We are blessed to have some of the most incredible individuals on our Board of Directors. Their wisdom, passion, and experience on the mission field is vital to the success of our mission!
Founder & Executive Director
Chad Parker is the Founder & Executive Director of GOYA Ministries. After traveling to Kenya in April of 2006 and working with Shadrack in the slum of Mitumba, he returned to the US and founded GOYA Ministries. Today, Chad provides strategic vision for the organization and oversees project coordination and solution implementation. Through a partnership between GOYA Ministries and the Midwest Food Bank, Chad co-founded the Midwest Food Bank East Africa Division and serves on it's board of directors. He is working with the Food Bank to establish a crocodile slaughterhouse and an enormous soybean farming operation to improve protein intake in the diets of the people we serve in Kenya. Chad is also the President and CEO of Cybernautic, Inc, a web design company with offices throughout the state of Illinois. He received the 40 leaders under 40 and 20 leaders under 40 award. Under his guidance, Cybernautic earned the Small Business Excellence Award. Chad also serves on the Eldership Team at Eastview Christian Church. He loves spending time with Roxy his wife, and his children Waverly and Brecken.
Board Secretary
I was drawn to GOYA because of the passion and energy I witnessed the first time I talked with Chad Parker. I felt that this was something God was going to bless and that he was calling me to jump on the bus. I have been drawn to Kenya since I was 8 years old and some missionary nuns came to my church and gave a presentation on their work in Kenya. The most important thing GOYA is doing is making a difference in a very dark place by helping children with healthcare and education and giving them the lifesaving message of the Gospel. My goal as a board member is to be an encourager and cheerleader and to share my international experience in a way that benefits the ministry. As I've said, Kenya is a big part of my heart; along with that is Russia. I never intended to fall in love with Russia, but God had other ideas in mind. I have lived and traveled extensively overseas, mostly with a goal of sharing the Gospel with others.
Board Member
Mark joined the GOYA Board of Directors in April of 2015. As the Pastor of Finance at Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington, IL, he brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom as we strive to be good stewards of our resources. He and his wife, Rita, have two sons, and outside of their involvement at Eastview and GOYA enjoy camping, playing games and gardening. One of Mark’s favorite guiding passages is Proverbs 3:4-5 because it constantly reminds him to rely on God for direction in all areas of his life.
Board Member
Mike has been a member of the GOYA Board of Directors since January 2014. He brings expertise and training to our Kenyan staff in charge of the cleaning and general maintenance of our buildings. He is inspired by his grandma’s unconditional love, quiet strength and perseverance through tough times without complaint. He prefers to be found outdoors doing anything from gardening to playing catch with his nephews, to grilling out. As long as he’s outside, he’s happy. His go to verse is Micah 6:8 “…to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Board Member
Mark Lockett was most recently the CEO and President of Creative Sites Media, Inc. (CSM), a Bloomington-based creative application development and event production company that had operated for over 20 years. In 2021, CSM was acquired by AGCO, and Mark now serves as a Sr Product Engineering Manager with Precision Planting. His creative career began as a signed, touring musician with Christian band "The Normals" (ForeFront Records, Nashville TN), 1998-2002. During his touring career, Mark began CSM from the road. The transition to creative development was a lateral move from the live production and recording industry, as both have similar structure for building and producing. The development started with fellow artists/bands, then booking and management agencies, then record labels. CSM served some of the largest companies in the world with ongoing creative application development, including AGCO, John Deere, Climate and Monsanto/Bayer. Lockett continues to passionately provide large-scale event production, including the Goya annual banquet and the Chamber of Commerce Gala. In 2015, CSM had the opportunity to provide internet services to the REM school in Kenya through GOYA. After an impactful personal visit in person in the fall of 2017, Mark and his wife Dawn committed to serving on the …
Board Member
Dale’s first trip to Kenya was in response to his daughter’s request to chaperone a GOYA short term mission trip when she was 15. A week spent building desks at the high school in Ngong and visiting the schools in the slums fostered a connection that has been strengthened on every subsequent trip. Dale joined the board in 2021 after retiring from a successful 36-year career with State Farm Insurance. His experience in management and strategic planning along with participation and oversight of boards in various non-profit arenas makes him a great addition. GOYA’s focus on pairing education with the truth of the gospel while meeting food and shelter needs speaks to Dale as he spends time mentoring marginalized teens in his own community and leading in the high school small group ministry at Eastview Christian Church. To God be the glory in all things.
Partnering Ministry Founder and Director
Partner Ministry Founder
REM Board Chair
REM Board Member
REM Board Member
REM Board Member
REM Board Secretary
REM Board Member
REM Board Member