We share God’s love through the gift of clean, safe, drinking water. We provide under-resourced communities around the world with long-lasting water filters, forge and nurture new relationships with Jesus Christ, and inspire holistic change through discipleship training.
We lead with love, offering the gift of clean water freely, without bias, because our only goal is to help people – in whatever way they’re ready to receive it.
The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 785,000,000 people around the world lack access to clean, safe, drinking water. Over 800,000 die every year due to health complications caused by unclean drinking water. 300,000 of those are children under the age of five.
This reality of clean water scarcity is commonly endemic to regions of the world that also have very limited exposure to the Gospel. Where there isn’t clean water, there usually isn’t any Living Water, either.
The mission of The Bucket Ministry is to provide underprivileged communities around the world with both.
When we first meet an individual’s physical needs, they become much more open and receptive to their spiritual needs being met as well. It’s through this model that we’ve been able to watch God move in the hearts of thousands around the world and help end the physical suffering of even more.
The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 785,000,000 people around the world lack access to clean, safe, drinking water. Over 800,000 die every year due to health complications caused by unclean drinking water. 300,000 of those are children under the age of five.
This reality of clean water scarcity is commonly endemic to regions of the world that also have very limited exposure to the Gospel. Where there isn’t clean water, there usually isn’t any Living Water, either.
The mission of The Bucket Ministry is to provide underprivileged communities around the world with both.
When we first meet an individual’s physical needs, they become much more open and receptive to their spiritual needs being met as well. It’s through this model that we’ve been able to watch God move in the hearts of thousands around the world and help end the physical suffering of even more.
We accomplish this goal through our unique four-step process:
We hire local missionaries, pastors, and laborers from within the very community we’re serving. We do this so the people carrying out this mission are the friends, neighbors, and family of the people on the receiving end of it. Only local leaders can truly navigate the cultural and social nuances that outsiders often miss. And because it’s their home, they’re uniquely positioned to commit long-term to the community’s physical and spiritual transformation.
What’s more, we support our ministry teams often above the local average salary, so hiring locally also serves as a boon to their economy.
We use the Sawyer PointONE Hollow-Fiber Membrane Filter or the Sawyer “Squeeze” Filter. It will effectively remove all bacteria, parasites, protozoa, cysts, eggs, and other harmful particulates from unclean drinking water, down to 0.1 micron in size, for over twenty years or one-million gallons. This filter utilizes the same sophisticated technology as kidney dialysis – capturing all potentially harmful pathogens in a densely-braided cluster of straws – rendering almost any color and quality of water safe to drink.
It attaches to virtually any water receptacle, but we use five-gallon buckets for their simplicity and availability. It is also threaded, so it can be attached to almost any plastic water bottle.
This filter contains no replaceable parts, nor does it require professional servicing. The recipient family merely needs to “backflush” – forcing clean water in the opposite direction of the natural flow of the filter with a kit-included plastic syringe – the filter once a day to optimize its performance and longevity.
In partnership with Hope College, we conducted a study on the effectiveness of this filter in an urban slum environment. Our friends at Hope College studied the distribution of 10,000 filters to 10,000 families living in one of the largest slums in Africa: Kibera. Of those 10,000 families, 52.7% presented with chronic diarrhea as a result of unclean drinking water. Three months following the distribution of these water filters to each family, that figure had shrunk to 2.2%.
Well, while there are many solutions to this problem, the tool we use affords us the unique opportunity to develop a personal relationship with each recipient and share the gospel with greater intimacy and boldness in their home. The filter serves as a key that opens previously locked doors and helps establish immediate relational equity with the recipient.
The gospel message we share is simple, couched in the same language we use to explain the utility of the filter, and goes a little something like this:
In every nook, cranny, and corner of our organization, we prioritize financial transparency so our donors can feel confident that their hard-earned resources are truly changing lives around the world. It’s in this spirit that we created Mission Mapping.
Mission Mapping is the proprietary GPS enabled software developed for and championed by The Bucket Ministry. This platform allows us to track every bit of work we do, every minute, every day, everywhere.
It all starts with a barcode on a filter. At the point of filter distribution, we scan the barcode and deliver the gift of the filter to the recipient family. We then collect baseline data on the family’s physical and spiritual health to begin to chart their progress after they receive a water filter and recurrent gospel shares. This data is then permanently connected to each family and filter via the barcode, and is sent to our office to be analyzed and mapped on our global Mission Mapping dashboard. The data becomes our physical report card.
