Kelly and Wendell Verduin
Wendell and Kelly Verduin live in Poulsbo, Washington. While Kelly runs the family business, ownership of real estate investments through their private company, Northwest Communities, Wendell is (mostly) retired and now is busier than ever as President of Second Table Ministries. Prior to the establishment of STM, Wendell’s professional experience was as founder and Director of the Community Action anti-poverty program in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Director of the Planning, Budget and Evaluation Division of Region 10 (Great Lakes) Office of Economic Opportunity, and subsequently a Presidential appointee as the Executive Director of that office. During that period he was twice the Chairman of the Region 10 Federal Regional Council. In 1973 he moved to Seattle to take the position of Executive Director of the Washington Education Association and later became an entrepreneur with The Pace Corporation in real estate syndication.
STM fits their background and passion perfectly. How better to couple anti-poverty program, community organization, and business administration experience with social workers’ hearts and a Christian commitment to service.
“We were so blessed to witness both the critical need and the incredible opportunities in several extended trips across South Africa. This has been a life-changing experience – won’t you join us?”
Throughout his life, Reg Branston has enjoyed volunteering in service to others, beginning in 1969 through Kiwanis (in which he rose to become PNW District, Division 26, Lieutenant Governor), and then through civic and faith-based organizations as a member of their boards. His business career was spent as a commercial insurance broker where his work included leadership positions from departmental management to president.
Reg Branston at Evaton Noord
Over the past nine years Reg has served on the Board of Trustees (including two years as Chairman) of Wesley Homes, a provider of retirement communities and services for older adults, and for six years on the Board of Trustees of CRISTA Ministries during which he served as Chairman of its Committee to World Concern, CRISTA’s international human services relief and development ministry.
A 2005 trip to South Africa changed his life. With Christian hearts, he and his wife Dawn, were significantly impacted by the huge numbers of people living in abject poverty – people who must struggle every day with hunger and the issues of simply surviving. Subsequent trips have deepened Reg’s commitment to service. These experiences led him to become Chairman of the Sister Church Relationship Team at Seattle First Christian Reformed Church when it formally adopted the Evaton Noord URCSA congregation in South Africa as its sister church.
“I am very pleased to be a part of Second Table Ministries serving as its Vice President as we are working to provide sustainable relief for those people we are able to help in several areas throughout South Africa.”
CraigTorstenbo
Craig Torstenbohas a background in marketing and fundraising. He has spent his career developing communication strategy and materials for Christian organizations involved in relief and development work, global evangelism and inner-city outreach to the poor and homeless. His experience includes more than 25 years working at nonprofits, the marketing agencies that serve them, and also as a freelance copywriter.
He spent 12 years at Focus on the Family, including 5 years as the agency’s in-house creative director. He is currently creative director at Masterworks, a nationally recognized firm serving Christian ministries.
A graduate of Seattle Pacific University, Craig began his career in radio broadcasting, doing drive-time news in Long Beach, California. He lives with his family in Poulsbo, Washington.
Craig traveled to South Africa in 2005 and has since had a heart for the nation and its people. He’s honored to be involved with STM.