Mr. Peter Vumisa
Executive Director
Peter Vumisa is the Executive Director and founder of the Ebed-Melech Institute in Pretoria, South Africa. He holds a Masters degree in Biblical Studies from Freelandia Bible College and Seminary (USA).
Read More
Peter serves as the Southern Africa Regional Coordinator for the Movement of African National Initiatives (MANI), a continental mission movement, and also coordinates the All-Africa Christian Concern (AACC) Network, which is dedicated to promoting outreach among Africa’s unreached people groups. With extensive experience as a cross-cultural missionary, researcher, author, editor, and pastor, Peter is widely recognized as a gifted teacher, conference speaker, and facilitator of seminars and workshops. He and his family are active members of Pretoria Central Baptist Church, where he serves as an elder. In
In 2012, Peter co-authored Evangelical Christian Missions: An African Perspective alongside 11 African church and mission leaders from five countries. The book has since become a valuable resource for missions training in Bible colleges and seminaries across the continent.
Mr. Peter Vumisa
Executive Director
Read More
Peter Vumisa is the Executive Director and founder of the Ebed-Melech Institute in Pretoria, South Africa. He holds a Masters degree in Biblical Studies from Freelandia Bible College and Seminary (USA).
Peter serves as the Southern Africa Regional Coordinator for the Movement of African National Initiatives (MANI), a continental mission movement, and also coordinates the All-Africa Christian Concern (AACC) Network, which is dedicated to promoting outreach among Africa’s unreached people groups. With extensive experience as a cross-cultural missionary, researcher, author, editor, and pastor, Peter is widely recognized as a gifted teacher, conference speaker, and facilitator of seminars and workshops. He and his family are active members of Pretoria Central Baptist Church, where he serves as an elder.
In 2012, Peter co-authored Evangelical Christian Missions: An African Perspective alongside 11 African church and mission leaders from five countries. The book has since become a valuable resource for missions training in Bible colleges and seminaries across the continent.
Dr. Stanley Gichia
Chairman of the Board
Read More
Stanley is a registered architect and sustainability researcher with over thirty years experience in project management and academia in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Aside from his professional pursuit, he is passionate about Christian ministry, especially missions.
Dr. Stanley Gichia
Chairman of the Board
Stanley is a registered architect and sustainability researcher with over thirty years experience in project management and academia in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Aside from his professional pursuit, he is passionate about Christian ministry, especially missions.
Prof. Connie Makgabo
Director of Public Relations, Partnerships and Treasurer
Read more
Prof. Connie Makgabo serves at Ebed-Melech Institute as the Director of Public Relations and Partnerships and as Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
She is an Academic Head at SANTS Private Higher Education Institution, where she contributes actively to SANTS community. With professional experience spanning school and higher education, she brings rich pedagogical insight, academic rigor, and a deep commitment to the formation of future educators.
Her scholarly and professional interests are firmly rooted in African culture and languages. She is passionate about advancing indigenous knowledge systems and is proficient in several African languages, which strengthens her teaching, research, and community engagement. Prof. Makgabo works collaboratively with partners across local and international contexts, contributing to knowledge exchange, institutional strengthening, and culturally responsive educational initiatives.
Her life and vocation are deeply shaped by her Christian faith. She is committed to global missions and serves actively at Pretoria Central Baptist Church. Her ministry involvement included the Internationals Ministry—an outreach to foreign students, diplomats, business professionals, refugees, and other international communities—as well as the church’s catering ministry. Through these roles, she extends hospitality, discipleship, and cross cultural support to diverse communities.
Prof. Makgabo embodies a blend of academic excellence, cultural rootedness, and faith-driven service, making her a valued leader in both educational and Christian ministry spaces.
Prof. Connie Makgabo
Director of Public Relations, Partnerships and Treasurer
Prof. Connie Makgabo serves at Ebed-Melech Institute as the Director of Public Relations and Partnerships and as Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
Read more
She is an Academic Head at SANTS Private Higher Education Institution, where she contributes actively to SANTS community. With professional experience spanning school and higher education, she brings rich pedagogical insight, academic rigor, and a deep commitment to the formation of future educators.
Her scholarly and professional interests are firmly rooted in African culture and languages. She is passionate about advancing indigenous knowledge systems and is proficient in several African languages, which strengthens her teaching, research, and community engagement. Prof. Makgabo works collaboratively with partners across local and international contexts, contributing to knowledge exchange, institutional strengthening, and culturally responsive educational initiatives.