We use Mission Mapping to accurately and transparently communicate our progress and disbursement of resources with our donors through real-time updates of when work was completed, where it was completed, what the results were, changes in physical health, and changes in spiritual health. Through Mission Mapping, our donors can receive text notifications on the exact moment a family receives their filter and the exact moment our indigenous partners follow up with the recipient family to monitor the maintenance of their new filter and advocate for Christ in their household.
Click here to view our live Mission Mapping dashboard and meet the thousands of recipient families we’ve had the privilege to serve around the world.
We believe that there is only one true and living eternal God who reveals Himself to us as three unique persons:
We believe that God created man in His own image and that He loves us more than we can possibly comprehend. Jesus Christ has proven this love to us by dying on the cross-He defeated death so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
We believe our response to God’s love should be to love Him back with all our heart, all of our soul, and with all of our mind. And we should also love others even as we love ourselves.
We believe that God has uniquely called The Bucket Ministry to share His love through the gift of clean, safe, drinking water, and we believe that our greatest impact-for the benefit of His Kingdom-will be achieved as we train and assist other like-minded ministry partners around the world.
If you feel inspired to join us in bringing clean, safe drinking water and the gospel to the poor and powerless, we invite you to get involved in one of four ways: pray, give, go, or tell. To learn more about each opportunity and discover your role in this mission, click the button below.
We are blessed to have such a diversity of gifts from each one of our board members. God has truly assembled a great team! Many of our board members have been on Bucket Ministry missions and understand our goals from the ground level.
Christopher Beth was born in 1967 on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois to Penny and Edward Beth. Though he might argue that nothing of much significance occurred during his adolescence to early twenties, Christopher will be the first to cite one discrepancy in that: meeting, falling in love, and marrying his high school sweetheart, Sheri. Almost thirty years into their marriage, Christopher and Sheri are just as devoted to each other as the evening they exchanged vows.
They have two children, Savannah and Griffin, and have been blessed with three amazing grandchildren – Eli, Hazel and Slone. Today, Christopher lives in a small town outside Dallas, Texas with his wife and mother–while remaining in driving distance to his daughter (and her family) and son.
Christopher worked for the majority of his life in the pet industry as a business consultant. Though never exactly passionate about this line of work, he nonetheless diligently applied himself to it for almost two decades. However, when his daughter returned from school one day with an opportunity to accompany her on a mission trip to the Brazilian Amazon, he would soon find a cause he was passionate about. Witnessing the abject lack of access to clean, safe, drinking water in Brazil, Christopher felt God breathe life into a ministry he was yet to understand the logistics or reality of. He returned home from the mission trip with a conviction to somehow merge the two great scarcities of God and water into one ministry. Thus, The Bucket Ministry was born.
While The Bucket Ministry started out in the Brazilian Amazon, it is now actively evangelizing and providing water filters to over twenty countries. The mission of the Bucket Ministry is to share God’s love through the gift of safe, clean, drinking water; and Christopher has every intention to realize that mission in every place lacking its spiritual and physical blessings.
Favorite Verse:
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” -Acts 4:13
Kristi Brown grew up in Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in accounting. After working for two major defense contractors, Kristi felt led to quit her job to become a full-time mom. She kept busy during this time by serving on multiple PTA boards where she served as President, Treasurer and various other Chairman positions. Kristi has also served on a variety of other boards in the Greenville area.
Kristi and her husband, Tom Brown, live in Greenville, TX. They have two grown children, Karen and Zachary. Their daughter works full-time for TBM. Their son Zachary has autism and has taught Kristi many things including giving her a heart for those with special needs.
Kristi was fortunate to grow up in the church and became a Christian when she was 8 years old. Kristi loves going on mission trips with TBM and seeing how people’s lives are changed through receiving both the filter and the good news of Jesus Christ. She is also inspired by the local TBM partners who give so much to their local communities around the world.
Jeff was born in Iowa and then moved to Houston, Texas while he was still in grade school. Jeff graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he majored in business administration. After graduating from college, Jeff moved to the Dallas area where he enjoyed a long business career as the president of Oceanic Systems, Inc., a manufacturing company he co-founded.
