for numerous institutions. Mr. Knight also contributed significantly to advancing educational standards as a Commissioner for ACSI Accreditation in the Southeastern United States. His commitment to excellence and faith-based learning has made a lasting impact on the schools and communities he has served.
Daniel Van Wieren
Daniel is no stranger to the incalculable worth of ministering to the needs of disadvantaged children to experience the transformative power of the love and provisions of God since he’s been rooted in local Church children’s ministry for over two decades. He lived as a volunteer English teacher in Guatemala’s highlands in an orphanage, and has joined other missions trips in service of the long-term goal of local children’s aid becoming a full, restorative experience of how the Gospel lived out can rescue anyone and forge leaders. A slight extrovert who enjoys chances to share the faith outside of the walls of the church, he may be found at his climbing gym or listening to a book.
Julious Lukwago
Hailing from gorgeous Uganda, Julious is a multifaceted IT specialist and creative professional with expertise in graphic design, software engineering, cinematography, and photography, leading both Darleen Media and his brand, Julious-Visuals. Passionate about uplifting Christian voices across multiple varieties of ministries, he uses media to create inspiring, faith-driven content that promotes truth, purity, and spiritual impact in a morally challenged digital world.
Togo
Raymond
There are many things that inspire Raymond: God first and foremost, as well as his father's management and leadership skills. His compassionate desire to be useful to society and do good for others has landed him a place of strategically helping, and he has a loyal heart for certain humanitarian organizations and causes that need support. In his free time, he enjoys coaching (whether for young people or his own children) and Raymond enjoys going on leisure and sightseeing outings. An ample administrator, Raymond’s heroes tend to be administrators making huge things happen for the long-term good of children needing rescue from poverty, in Jesus’ name.
Haiti
Paul Wanley
Paul is an educator by profession, and one of the most humble and hungry men we’ve ever had the privilege of meeting as a divine appointment, and nothing less than a shining example of a Haitian Christian leader. He has been walking with Jesus as a Christian since the year 2003; and Paul found the love of his life - and he and his wife have five beautiful children. He has worked for Mentor Leaders since September 2017 as our esteemed National Director in a country that needs the heart of God the Father, as Paul clearly has. All of us are so grateful for Paul, who loves his job, the children and the calling to serve their destinies, and very deeply loves God.
El Salvador
Bessy Lainez
Bessy Lainez is the Director of Mentor Leaders in El Salvador (and loves a non-profit that’s committed to sowing the Word of God in the hearts of children in underprivileged communities like El Monzón). A pillar in her home church in San Salvador and an accomplished professional, for more than 8 years her leadership has been dedicated to serving communities in need with the firm purpose of transforming generations through Christian principle-based education centered on Jesus' salvation. The creation of a school has been a key tool in impacting the lives of children, not only providing academic training, but also guiding the community in the knowledge of God, development of values, and building a life purpose. This passion for service, love for children, and a deep faith in this journey have made her role in Mentor Leaders a channel of hope and transformation, and Bessy has captained this role with admirable grace.