Our Leadership
Director: Dwight & Heather McConnell
Dwight and Heather joined CompassionLink in 2012. They served for 25 years in Southern Africa, 16 years in Namibia and 9 years in South Africa. They are the Community Health Evangelism/Education coordinators at CompassionLink. They do Training of Trainers and serve churches and leaders all around the world by helping them reach their communities in a wholistic way. In 2021, Dwight became the director of CompassionLink.
COO: Dr. JoAnn Butrin
Dr. Butrin began her missions career as a registered nurse serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 14 years. In 1987, she joined CompassionLink (then known as HealthCare Ministries), later becoming the director. In 2005, she became the director of International Ministries for the Assemblies of God World Missions. She became the director of CompassionLink again in 2016 while still serving as director for International Ministries. Dr. Butrin, having achieved a PhD in community health, has taken a keen interest in a holistic approach to missions, sustainable development, community health, HIV/AIDS, and social justice. Having retired from her role as Director of International Ministries, she now serves as COO and Team Lead for Health Initiatives at CompassionLink.
Our Team
Stuart & Wendy Brown
Stuart began as a volunteer at CompassionLink in 2019 while Wendy served as Missionary in Residence at Evangel University. In 2020, Stuart officially came onboard as a Community Development Specialist. Stuart helps provide sustainable solutions for local leaders and their communities so they can establish the church worldwide. Wendy serves as the Regional Trainer for International ministries preparing our new missionaries for lifelong learning and service. Stuart and Wendy previously ministered in Jamaica as directors of a children’s home and in Mexico City working with Teen Challenge.
Thomas & Angelia Carpenter
Thomas & Angelia joined CompassionLink in 2017 as our Disabilities Coordinators. Thomas and Angelia have been working with the disabled since 1999, and have led international disability camps before joining our team. Originally from the Arkansas district, Angelia was previously the women’s ministry director for the District, and Thomas has served as both a lead pastor and evangelist in the district.
Dr. Brian and Stephanie Kidman
Brian and Stephanie Kidman are from Sioux Falls, SD where they have lived for over 20 years. They have two wonderful daughters, Anna and Katie. Brian is a medical doctor who has worked as a family practice and emergency medicine physician and has traveled extensively overseas using clinics to evangelize. Stephanie is a registered nurse who has worked as a missionary, educator, and community health nurse. Brian and Stephanie love to teach on a variety of topics. They studied community development at YWAM Costa Rica (School of Sustainable Development) and took CHE TOT (Community Health Evangelism/Education Training of Trainers) courses with CompassionLink in years past.
Frank & Lois Mayes
Frank and Lois have been married over 50 years and joined CompassionLink in 2010 (then known as Sustain Hope) as Community Development Specialist. They previously worked with Convoy of Hope for 4 years, and worked as missionaries in Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, and Eswatini (formally known as Swaziland) for 18 years.
Neil Ruda
Neil has been involved in ministry for 44 years, with 40 of those years dedicated to serving in world missions. He is passionate about exploring ways to use media and technology to support ministry and missions. After leaving Global University, Neil joined the International Ministries team where he helped with graphic design, created websites, podcasts, and webinars, and jumped in wherever needed. Neil is enthusiastic about the potential for media to promote health and well-being among missionaries and local people. He is the proud father of two grown children: his son Derek and his daughter Kelly, who recently married Emmitt.
Paul & Caryl Weingartner
Paul and Caryl have been married 39 years, and directed the Center for the Blind for 25 years until it merged with Special Touch ministries in 2019. Paul and Caryl now work with CompassionLink as Optical Coordinators to help train international communities on how they can help people with disabilities.
Brenna Alvarez
Brenna Alvarez joined the CompassionLink team in 2024 as an administrative coordinator. She is a 2015 Evangel University graduate and worked at Evangel for seven years. Brenna has loved ministry and missions her entire life, which she attributes to her time as a PK and her family’s connection to AGWM. She has served in kids’, youth, and women’s ministries and has a heart to see ALL girls know their value and freedom in Christ. She and her husband Mark have been married for 11 years and can’t wait for the day their home is filled with beautiful half-Puerto Rican children who know and love Jesus.
Donna Ballew
Donna has been working at CompassionLink for almost 12 years. She is the office manager, accounting coordinator, and graphic designer. Previously, Donna worked as a missionary associate in South Africa. She enjoys serving in church, karate training (she holds a 1st-degree black belt), teaching self-defense, traveling, and reading.
Christy Wright
Christy has been a part of Assemblies of God World Missions for more than 32 years, with over 25 of those years spent at CompassionLink (formerly HealthCare Ministries). She is the logistics coordinator for our teams and organizes our social media. She finds joy in serving our team members and missionaries. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and admiring the beauty of God's creation through taking walks.
Do you have a passion to bring sustainable solutions for communities in need? Find out about current opportunities with CompassionLink!
