Board of Directors
Chairman/Secretary (Founder)

Phil and his wife Charleen grew up in the same neighborhood and attended a Lutheran elementary school together. After marrying, they raised four children while Phil followed in the family footsteps, working in a funeral home and ambulance service. He later continued his career purchasing a cemetery and mausoleum. Over the years, Phil has been very active in his church, and enjoyed his hobbies of woodcarving and sculpting.

Now much of his time is devoted to promoting the ministry begun by Pastor Nicholas Salifu. He serves as a conduit from that ministry to those in our own country concerned for the Great Commission. Along with regularly sharing progress and needs locally, Phil began the non-profit Ghana Harvest to support Pastor Salifu. Got has truly recruited him to enter this field where the harvest is ripe and the Lord needs many workers!

Board of Directors
Treasurer (Founder)

Don and his wife Judith has two grown children and give grandchildren. Don spent many years serving as President and Principal consultant of Telecommunications Services, Inc. and for IBM as an industry expert, before retiring in 2005. He served as founding Chairman of Metro East Lutheran High School and in many leadership positions in his home congregation. While Don continues to serve the Lord in many capacities, he is currently the treasurer of Ghana Harvest.

Board of Directors Member

Steve feels humbled and privileged to be a part of Ghana Harvest. A long-time Financial Manager with Graybar Electric, Steve is also a devoted church member, a finance committee member at Metro East Lutheran High School, and has a passion for Christian education. He spends his spare time hunting and spreading the word about the ministry happening in East Africa.

Tim and his wife Lynn (deceased), have two Children and soon to be 5 grandchildren. He is a lifelong native of Collinsville, Illinois, and member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Tim is an active member at Holy Cross and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Finance and the Chartered Organizational Representative for Boy Scout Troop 86. Tim is a CPA and recently retired as a Principal from Orion Consulting, LLC. Prior to that, he was a consultant for CGI Federal and Cooper’s & Lybrand. Tim is also involved with several other not-for-profit organizations.

Joe Pierson has been blessed to serve as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Webster City, IA since 2021. Born and raised in the LCMS, he is a 2017 graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska and a 2021 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. During his vicarage at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL, he was introduced to the work of Ghana Harvest. He is passionate about Lutheran education and missions at home and abroad, and loves sharing the joy of the life we have in Christ both here and hereafter.

Joe is married to Hannah, and they welcomed their daughter, Miriam, to the family in 2022. They enjoy cooking together, cheering on the Chicago Cubs, and hosting friends and family at the parsonage.

Wayne is retired from a career in the financial services industry. He and his wife Pat live in Collinsville Illinois and have two daughters and four grandchildren. He is a longtime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville and has held various leadership positions.

Walt Schefft has been a Lutheran school teacher since 1965 having graduated from

Concordia University in Chicago. Subsequently, he received his MSed from Indiana

University in 1974. Following teaching positions in Indiana in New Albany, Lanesville,

and Decatur he was called to Holy Cross in Collinsville, IL. where he served until

retirement, the last sixteen years as principal. He and his wife Georgia have two grown

sons, Mark and Paul.