explaining the unfinished task network logo
The Acacia Tree stands against the backdrop of the world. The Acacia tree is native to Africa and Australia. As such, it is a fitting symbol for the growth of indigenous churches that flourish in their native settings throughout the world.
who we are and what we do
|
For a detailed description of UTN and what we do, read the Executive Summary by downloading the PDF file here:
|
| ||
Core values and beliefs
|
For a clear and concise explanation of UTN's Core Values and Beliefs, read the PDF here:
|
| ||
history
|
|
Dane Fowlkes and David Neely served as missionaries in Kenya with the same mission agency in the decade of the 1990's. During that time they engaged in numerous discussions concerning the necessity of national believers to transition from solely being recipients of mission. Both taught for Kenya Baptist Theological College and dreamed of students catching a vision for indigenous church planting. In 1998, Fowlkes taught an elective course entitled "The Unfinished Task," in which students were challenged to move from being the beneficiaries of mission to serving as agents of mission. That experience led Fowlkes to move to northern India, and begin researching indigenous church planting movements.
The Unfinished Task Network was born in the heart and experience of Fowlkes and Neely, and is positioned strategically to make a positive difference as a partner with Affecting Change International.
The Unfinished Task Network was born in the heart and experience of Fowlkes and Neely, and is positioned strategically to make a positive difference as a partner with Affecting Change International.
leadership
Dane fowlkes, Ph.D.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dane Fowlkes spent his formative years in Port Arthur, Texas. Dane graduated from Thomas Jefferson Senior High School in Port Arthur, and then went on to graduate from East Texas Baptist University. He later completed a Master of Divinity degree in missions and evangelism from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Master of Theology degree from University of South Africa. He served as pastor of several churches throughout Texas before being appointed for missionary service by the International Mission Board in 1993. He served as instructor at St. Paul's United Theological College near Nairobi while in language school, and then moved to his first mission station in Meru. Fowlkes worked with an unreached tribe in northern Kenya and helped train indigenous churches around Mount Kenya to establish new ones, later becoming dean of Kenya Baptist Theological College and leading a national program of theological education for pastors. After eight years in Kenya, he moved to Ahmedabad, India as Strategy Coordinator for Gujarati Hindus.
After returning to the United States from missionary service, Fowlkes completed the Doctor of Philosophy degree in missiology from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He served for fifteen years at East Texas Baptist as Chaplain of the University, Interim Vice President of Spiritual Life, Assistant Professor of Religion, and Associate Vice President for Development. Dr Fowlkes currently teaches as adjunct faculty member for the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program of Dallas Baptist University. He has two published books to his credit, and has presented papers and been featured speaker at numerous professional missiological meetings and conferences both in the United States and internationally. He is fluent in Swahili, and reads from his Swahili Bible to begin each day.
In addition to his leadership role with the Unfinished Task Network, Dr. Fowlkes works with an international relief agency. He lives in Waco, Texas with his wife Jo, and Rhodesian Ridgeback Misha Kalahari.
After returning to the United States from missionary service, Fowlkes completed the Doctor of Philosophy degree in missiology from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He served for fifteen years at East Texas Baptist as Chaplain of the University, Interim Vice President of Spiritual Life, Assistant Professor of Religion, and Associate Vice President for Development. Dr Fowlkes currently teaches as adjunct faculty member for the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program of Dallas Baptist University. He has two published books to his credit, and has presented papers and been featured speaker at numerous professional missiological meetings and conferences both in the United States and internationally. He is fluent in Swahili, and reads from his Swahili Bible to begin each day.
In addition to his leadership role with the Unfinished Task Network, Dr. Fowlkes works with an international relief agency. He lives in Waco, Texas with his wife Jo, and Rhodesian Ridgeback Misha Kalahari.
|
|
david l. neely
Having traveled extensively throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Asia, and Canada, David Neely leads the international nonprofit Affecting Change International. In the past several years, Neely has led ongoing ACI involvement in Kenya, India, and the United States. He was an annual speaker at the Infopoverty World Conference of the United Nations from 2006 - 2021 and during that time, served as part of The University of Oklahoma Public Service Institute's Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Consortium.
