Reid Saunders

Reid Saunders

President

On a stage or at a grocery store, Reid sees opportunities all around him to share hope with those who are hurting.Reid was born and raised in Petaluma, California. He enjoyed a loving family and popularity in school, but felt a void in his life. At 17 years of age, Reid surrendered himself to the Lord, a decision that changed the trajectory of his life. As a young Christ-follower, Reid recorded many of Billy Graham’s messages, marveling at the power of God’s Word to touch hearts and change lives. Reid preached his first evangelistic message at a festival in Petaluma, CA at the age of 22. He graduated from Western Baptist College (now Corban University) in 1998, and went on to Multnomah Biblical Seminary to earn a Masters in Divinity in 2002 and Doctorate in Global Evangelism in 2022.

In 2002, Reid founded Reid Saunders Association, which has proclaimed the Gospel in word and in deed to millions of people across the globe. He has ministered in 95 countries and across the USA at festivals, conferences, and outreach events. He is the author of Life to the Fullest, All for Jesus! Making Your Life Count for Christ, and Active8. Reid, his wife, Carmen, and their three children live in Salem, Oregon.

Doug Terpening

Doug Terpening - Exec Director

Executive Director

Doug served with Luis Palau Association from 1999 to 2013, where he worked as the Vice President of Festivals. His job included coordinating large events, managing staff, and raising finances for outreach festivals. Doug later transitioned to a different ministry, called Mending the Soul, where he served as Development Director until accepting this position with RSA.

He brings a wealth of experience in both evangelism and fundraising. Doug and his wife, Andrea, have 4 children. We are excited to have Doug on the team.

Ruth
Daniels

Ruth Daniels - International OutReach

International Outreach Director

Ruth was born and raised in Guatemala City. She considers herself a fourth generation Christian because of the fruits of American missionaries who lived in her country in the early 1900s. These missionaries shared with Ruth’s great-grandmother that salvation could only be found in accepting that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for our sins, and that we need to have a personal relationship with Him. Ruth’s great-grandmother accepted Christ as her Lord and savior, and subsequently, Ruth’s grandmother and mother did as well. At the age of seven, Ruth accepted Christ in her heart. Because of her family’s testimony, Ruth believes in mission work and enjoys taking people on mission trips. Ruth came to the U.S. when she married her husband Pat who is from Kansas City. Ruth enjoys going to the Oregon coast with her family, and loves serving the Lord alongside the RSA staff.

Jonah
Brokaw

Jonah Brokaw - Donor Ambassador

Donor Ambassador

Born in Salem, Oregon, and growing up in the rural town of Turner, Oregon, Jonah decided to stay close to home when choosing which school to attend for his bachelor’s degree. He graduated in 2018 from Corban University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Marketing. After taking a few years off from school, he decided to go back and get his Masters Degree in Business Administration. Now Jonah is connecting with donors to show them all the impactful events RSA has been involved in.

During Jonah’s free time he likes to focus on fitness, taking his motorcycle out on back country roads, and taking his two Siberian huskies out on walks. Jonah is a social butterfly and will often do everything he can to be around people and make them laugh.

Lisa
Fordyce

Lisa operations director

Operations Director

Lisa has been a Christian for most of her life and was raised by a Christian mother. She has a heart for nonprofit work and helping those in need. One of Lisa’s favorite verses is Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 30 years now! Although Lisa and Craig do not have children of their own, they have 16 nieces and nephews who are much loved. Lisa feels she is blessed with “the best friends in the world” and is grateful to God for each of them. In her (much cherished) alone time, Lisa enjoys reading, tea, puzzles, and movies.

Hannah Georgen

Hannah Georgen - Development Project Mgr

Development Project Manager

Some words that might be used to describe Hannah include: Jesus follower, tea drinker, artist, anglophile, bookworm, and stargazer. She was born and raised in Spokane, WA, and spent most of her time playing piano, riding her Arabian horse, or being homeschooled with her two sisters until starting community college.

After transferring to Corban University, Hannah studied English Communications, participated on Student Leadership planning events and activities, and studied abroad for a semester at Oxford University in England. Since graduating with a BS in May of 2018, Hannah was briefly a horseback riding instructor and an event coordinator at the Newell House, and now works in donor development at the RSA office.

