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Every Child, Every Nation, Every Day

Executive Leadership Team

Reese Kauffman

President Emeritus

Raised in a pastor’s home in Indianapolis, Reese trusted Jesus as his Savior at age eight. In 1967 he founded Kauffman Products, Inc., a manufacturer of high-volume metal stampings and components for automotive, appliance and military industries. In 1975 Reese became a member of the local CEF committee in Indianapolis and in 1977 the CEF International Board of Trustees. On October 1, 1989 Reese committed to serve for one year as president and has continued to serve full time since without compensation. Under Reese’s leadership CEF has grown from reaching 1 million boys and girls per year in less than 100 nations to millions of children around the world. God has given him a passion for global evangelism and discipleship among children. Reese’s goal is to keep the ministry on point for future generations. Reese and his wife Linda have three grown children and four grandsons and live on Sanibel Island in Florida.

Moises Esteves

Executive Vice President

I was born and raised in Portugal. There I was saved at age 9 and at age 17 God called me to full-time ministry. In 1993 God led our family to move to the USA to work with Child Evangelism Fellowship. I have served the Lord in CEF in several roles and currently as Executive Vice President. The greatest joy for those who serve at International Headquarters is to do everything we can to help our field staff and volunteers around the world share the Gospel with boys and girls. We have a God-given calling to “tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Psalm 78:4). My wife Maryjane and I have four children and two grandchildren.

John Luck

Assistant to the President, Director of Global Partnership Ministry

I grew up in a church with a long history of working with CEF. My first official association with CEF came when, as a businessman, I was asked to serve on the local committee for CEF of Greater Richmond. I saw God using CEF to impact the next generation for Christ and soon my time and energy were less devoted to my business and more to the work of reaching children with the Gospel. In 2008 I served as volunteer project manager for Good News Across America for Chicago, and continued the following years in Little Rock, Boston, and Salt Lake City. In 2011 I began working full time at International Headquarters. I currently serve as the Assistant to the President and Director of Global Partnership Ministry, working to resource and assist Gospel ministry around the world. I enjoy teaching God’s Word and do so at Headquarters and in missions conferences.

Lynda Pongracz

Executive Director of Education

After serving with CEF 11 years as a local and state teacher trainer, God burdened my heart for a wider training ministry. Although I knew it would be difficult to leave my family and friends on the East Coast, God led me to work with the Department of Education at our International Headquarters in Missouri. My ministry here has enabled me to train workers from around the world and assist in developing curriculum, including The Wonder Book and Wonder Devotional Books. Now as executive director of Education, I have the joy of overseeing our training programs worldwide! How thrilling to realize that.

Fred Pry

Assistant Vice President of USA Ministries

God called me to be a CEF missionary in 2003 after 25 years in the business world. My journey with CEF began as a local director in Pennsylvania. I then accepted the appointment as Virginia state director, followed by joining the staff at International Headquarters in 2015 as Director of Literature. In April 2019 I began serving as Assistant Vice President of USA Ministries. My wife Dawn serves in the Creative Services department. She and I have raised four children, three of whom served in Christian Youth In Action and the fourth continues to volunteer in CEF. It is a privilege to serve our Lord and reach the most vulnerable of society with the Gospel.

Ron York

Executive Director of Support Services

My wife Dee and I were born in Massachusetts and raised in the New England Area. I graduated from Toccoa Falls College in 1997. I first worked with CEF while in college helping to teach and host 5-Day Clubs. We came to serve at CEF International Headquarters in 2001. I started in the Information Technology Department and have served as director of Information Technology, international director of Wonderzone and in 2015 began serving as executive director of Support Services. My wife and I have three children, Amanda, Andrew and Zachary. Our family has enjoyed serving together in sumer ministry opportunities like Good News Across America.

Tony Villanueva

Senior Associate Director, International Ministries

In 2003 God called me to be a missionary to children. After moving my family from Texas to my native Oregon, my wife Dora and I became involved with CEF as volunteer Good News Club teachers. After attending Children’s Ministries Institute in Missouri, I served as a local director, then later as state director. In 2018 Dora and moved to Warrenton, Missouri where I joined International Ministries. In January 2021 I began leading International Ministries as senior associate director.

Dora and I have three grown children who all participated in Christian Youth in Action. It was there that the Lord clearly called me into the CEF family. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many fellow laborers from around the world. I count it an honor and joy to serve the Lord in this fruitful ministry to children. We read in Psalm 40:3, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” All by God’s grace and for His glory.

Peggy Kampmann

Director of Finance

I was born and raised in Iowa and accepted Jesus as Savior at age ten. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting at the University of Northern Iowa, I worked as an auditor for eight years. During this time, I passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. In 1997, God called me to serve at CEF International Headquarters as Chief Accountant. In March 2020, I began leading the Financial Services department. My husband Steve and I have two adult sons. In Jeremiah 17:7 we read, “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” May I continue to trust God as I serve with CEF.