Having lived and worked in East Africa for eleven years, Neely held a number of leadership positions within the nonprofit community, including Executive Director of Brackenhurst International Conference Center in Kenya, Logistics Coordinator for the Northern Frontier Cluster of the International Mission Board in Southern Sudan where his team ran a local hospital and airstrip, Northern Uganda, and Northern Kenya, Director of Operations and Development for Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, to name a few. Early in his professional career, Neely held positions in municipal and federal government, the petroleum industry, owned two privately held businesses, and most recently served nearly 14 years as the Pastor of Operations and Outreach at Blue Valley Baptist Church in Overland Park, Kansas.
Neely received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education, Training, and Development from the University of Oklahoma, studied Missions and Evangelism at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he also holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary.
In addition to his leadership role with the Unfinished Task Network, continues to lead ACI projects, and serves as a DART Technical Advisor for Logistics with Samaritan's Purse on an as-needed basis. He lives in Olathe, Kansas with his wife Phyllis.
Having lived and worked in East Africa for eleven years, Neely held a number of leadership positions within the nonprofit community, including Executive Director of Brackenhurst International Conference Center in Kenya, Logistics Coordinator for the Northern Frontier Cluster of the International Mission Board in Southern Sudan where his team ran a local hospital and airstrip, Northern Uganda, and Northern Kenya, Director of Operations and Development for Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, to name a few. Early in his professional career, Neely held positions in municipal and federal government, the petroleum industry, owned two privately held businesses, and most recently served nearly 14 years as the Pastor of Operations and Outreach at Blue Valley Baptist Church in Overland Park, Kansas.
Neely received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education, Training, and Development from the University of Oklahoma, studied Missions and Evangelism at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he also holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary.
In addition to his leadership role with the Unfinished Task Network, continues to lead ACI projects, and serves as a DART Technical Advisor for Logistics with Samaritan's Purse on an as-needed basis. He lives in Olathe, Kansas with his wife Phyllis.
|
|
jonathan lock
Jack of all trades, Jonathan Lock joined the UTN team in 2019 to not only document and communicate the UTN mission, but to help develop discipleship and follow-up with the UTN community. Jonathan spent his youth in the state of Kansas where he surrendered his life to Christ in 1997. His passion for photography and the arts took him to Carson-Newman University in east Tennessee where he heard his calling to ministry. The day after graduating, Jonathan took his first ministry position as a student and music minister in Gainesville, TX and started to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After graduating with a Masters in Christian Education and serving churches in Arkansas and Georgia, the Lord led him back home to Kansas, where, after serving as Student Minister for 8 years, he now serves as the Campus Pastor for one of the Blue Valley Baptist Church campuses. Jonathan has a passion for discipleship and for using his skills to make sure everyone is growing closer to God and to one another.
In addition to his roles with the Unfinished Task Network and his local church ministry, Jonathan stays actively engaged with his community and maintains involvement in local schools. He lives in Stilwell, Kansas with his wife Jayme and their two children, Andrew and Abbagail.
In addition to his roles with the Unfinished Task Network and his local church ministry, Jonathan stays actively engaged with his community and maintains involvement in local schools. He lives in Stilwell, Kansas with his wife Jayme and their two children, Andrew and Abbagail.
IAN BARTON
Having spent most all of his personal and professional life in Kenya, Ian serves as UTN's Literary and Publicity Agent for East Africa. Professionally, prior to his current role with UTN, Ian has served as Managing Director of a number of international businesses, been heavily involved in the tourism industry along with his wife Kathy, and helped individuals and businesses in consultative capacity for leadership and management practices.
He and his wife have three grown children and continues to live in the highlands of Kenya where he continues to remain involved in community development opportunities. He enjoys rugby, football (soccer), and cricket.
He and his wife have three grown children and continues to live in the highlands of Kenya where he continues to remain involved in community development opportunities. He enjoys rugby, football (soccer), and cricket.