As Children of the Nations (COTN) steps into a new season of leadership, we witness the beauty of God’s faithfulness. The retirement of co-founders Chris and Debbie Clark was a divine invitation to trust in the leaders He prepared. Today, we’re honored to share how Dr. Michael Jungkeit (Board Chair) and Dr. Paul De Pree (Acting CEO/COO) are guiding COTN with wisdom and clarity as the Board seeks the next permanent CEO.
Recently, Dr. Michael Jungkeit reflected on this pivotal moment:
“When we began planning this transition three years ago, we prayed for a leader who combined operational excellence with a pastor’s heart. God had already placed Dr. De Pree among us. His humility, strategic mind, and deep commitment to this ministry make him the exact leader COTN needs for this season. This isn’t coincidence—it’s providence.”
Dr. Jungkeit’s words underscore the Board’s unanimous confidence in Dr. De Pree, whose seven years of service at COTN have been marked by:
· Unshakable Integrity: A commitment to Christ-centered stewardship in every decision.
· Relational Wisdom: Empowering national directors in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti to lead with cultural insight.
· Operational Excellence: Ensuring every dollar donated maximizes impact for the children we serve.
This interim period isn’t about maintaining momentum—it’s proving the strength of COTN’s model:
1. Local Leadership: National directors and boards in the countries COTN operates are effectively leading daily ministry efforts, ensuring that children receive the highest quality care and support.
2. Sustainable Growth: Dr. De Pree’s systems-focused approach ensures stability during the CEO search.
3. Spiritual Confidence: As Dr. De Pree recently shared:
“During this time COTN will still seek to fulfill the vision and mission given to us by the Lord with prayer, decisiveness, confidence and godspeed, knowing that He will guide as needed and fill in the gaps that remain.”
With Dr. Jungkeit and Dr. De Pree charting the course, COTN’s future remains steadfast.
Thank you for walking with us in faith as God continues to write COTN’s next chapter!
For the Children,
The COTN Team