Her life and vocation are deeply shaped by her Christian faith. She is committed to global missions and serves actively at Pretoria Central Baptist Church. Her ministry involvement included the Internationals Ministry—an outreach to foreign students, diplomats, business professionals, refugees, and other international communities—as well as the church’s catering ministry. Through these roles, she extends hospitality, discipleship, and cross cultural support to diverse communities.
Prof. Makgabo embodies a blend of academic excellence, cultural rootedness, and faith-driven service, making her a valued leader in both educational and Christian ministry spaces.
Prof. Matshepo Matoane
Director for Research and Organisational Development
Read more
Rooted in what she understands as a divine calling to minister to the broken hearted, Matshepo brings more than three decades of leadership experience in the higher education sector to her service to God and society. Her work is animated by a deep commitment to uplifting those at the margins and by her advocacy for Indigenous Knowledge Systems as vital sources of wisdom, healing, and resilience.
A clinical psychologist with a PhD in Psychology, Matshepo integrates spiritual, cultural, and psychological frameworks to offer a holistic approach to emotional wellbeing. Her scholarship and practice emphasise the restoration of dignity, the strengthening of identity, and the nurturing of communities through contextually grounded care.
She currently serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Fort Hare, where she continues to shape transformative educational environments while advancing EMI’s mission through research, organisational development, and compassionate leadership.
Prof. Matshepo Matoane
Director for Research and Organisational Development
Rooted in what she understands as a divine calling to minister to the broken hearted, Matshepo brings more than three decades of leadership experience in the higher education sector to her service to God and society.
Read more
Her work is animated by a deep commitment to uplifting those at the margins and by her advocacy for Indigenous Knowledge Systems as vital sources of wisdom, healing, and resilience.
A clinical psychologist with a PhD in Psychology, Matshepo integrates spiritual, cultural, and psychological frameworks to offer a holistic approach to emotional wellbeing. Her scholarship and practice emphasise the restoration of dignity, the strengthening of identity, and the nurturing of communities through contextually grounded care.
She currently serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Fort Hare, where she continues to shape transformative educational environments while advancing EMI’s mission through research, organisational development, and compassionate leadership.
Mr. Tony Verlaan
Director of Leadership and Organizational Development
Read More
Tony Verlaan and his wife, Maria, are originally from Australia and have been married for more than forty years.
They are the parents of three sons—each married to wonderful wives—and the delighted grandparents of five grandchildren.
For over four decades, Tony and Maria have served faithfully in Christian ministry. Their journey has taken them across continents: planting churches in Central America, equipping believers for cross cultural ministry in Australia, and joining a pioneering team in South Africa to help establish a Christian organization and develop an equipping program for national churches. Tony has also contributed his leadership and wisdom as a board member for several Christian organizations.
For the past five years, Tony has served on the Board of Directors of the Ebed Melech Institute. He counts it a privilege to support a movement that is bringing meaningful, restorative impact to ministry workers and communities across Southern Africa.
Mr. Tony Verlaan
Director of Leadership and Organizational Development
Tony Verlaan and his wife, Maria, are originally from Australia and have been married for more than forty years.
Read More
They are the parents of three sons—each married to wonderful wives—and the delighted grandparents of five grandchildren.
For over four decades, Tony and Maria have served faithfully in Christian ministry. Their journey has taken them across continents: planting churches in Central America, equipping believers for cross cultural ministry in Australia, and joining a pioneering team in South Africa to help establish a Christian organization and develop an equipping program for national churches. Tony has also contributed his leadership and wisdom as a board member for several Christian organizations.
For the past five years, Tony has served on the Board of Directors of the Ebed Melech Institute. He counts it a privilege to support a movement that is bringing meaningful, restorative impact to ministry workers and communities across Southern Africa.
Mr. Andrew Richards
Director Of Programmes and Media
Read More
Andrew Richards has served in full time ministry for more than 15 years, drawing on a diverse background that includes investigative journalism, research, analysis, frontline missionary work, and preaching.
He is the author of three editions of the World Hotspot List and a book on deception from a Christian perspective.
Andrew is married to Anel, a speech language pathologist and audiologist specializing in adult neuro rehabilitation, and together they have one son, Joshua.