The Rev. Dr. Christopher Royer has been the Executive Director of AFM since 2014. Born and raised in Boulder, CO, he graduated from Wheaton College with a double major in Biblical Studies and Philosophy. He went on to earn an M.A. from Wheaton in New Testament Studies (1989) before doing church planting in the Middle East (1990-2006). Chris earned an M.Div. from Denver Seminary (2004) and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Trinity School for Ministry (2007) in Ambridge, PA. He was ordained to the priesthood (2009) and served in parish ministry (2008-2014), mainly in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, until he was called to lead AFM (2014). Chris completed his doctoral studies (2021) at Oklahoma State University. Chris and his wife Grace have two wonderful daughters.
Angie joined AFM in the summer of 2019. Born and raised in the upper Midwest, she graduated with a B.A. in History from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While there, she met her husband Steve. After several years of denomination-hopping they were confirmed at The Falls Church in Northern Virginia, later joining Truro Church in Fairfax when Steve joined the staff. Eventually, they moved to Wisconsin so that Steve could attend Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Since then, they have served parishes in Wisconsin, New York, and now Virginia. Angie has worked primarily in churches or parachurch ministries since 1989 doing anything from children’s ministry to graphic design to administration. In addition to being a “rector’s wife,” her favorite job is being mom to five children.
Stacy joined AFM in 2018, but her history with missions began at age six when her parents were called to West Africa. After spending most of her childhood overseas, she returned to Pennsylvania where she eventually spent ten years teaching English in the public school system. In June 2018, she married Joshua and moved to Virginia, then gave birth to their son two years later. Stacy is thrilled to have opportunities to serve Christ as a part of the missions work of AFM.
Soon after Gretchen embraced Christ as her Lord and Savior, she heard about a nation where the opportunity to hear of Jesus was nearly non-existent. She offered her life to the Lord saying she would go wherever He led.
In the fullness of time, she and her family ended up living and serving in Asia for 19 years. Gretchen served in many capacities including, but not limited to, homeschooling mom, strategy coordinator, prayer advocate, logistics coordinator and trainer.
Gretchen and Brad, her husband of 30 years, currently reside in Tennessee. They have two sons and two grandchildren.
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After studying the Bible as an undergraduate and several cross-cultural missional experiences in the Middle East and Asia, JD felt drawn towards missions. With that in mind, he spent the next five years in the military, learning Arabic and preparing for graduate school. After leaving the military, JD spent several transformative years pondering the Great Books, leading him to return to Asia to live for several years. Subsequently, JD completed several Master's programs in Islamic Studies, most recently at The University of Chicago. Currently, JD lives in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with his lovely wife and three kids where, when he and his boys are not out hiking, he does international security analysis.
The Rev. Abbot Norman and Beth Beale
Pastors to Cross-Cultural Workers
norman@afm-us.org
beth@afm-us.org
Norman and Beth Beale have rejoined AFM in 2022 as Pastors to Cross-Cultural Workers. They originally served with AFM from 1994-2001, in Nepal. Beth grew up in northern NJ, and studied ballet in New York City. She and Norman met there in 1977. He had grown up in New Orleans. They were married in 1980 in New York and in 1982 had a shared sense of being sent by God into mission work among unreached people groups (UPGs). After study in Pasadena, CA, they followed God’s call to Nepal and later worked among the Tamang people, while also establishing the Anglican church in Nepal. They have two children, whom they adopted in Nepal, now adults. Norman earned a master’s degree in Education, and taught elementary school for ten years. He also earned a master’s in Missions and was ordained a priest in 1996. Beth earned a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics/TESOL and has taught English in a number of universities and colleges in Nepal, Cambodia, and in four states in the US. They were in Nepal from 1986-2001 and in Cambodia from 2008-2010. They have also served in parish settings for ten years and Norman has been an Anglican Chaplain for eleven years.
Pete and Shirleen Wait have served as AFM Pastors to Cross-Cultural Workers since April 2000. They communicate with, pray/fast weekly for, remember the birthdays/anniversaries of, visit, and provide R&R in their home for AFM's cross-cultural workers. Pete, a graduate of The University of FL College of Engineering, has Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry degrees from The University of the South at Sewanee, TN. He is a registered Professional Engineer and has been in the “Power and Light” business two ways – as CEO of two electric power companies and as an avid Jesus Follower and Priest. Pete served as Canon for Evangelism (local and global) in the Diocese of FL prior to his work with AFM. Shirleen holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Reading Education from Florida State University and has extensive experience as a curriculum specialist, consultant, and professor. She has produced numerous publications and retired as National Curriculum Specialist from Simon and Schuster Publishing Company. Occasionally, Pete serves as a cruise-ship chaplain (with Shirleen as his senior warden, altar guild, etc.). The Waits have two children and five grandchildren and enjoy their life on the Atlantic Ocean through Harley trips with their biker buddies and adventuring on the beach.
Andrew and Janet met through Youth with a Mission (YWAM), and together have led teams from Hong Kong all over the world. Andrew was born in Wellington, New Zealand and has been involved in missions since he was 18. Janet was raised in Virginia and began her call to missions at the ’76 Olympics! She lived and served in Asia and the Pacific region for a decade, ministering to the refugees fleeing from both Cambodia and Vietnam in the late 70’s and early 80’s. In 2007, they founded Emmaus Encounter, a ministry that provides a safe place for Christian men and women from damaged pasts to grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The Kerrs live in Lakeside, Montana with their black lab Diesel and have two daughters.
Angela was trained in piano, organ, and voice performance with additional studies in composition and conducting. Angela is particularly drawn to serving others in developing and deepening their worship of God. She also provides coaching, teaching, and resources to facilitate worship groups transitioning from traditional music to blended and contemporary styles while keeping them grounded on God's Word. Angela served with The Rev. Christopher Royer from 2008-2012 as a musical worship leader. She and her husband Bob live in Hilton Head S .C. where Bob works as a pulmonologist. The Burnaughs have two adult children and one very special grandson who loves visiting Mimi and Doc!