Hannah hopes to someday be a bike commuter, and have a handful of miniature horses named after hobbits. She admits to owning 17 thrifted sweaters.

Chelsey Boyd

Chelsey Taylor - Exec Asst.

Outreach & Training Assistant

Chelsey was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. She graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Women’s Ministries in 2009. She’s always had a passion for helping people and showing them the love of God, and is grateful for the opportunity to do that at RSA as she assists Reid and works with the international teams. When she’s not working, you can find her spoiling her niece, reading, or knitting. She also enjoys traveling the country to visit friends..

Kasey
Smith

Kasey Smith - Operations Asst

Operations Assistant

Kasey was born and raised in southern California until she accepted an offer to play volleyball for Corban University in Salem, OR. This is where she fully began to know and love Jesus Christ. Kasey graduated with a BS in Exercise Science in 2018. Since then, she has discovered a deeper calling to work at an organization that makes a direct impact for the Lord’s kingdom; hence, the reason you’re finding her here at RSA.

Outside of work, Kasey enjoys playing sports, weight lifting, hiking, and baking. She also has a deep love for animals, dessert and her husband Jackson!

Mikayla
Lewis

Mikayla English - Development asst.

Development Assistant

Mikayla was raised in a Christian home and was homeschooled through her education years. She loves Jesus, coffee, ukulele, painting, llamas, and biking. Always seeking ways to serve, she leads in a youth discipleship program and volunteers with Search and Rescue.

Graduating in a pandemic, Mikayla found a desire to dive into ways she can be involved in reaching others with the love of Christ. She is excited that she can combine that passion with her work at RSA. Some day, she hopes to own a little bit of property with a llama of her own.

Kirk
Purdy

Kirk Outreach & Training Coordinator

Outreach & Training Coordinator

Kirk assists with church relations and logistics in festival cities around the world. Additionally, he’s building a curriculum for RSA to train future evangelists.

He became interested in evangelism during his years at Wheaton College and later attended Regent College in Vancouver, BC for theological training. He spent a decade working for the Luis Palau Association as a festival director.

Kirk is married to Keren, a former purser for Emirates airlines. He and Keren met on the worship team at Redeemer Church of Dubai. They enjoy spending time hiking, choir singing, Sci-Fi movies, and adventuring with their adorably precocious daughter, Summer.

Kellan Sawyer

Kellan Sawyer - Finance

Prayer Coordinator

Kellan is a wife, mother of three, and lover of God. She loves God because He loves her and is always there for her. Kellen enjoys spending time with with God, working on our staff, and being heavily involved in many things. She is almost always busy. In her free time, she enjoys travel and adventure–hiking slot canyons, rock hunting, and finding eccentric plants. Kellan also likes to eat dessert for breakfast or have her dessert first when she goes out to eat.

Kimmie Ragsac

Kimmie executive assistant

Executive Assistant

Kimmie was born in Sunnyvale, CA. She moved to Salem, Oregon with her husband in 1988. She loves Jesus and loves people and has a heart to serve. She is currently attending bible college at her local church to grow in her knowledge of the Lord.

 Her and her husband Leo have a son and a daughter. She loves spending time with friends and family, including her church family.  

Lucy
McAvoy

lucy Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Lucy was born and raised in Keizer, Oregon. She grew up in a Christian home and came to know Jesus at a young age. Lucy was attending nursing school when the pandemic began, but soon found that God had other plans for her, and through His faithfulness led her to the Reid Saunders Association. Lucy is an avid reader and loves to learn. She enjoys traveling, weight lifting and spending time with her friends and family.

Board Members

Mark Hanke
Salem, OR

Dan Hill – Chairman of the Board
Salem, OR

Craig Holt
Salem, OR

Mike Hudspeth
Spokane, WA

Scott Mansur
Keizer, OR

Mike Pate
Crestline, CA

Reid Saunders – President
Salem, OR

Mike Smith
Salem, OR

Doug Terpening – Executive Director
Banks, OR

Steve Tatone
Canby, OR

Rich Valette
Aumsville, OR

Brian White
Salem, OR