Jeff met and married his wife Lynn in Dallas and they have called nearby Rowlett, and then Rockwall home for over forty years. Jeff and Lynn are active members of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall. Jeff has served in youth ministry, international missions, immigrant ministries, and as a church elder. In 2016 Jeff was asked to be a founding board member of The Bucket Ministry. Jeff almost said “no” to this opportunity because he was not sure that he had time to serve in this capacity. After saying “yes”, Jeff soon felt called to leave the business world behind and began serving as a “full-time” volunteer for the ministry.
Over the years, Jeff has traveled to many countries and served with The Bucket Ministry in several different roles. Jeff loves helping people and has a passion for sharing this ministry and its story with others.
Roy Stacy was born in west Texas, and was raised in the Baptist Church where his father was a Deacon. They were one of those families who went to church every time the doors opened. At age 12 Roy was baptized in a small Baptist church, and began his relationship with Jesus Christ.
After attending Angelo State University, Roy graduated from Baylor Law School and began practicing law in Dallas in 1975 where he was Senior Partner of his law firm for more than 45 years. Currently, Roy is semi-retired, but is still Of Counsel with David Allen Law Group in Dallas.
Roy and his wife Amanda have attended Lakepointe Church in Rockwall since 1995. For several years Roy has served as one of the teachers of his Life Group.
Over the years Roy has been on several mission trips with Lakepointe Church, including to Egypt, Cuba, and Mexico. He has also traveled with The Bucket Ministry to mission fields in Kenya, Nepal, and the Amazon.
Several years ago Chris Beth demonstrated the water filter to Roy‘s Life Group, and then ultimately Chris became a member of that Life Group. That opened Roy‘s eyes to the wonderful tool that is offered by The Bucket Ministry as it provides both clean water, and an opportunity to share the gospel, to people all over the world.
Roy and his wife have lived in Heath, Texas for 28 years and have two children and five grandchildren.
Kim is a Texas native, born and raised in central Texas and a graduate of Texas Tech University where she studied Public Relations & Marketing. Together with their 3 children, Kim and her husband Lex, live in Rockwall, Tx where they have attended LakePointe Church for more than a decade. They are both active in local, national, and international missions.
Kim’s affinity for The Bucket Ministry began when she had the privilege of traveling to Ghana where she shared the gospel in remote villages and passed out buckets and filters. The trip was life changing – everyone should go on mission at least once! The trip to Ghana revealed for Kim, God’s highest purpose for her is to Love God, Love Others and Share the Good News! As an entrepreneur, Kim is blessed to be able to incorporate that into her business mission statement: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3.
Kim Woodul is currently ranked in the top 1% of the top producing individual agents at Ebby Halliday Realtors in the nation. She specializes in both residential and commercial real estate transactions. As a Business on Mission partner with The Bucket Ministry, Kim understands that God has called her to create a business, equipped her with the skills and expertise to establish its success, but solely through God’s provision and blessing He enables its growth. Knowing His hand in all of it is a “rare and beautiful thing” to treasure, and why Kim feels called to give back and serve others.
Shadrack Ruto is the founder and lead pastor of Upendo Baptist Church, and the president of Shepherd Broom Tree Ministries. He is married to the love of his life, Elizabeth, and together they have five children, Mercy, Banessa, Sharon, Matthew, and Asher, and one granddaughter, Niylah. He attended Columbia International University and Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a BA and ThM, respectively.
Shadrack has a passion for mission work–particularly preaching, teaching, and discipleship. He has served in India, Jamaica, Kenya, and the Philippines. He is currently a Board of Trustee Member of Kenya Christian Fellowship in America, Intercultural Advisory Council to Baptist General Convention of Texas, and a board member of The Bucket Ministry.
Shadrack loves a peaceful and fun work environment with people who love to advance the kingdom of God.
Favorite Bible Verse:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3: 5-6
Walt Davis was born in Norman, Oklahoma on January 13, 1949. During his days in public schools he lived in Roswell, New Mexico, Richardson, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana – where he graduated from Fair Park High School. Walt went to East Texas State University where he received his Bachelor of Science, Master’s of Science, Mid-Management Certification, and Superintendent’s Certification for public school teaching and administration. Walt was a teacher, basketball coach, and school administrator for 36 years.
Walt accepted Christ and was baptized when he was 8 years old at First Christian Church in Richardson, Texas. Walt married in 1971 and had two children and now has five wonderful grandkids. Walt rededicated his life to Lord in 1984 after a short time of stepping away from being close to the Lord.
