How are Global Action Staff Investing?
Posted on January 31, 2025
Investing in Excellence: Dr. Elizabeth Marvel
2025 marks an exciting change for Dr. Elizabeth Marvel as she pivots to using her expertise in missions and education in her new role as Global Action’s Chief Mission Officer.
During her years with Global Action, Liz has embodied Christ’s teaching in her high standards of truth in handling the word of God alongside her radiant and disarming teaching style. Liz’s leadership with Global Action and her teaching at Baylor University are deeply motivated by her love for Jesus and her desire to see his kingdom come in the hearts and minds of students.
One of Liz’s specific areas of focus will be pursuing validation for our program through an organization called Re-Forma, in partnership with the World Evangelical Alliance. Validation with Re-forma will help us better measure the essential outcomes of our program in the lives of our students. It will also help us meet an increasing need for pastors in Africa to have a recognized certificate in order to legally lead a church. Liz is passionate about giving our students the absolute best equipping that we can offer, and by investing in the work of validation we will give them a gift that lasts.
“Liz’s work [on validation] has been a ray of hope for our work on the continent, as it is becoming increasingly important for pastors and church leaders to have a validated certificate in order to lead churches,” observes Buhe Mativenga, Global Action’s Director of Africa. “Over 90% [of pastors] do not have this, so the drive towards validation will be pivotal for our organization.”
Dr. Marvel also travels to various Global Action locations around the world, where she teaches seminars on topics such as Women in the History of Christianity. Her warmth and passion interacting with church leaders through her phenomenal teaching is truly changing lives.
We look forward to seeing Liz’s tremendous investment in the leaders we serve.
You can read more about Liz here.
“In cultures where women are often suppressed in their homes and churches, [Dr. Marvel’s seminar] brought light and hope to realize how the Lord has used women throughout the ages to accomplish His plan. Many women are saying that the whole church needs to know this as it has brought light and freedom to many of them.”
—Buhe Mativenga, Director of Africa
Investing in Strategy: Bailey Bada
Bailey has served in a variety of roles throughout her seven years with Global Action, from connecting with our donors, to leading vision trips, to sharing stories of impact—and much more! The many hats she has worn have given her insight into all aspects of Global Action’s work, along with the opportunity to build deep relationships with our global team.
Effective this January, she is transitioning to her new role as Director of Operations and Strategy, in which she will serve as a central hub for the various departments of the organization. She is eager to apply her extensive intercultural experience to the important work of casting vision and ensuring that we are carrying out our mission as effectively as possible.
You can read more about Bailey here.
“At Global Action, we are brimming with possibilities and open doors all over the world. The demand for our program is high! By investing significant time this year into carefully evaluating our priorities and direction, we will position ourselves to grow strategically into the places of greatest need where we can make the biggest difference.”
—Bailey Bada, Director of Operations and Strategy
Investing in Development: Rich Griffith
This October, Global Action welcomed Rich Griffith into a new role as Chief Development Officer. Bringing his pastoral background from the past two decades including various vision trips around the world, he has enthusiastically jumped into building strong relationships with donors and developing church partnerships.
He is passionate about Jesus Christ and desires to contagiously engage others in the biblical mandate to be His Witnesses. Rich loves how God is not only transforming hearts around the world, but also calling North Americans to step out of their comfort zones and into God’s larger plan.
Prior to his ministry experience, Rich played seven years in the NFL as a tight end and long snapper for the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Strong team dynamics, actualizing growth both personally and organizationally, and fervor for the mission are no strangers in his life experience!
Rich has embraced the specific calling of equipping local church leaders with zeal, and is already an active spokesman for the work Global Action is doing to participate in the Great Commission.
Rich has been married to his wife Keri for over 30 years, and they have four adult children. Rich resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
You can read more about Rich here.
