The Mission
To meet the essential needs of vulnerable Liberians to keep children alive and families together in Jesus’ Name.
U.S. Leadership
Candi summers, executive Director
Candi lives in Arlington, Texas with her children and her husband Nathan. She served on the board of BESTWA for 14 years. She became Executive Director of BESTWA in January 2019. Candi homeschools her children, and loves crafts of all kinds, reading, genealogy, trivia, and people. Candi attends Grace Fellowship Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. She is passionate about empowering mothers after infant loss and miscarriage, which lead to her creating the Pregnancy Support Network in Liberia, and volunteering with Gathering Hope in the United States.
Rudolph Vinton, Board chair
Rudy lives in Arlington, Texas with his wife Gracie and their two children. He has served on the board of BESTWA since 2017 and as board chair since 2026. Originally from Paynesville, Liberia, Rudy came to the United States in 2003. Rudy is a Security Account Manager. He enjoys sports, particularly basketball, movies, and exercising.
Dan Baucum, Treasurer
Dan lives in Midlothian, Texas with his wife Jeannie. They have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. He has served on the board of BESTWA since 2014. Dan is the President of Conveyors, Inc., a manufacturer of bulk material handling equipment. Dan is an Elder at Midlothian Bible Church and serves on the board of Truth Encounter. Dan and Jeannie enjoy traveling the country. He visited Liberia for the first time in February of 2018.
Kathy Meyer, secretary
Kathy lives in Dallas, Texas with her cat, Tirzah. She has served on the board of BESTWA since 2026. She is a graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute but discovered that full-time ministry is wherever God places you. Kathy spent most of her career in Administrative Roles. Now she is semi-retired but works from home assisting those in the mission field by doing bookkeeping. In her spare time, Kathy loves to read, drink coffee, chat with friends, and spend time in God's creation.
Darlene Hardy, Board Of directors
Darlene lives in Midlothian, Texas. She was a teacher, counselor, and central office administrator for many years in public education. After retiring from public education, Darlene opened a private counseling practice specializing in depression and the healing of trauma.
Darlene loves to study the latest research in her field, work in her yard, travel, go to the movies with her girlfriends, and read. She travelled to Liberia for the first time in February of 2018. She runs a ministry to widows called Sisters In Spirit of Texas.
dr. Gracie Vinton, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gracie lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband Rudy and their two children. She has served on the board of BESTWA since 2017. Originally from Monrovia, Liberia, Gracie came to the United States in 2002 to attend University, where she earned her doctorate in Social Work.
Gracie is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Texas A &M University-Commerce and a Licensed Social Worker. She enjoys reading, watching movies, therapeutic cooking and baking , 3D puzzles, ships and architectural modeling.
Jeremy Finnestad, board of directors
Jeremy lives in Midlothian, Texas with his wife Maria and their five children. He has served on the board of BESTWA since 2025. Jeremy is a Mortgage Loan Officer, and has 20 years of experience as a Chemical Engineer. He serves as a Deacon at Midlothian Bible Church. Jeremy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, learning about history, and watching and playing sports. He runs a non-profit ministry that serves the people of Northern Peru, LAMP. (Latin American Mission Project).
ROBERT BRuce, board of directors
Rob lives in Dallas–Fort Worth with his wife, Sandy, and their five children. He has served on the board of BESTWA since 2025. Born in Papua New Guinea, Rob grew up in a remote village in the East Sepik Province, where his parents served with Wycliffe Bible Translators. He later attended high school in the Philippines before moving to the United States at age 18 to attend college.
Rob earned a business degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and later completed a certificate in missions through Columbia International University. After spending 15 years in corporate America, he transitioned into entrepreneurship and started a marketing company.
Rob has a lifelong love for people and cultures, particularly those in developing and underserved communities. He and Sandy have a heart for missions and for serving people around the world.
Dayna Schluter, board of directors
Dayna lives in Midlothian, Texas with her husband Charlie. She has served on the BESTWA Education Committee and Events Committee. Dayna joined the Board of Directors in 2026. Dayna was a classroom teacher for many years in public education. She enjoys spending time with her family, her two Boston terriers, her horses, traveling, and playing the flute with the Flutissimo Flute Choir.