Today Walt and his wife are members of First Baptist Church of Terrell, Texas. Over the years Walt has served as a SS teacher, served on various committees within the church, helped the Upward Basketball Program, and served on numerous community volunteer committees.
His interest and passion is serving on “The Bucket Ministry” as a board member. He believes the Lord has called all of us to help those less fortunate and the mission of “The Bucket Ministry” is provide clean, safe drinking water and to share the Love of God. This is a unique opportunity to be able to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those who might not know who Jesus Christ is.
Walt is also a board member of a mission group called Amazon Revival on the River whose mission is to build churches on the Amazon River and take mission teams to the Amazon. Walt serves as a trip leader and helps take teams to the Amazon River to be able to minister in remote villages. “The Bucket Ministry” has become a vital component of the different ministries we offer on these trips as we are able to help the people who live along the Amazon River have clean water – and learn about Christ.
Walt encourages anyone who has an interest in reaching out and becoming involved in “The Bucket Ministry” to contact us.
Sean Shea was born March 21, 1962 in Naugatuck, CT. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Lyndon State College and graduated with a B.S. in Meteorology. (Yes, studying the weather.)
For the next 30 years his focus and passion has been on selling high technology products in the Nashua, NH area. He started one of the first high tech websites and began to build a data and marketing business that he is the president and founder of that serves B2B technology companies.
Although always able to lead sales teams and perform at the highest levels, the crippling effects of alcoholism took its toll which finally led to a surrender and a new life in recovery with no alcohol or drugs. A process of moving from self-centeredness to helping others had started. Sean enjoys bringing recovery meetings into jails, prisons and medical facilities and serves on the board of directors of the Addiction Recovery Coalition. Today he continues these efforts and participates in a prison ministry in Florida where he moved to 2 years ago.
Seven years ago, devastating serious challenges that seemed insurmountable were faced, leading him to another surrender point; he turned his life over to Jesus Christ.
Sean learned about TBM a few years back while looking for an organization that was doing mission trips to Haiti; his involvement and appreciation of the work that TBM does increased with every interaction from speaking to Jeff Watters, golfing in a TBM fundraiser, going to the Big Event and the life changing 9 days in Kibera Kenya in March of 2022 accompanied by his pastor who baptized him 7 years ago.
Sean has been on several mission trips to Haiti, Brazil, and Kenya. By the grace of God, these devastating life events that seemed insurmountable, that occurred 7 years ago, have been overcome in victory.
Favorite Verse:
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Rick’s business career has been in the custom home building sector. Rick has been married to his wife Kristi for 22 years. Rick and his family have been active members of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall for over two decades. Rick has served in youth ministry and in international missions. Rick and his wife Kristi have been supporters of The Bucket Ministry for many years and in 2022 they were able to go to Kenya in person to meet the Kenyan team of pastors and missionaries and also many of the people they had been able to help. Rick and Kristi have a passion for sharing this ministry and its story with others.
Dan Becker is a former student ministries pastor and business owner now turned outdoor professional and social media influencer. His social influence revolves around hiking and backpacking which has taken him all over the world showcasing amazing backcountry places and the gear he uses. His platforms have reached well over 100,000,000 views and have inspired hundreds of thousands of people to get outdoors. Currently he and his wife live with their 3 children in Kenosha, Wisconsin and are heavily involved in their local church. His true passion however, is to use his influence to lead people to Jesus in any way possible.
Mike was born in Lubbock, Texas, but moved to Austin, Texas where he was raised. Mike graduated from the University of Texas in 1976, where he majored in accounting. He spent his early years as a CPA in public accounting in Midland, Texas, but with the downturn in the oil and gas industry in 1983, he relocated to the Dallas area, and ultimately Rockwall, Texas in 1985 where he finished out forty years in his chosen field.
Mike met his wife, Julie, in 1973 at the University of Texas, and they were married in July 1976. Julie retired from teaching after thirty years. The Lord blessed them with three wonderful daughters, and seven grandchildren, one of whom is with the Lord. Mike and Julie are members of Lake Pointe Church where they have served in the children’s ministry and in their Life Group in the mission’s area and care ministry.
Mike and Julie have supported The Bucket Ministry for a number of years through their Life Group beginning about seven years ago when Julie first heard of their ministry through a friend whose husband was on a mission trip with The Bucket Ministry. This opportunity for Mike to serve on the Board of The Bucket Ministry is such a blessing, and we look forward to what the Lord has planned for us through The Bucket Ministry.
