Kevin & Erica Pippert

Kevin and Erica Pippert came to LifeWind in 2005 through the invitation of Gil Odendaal, then Regional Coordinator for Africa. Gil met the Pipperts at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, while Kevin was finalizing his M.Div. degree. Erica earned a B.A. in Theology from Covenant Bible College in Durban, South Africa.

Kevin comes from a culturally mixed background and was raised in the States; Erica is Indian and was raised in South Africa. They are both U.S. citizens. Kevin and Erica have had extensive international experience travelling to over 40 countries (Kevin) and 30 countries (Erica) before coming to Medical Ambassadors/LifeWind. Many of these were visited while they were with Operation Mobilization from 1992-1996. The Pipperts met while they were both working on the OM ship, M/V Doulos, ’94-’96.

They began their journey with LifeWind/Medical Ambassadors International in September 2005.  Kevin‘s first order of business was to attend the Philippines Internship. A short trip to Africa in November alerted them to the expense of living there, and they returned home to increase their efforts to raise support. In February 2006 Kevin spent another few quick weeks in South Africa with David Drake, MAI Area Coordinator, meeting many of David’s contacts and helping to facilitate an HIV and AIDS TOT. Finally in March of 2006 they left Chicago for Cape Town to begin ministering as CHE Facilitators in ten South African countries. They were seconded to the South African HIV and AIDS Collaboration (SAHAC) in Orlando East (Johannesburg) for fifty percent of their time. They also worked with Bridges of Hope in Cape Town. Their greatest challenge was helping the churches to see the need to become involved in HIV and AIDS awareness. Kevin and Erica held a variety of CHE Vision Seminars and TOTs until pastors began responding.

In 2007 they assumed greater responsibility, taking on the role of Area Coordinators. Encouragement came when they attended LifeWind/Medical Ambassadors International’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Council meeting where Area Coordinators met for a time of mutual learning and edification as well as visioning for the future. Here they learned there are over 11,000 CHE workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, the vast majority being volunteers, despite the strong sense of dependency that exists in Africa. Goals for 2008 were set to empower church denominations, mission organizations, NGOs, and even governments in CHE so that they can provide support in developing their own programs.

In 2008 the Pipperts began working to establish a non-profit organization to help access local funding as well as show they are a long-term development presence in the region. Ministry growth was mushrooming beyond their capacity and they needed to recruit helpers. Back-to-back trainings continued to be their reality. They worked themselves out of their jobs with SAHAC, as local leaders were raised and headed up the project. A three-month furlough in the States, raising support and reconnecting with family and friends blessed the Pipperts greatly.

By January 2009 the non-profit organization the Pipperts were seeking to establish, called 360 Transformation, became a recognized NGO in South Africa, with a goal of wholistic/total transformation of individuals and communities, physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially. They continued to grow the CHE projects in Swaziland, witnessing life changes when people came to Christ or established microenterprises, producing income and influencing others to do so.  One community started a farming project on 17 hectares of land and then requested more trainers.  Kevin hustled to expand his training schedule. Jeff Phillips, LWI/MAI Resource Facilitator for Participatory Agriculture Development joined him in teaching crop and animal production and marketing. They helped participants understand the principles of adding value to products and learning the market niche.

In 2010 the Pipperts were privileged to serve with Cape Town 2010, The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. This Congress is a gathering of 4000 church, mission, educational , and Christian marketplace leaders from around the world, meeting to discuss the issues surrounding fulfillment of the Great Commission. An overarching theme of the Congress is The Whole Church taking the Whole Gospel to the Whole World.

Just after Kevin and Erica celebrated their five-year anniversary with LifeWind/Medical Ambassadors International in September 2010, the African Regional Coordinators asked them to assume responsibility for leadership as Regional Coordinators over Southern Africa. This choice was made when John and Madelle Payne were looking to replace themselves as RCs for Southern Africa. The Pipperts graciously accepted this new challenge and are trusting the Lord with their time, energy, and finances to fulfill the role in the way He calls them to do.

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