Mike Reid was born on October 4, 1949, in Hillsboro, Texas. He spent most of his life growing up in Fort Worth, Texas graduating from Polytechnic High School. Mike grew up in the Methodist church where he was christened as a baby and then accepted the Lord as his savior and was baptized as a teen.
He graduated from DeVry University with an associate degree in Electronic Engineering in 1971. Mike was interviewed by Southwestern Bell Telephone during his final months at DeVry and hired to start work after graduation. After holding several positions including craft jobs, teaching at the Technical Training Center, managing test centers, process improvement staff, and working on the merger teams (AT&T & Bell South), he retired after 39 years. Hired back as a contractor and worked until September of 2019.
Mike saw a demonstration of the water filter during a meeting for a mission trip to Nigeria with the WE Go Nigeria team. He told the team when he retired, he wanted to go. So, Mike retired on a Friday and traveled to Nigeria that Sunday.
Mike now works as a volunteer for The Bucket Ministry, the We Go Niagara team, Chaplin at Rockwall Texas Health Hospital, and Crisis Coordinator for his Life Group at Lakepointe Church.
He is married to Suzanne, and they have 4 fantastic married children with 6 grandchildren.
The Lord has set this Ministry in motion to provide clean, safe, drinking water to people across this world enabling them to hear the Gospel and learn about Jesus Christ.
Mike has several verses from the Bible that he holds close. One is Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Jerry White was introduced to The Bucket Ministry in 2017 through a filter demonstration conducted by Bob Gillam and Jeff Watters. He immediately recognized the potential for the filter, when used in conjunction with long-term Gospel sharing and discipleship in underprivileged communities, and wanted to be a part of TBM’s mission in whatever way he could. That day changed the trajectory of his life. Four years later, and Jerry now plays in integral part in accomplishing TBM’s mission in Africa– serving as a full-time volunteer as The Director of African Missions. He is so grateful to be a part of this ministry that answered the call to “Help Them”.
Favorite Verse:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Karen has been working with The Bucket Ministry since 2018. After 5 years working in the defense industry, first in Contracts, then in Export Compliance, Karen went on her first mission trip with TBM to the Amazon River. After seeing the lives changed, both in health and in Spirit, Karen knew God was in this ministry and she wanted to be a part of it. Upon her return to the states, Karen met with Chris and his wife, Sheri, to inform them she planned to leave her current job to join TBM team.
Karen serves as the Director of Global Missions with TBM. This involves keeping up to date with their international partners, planning and preparing mission trips, leading trips, training teams (both nationally and internationally), logistics, and everything in between.
Currently, Karen lives in Greenville with her two dogs, Phineas and Oliver. She’s a novice in quilting, an avid book reader, and a student at Fuller Seminary.
Favorite Verse:
“Be still and know that I am God.” -Psalm 46:10a
God brought The Bucket Ministry into Tracy’s life to broaden her vision on what is possible when we surrender ourselves fully to Him.
Tracy says, “God loves to show us a new part of who He is and to totally blow our minds. He likes to show us how remarkable and awesome He can be. I thank Him for the opportunity to be a part of His miraculous work He is doing at The Bucket Ministry.”
Tracy has travelled to The Amazon, Brazil, Nairobi Kenya, and Ciudad Victoria, Mexico with TBM.
Favorite Verse:
“No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” -1 Corinthians 2:9
Matt is TBM’s staff pastor and is passionate about investing in its team and global partners. He works to help identify the unique gifts on TBM’s team and help them maximize and deploy those gifts for God’s glory.
Matt got connected to The Bucket Ministry early on and, as he observed from a distance, he was impressed by how God continued to bring gifted and passionate people to the team who are skilled to fill specific needs.
When he saw the bucket filter in use, he was blown away by how practical it was in both providing an essential physical need, while also beautifully displaying the spiritual need for salvation and new life in Jesus Christ. He joined the TBM staff in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since.
He loves being part of “Sharing God’s love through the gift of clean, safe, drinking water” because he believes the Gospel is good news and the bucket filter provides an incredible opportunity to share hope with a world desperate for a savior!
Favorite Verse:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” Timothy 2:2
Randy has been privileged with a great family and heritage of faith. He has been married to Pam LeTourneau for 35 years and has 4 amazing adult children and 3 fantastic in-laws. Being committed to church and service has always been a priority, so Randy has been involved or lead in many different ministries.
He spent 20+ years working in IT related for-profit companies as well as using his technology experience in serving in several non-profit organizations during his career. Randy was friends with Chris Beth when their kids were friends at school and they both worked in corporate jobs. They both entered into water ministries at a similar time and the relationship blossomed.
When Randy finished a water & gospel project in Liberia, TBM extended an offer to come and do similar GIS and IT work for them. It seemed like a natural fit for both.
A career in global IT, international ministries, and a love for travel has allowed Randy to work in, or travel to, 28 different countries with extensive ministry in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Liberia.
Favorite Verse:
“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35
As the high school sweetheart and wife of Chris, Sheri serves in many different roles. She is the team nurse of TBM and has served in that capacity since its inception, but what most people don’t see is her gentle hand in shaping the man her husband has become. Without Sheri’s support, encouragement, and sacrificial heart, The Bucket Ministry would have reached nowhere near as many people as it has today.
Sheri gave her life to the Lord at an early age at youth camp and has been serving him ever since. She has been on eight trips with The Bucket Ministry and plans on increasing that number each and every year.
Sheri graduated from Kansas University with B.S.N. and has, since the time of this writing, been a registered nurse for twenty-nine years.
Favorite Verse:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
Savannah is the cofounder and Director of Children’s Communication at The Bucket Ministry. After seeing the living conditions of remote Brazilian people groups on a 2012 mission trip to the Amazon with her dad, Christopher Beth, God inspired both to return home and begin thinking of ways to administer aid to underprivileged communities living in Brazil without access to clean water. They arrived at a simple solution: a bucket, a water filter, and a Bible. Thus, The Bucket Ministry was created. Since then, Savannah’s role in the ministry has grown into a director’s position where she seeks out new ways to get young people, VBS programs, and churches more engaged and involved with the ministry.
Favorite Verse:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God ra thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” -Philippians 2:3-11
Griffin is the lead Copywriter, Copyeditor, and Supervisor of Communication at The Bucket Ministry. He writes, edits, and otherwise spearheads the direction of all written communication produced by The Bucket Ministry. If there is a typo or misplaced comma in any of the ministry’s emails, articles, blog posts, website copy, social media copy, advertisements, or letters, he is likely to blame.
Favorite Verse:
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” -Job 38: 4-7
Cory comes to The Bucket Ministry with over thirty plus years in the defense industry. During those years Cory led a large finance organization as the VP of Military Finance for a major helicopter manufacturer in the defense industry. He left that role to serve as a CFO for a mid-size defense firm working with private equity ownership. While Cory has extensive financial & government contracting experience his heart has always been called to ministry.
Cory has served in various roles within the church body. He has held committee positions, taught Sunday School to various ages, and is an ordained deacon. If you ask Cory, one of his joys is getting to pray every Monday with former pastors from his home church in Arlington, Texas (Lake Church). He and his wife, Shannon, (married thirty-two years) attend Flint Baptist Church just outside of Tyler, Texas. Cory currently serves as a monthly nursery worker, member of the Jericho prayer team and substitute Sunday School teacher. Cory was drawn to Missions back in 2005 when he was first approached to go to China on a vision trip. Cory loved it so much he went back the following year with Shannon where they celebrated their anniversary while being on Mission for God.
Cory and Shannon have three adult married children: Ashley Deroche and her husband Christopher, Cory Jr (better known as Jay) and his wife Michelle, and Jordan and his wife, Lindsay.
Cory is passionate about his alma mater, Texas A&M where he loves all things Aggie sports. He enjoys the outdoors and can often be found outside hunting and fishing or piddling around his farm. He is also a BBQ connoisseur and loves to smoke various meats for his family and friends.
Yet, Cory’s greatest passion is following his Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he wants to make famous. The motto from his home church in Arlington rings true for him in that he wants to glorify God and pursue people. He recognizes that his daily choices will impact the future generations and those impacts, either positive or negative, will echo into eternity.
Favorite Verse:
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” -Proverbs 16:3
Jim was born in 1956 the second son of a young US Air Force
family and moved many times as his Dad transferred from one assignment to another .
Having to make new friends from so many different backgrounds pointed the way to a career in sales . In fact his first sales job started at the age of 6 when he walked the county roads going door to door selling greeting cards.
A commission check was a great motivator to learn the skill set needed to become more than your brothers or friends thought possible . It turned out to be the providence of God at work .
He and his wife got married right after high school . Three kids , five grandkids and just short of 50 years together . Guess the sales skills came in handy .
In 1989 Jim started in automobile sales , loved it and made it a career lasting 31 years . Funny thing , it wasn’t about a love for cars, it was a love for people that created that career .
Searching for a way to create significance over success God led him to The Bucket Ministry . He started out making donations but God had a bigger vision . Pastor Matt asked him to join a mission trip to Kenya.
“Next thing I knew I was out of the boat and standing in Nairobi Kenya . I had always dreamed of the chance to go to Africa but it never included the Kibera Slum . “
That trip changed everything .
He just came back from the Kenya Extreme Expedition and is headed to Kenya again in March and July of 2024 .
“I like to think of this as being in service to the KIng ” Being in fealty to the KIng means to do as He commands , go when He says to go and give it your best daily . The plan of the King laid out for you before the foundation of the earth will be greater than you could ever imagine” !
As Dave McDonald says : Have the courage needed to just get out of the boat !
Favorite Verse:
“For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord , plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope . “ -Jeremiah 29:11
Jason has worked eight years in the nonprofit sector in Donor Development. He previously worked as a general contractor and project manager in the oil and gas industry. Working on and off in Africa since 1996, as well as leading mission teams regularly, has prepared Jason for his position at TBM.
Jason has been friends with the Bucket Ministry for four years and has always been deeply impressed with TBM’s transparency and use of technology in regard to their work.
Jason and his wife, Angie, have four children: Daniel, Adriana, Reagan, and Logan.
His favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
James Adeyemi Ajagbe was born on January 13th, 1984, in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. He resides in Bassa, seven kilometers away from Jos City with his wife, Hope, and their two children, King James Jr and Jemimah. He obtained his first degree in Physics/Electronics from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State Nigeria; a post graduate diploma in Theology from ECWA Theological Seminary Kagoro, Kaduna state; and is presently doing a master’s program in Psychology and Biblical Counseling in the same seminary.
After graduating from the university, he worked as a missionary with the evangelical children and youth organization, Fellowship of Christian Students FCS. After his theological studies, he began working with Evangelical Missionary Society of ECWA (City Ministries of EMS of ECWA) among which he has served as a church planter, classroom teacher, care giver and center leader, trainer, and facilitator of leadership. He’s gone through several leadership and developmental courses and seminars.
He is presently the TBM Director of Nigerian Field Operations. With his growing team of fifteen, they are reaching the world with the warmth of Christ’s love through the provision of safe, clean, drinking water and Jesus the Living Water.
Ronald Rotich is the Director of African Field Missions for The Bucket Ministry. He joined the organization in 2017 and has steered its growth from one village in Kenya to several villages and slums across more than six countries in Africa.
Ronald started with TBM as a driver. However, he soon developed interest in the mission of TBM. After seeing the transformation of dirty water to clear water and the connection of this technology to the gospel message, he fell in love with the organization. From the driver’s seat, Ronald was quickly promoted to a missionary, then Kenyan Director, and finally the African Director.
His assignments at The Bucket Ministry are to identify a mission field, select field missionaries to work there, and train them and help them grow in their position. In addition, Ronald always makes sure that all the materials and support needed by the field missionaries gets to them promptly.
Ronald lives in Nairobi Kenya with his Wife Enid blessed with four kids.
Favorite Verse:
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the window, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you’re to love those who are aliens for you yourself were alien in Egypt. Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.” -Deuteronomy 10:17-20
Nelson Campos is a missionary and photographer. He is married to the love of his life, Adriana, and together they have a daughter, Sophia. He grew up listening to the gospel from American missionaries who visited his church as a child. Nelson always prayed that God would give him the ability to understand English so he could help other missionaries in the Amazon. After learning the language on his own, he started serving as a translator on mission trips. Campos has been a missionary since 2011 and has been using his gifts to show people all the good work that has been done in the Amazon.
He has been part of The Bucket Ministry since day one, and now serves as the Director of Brazilian Field Operations.
Ben Watsala was born in 1989 in Uganda. He is married to his wife, Alice, and together they have three children: David, Daniel, and Dedan. Ben is a self-described Evangelist and Christian storyteller. He was introduced to The Bucket Ministry when he was working at a children’s ministry in Uganda, where TBM was distributing filters and teaching discipleship lessons. Enthused by the work he saw TBM doing, he wanted to get more involved.
Since then, Ben has demonstrated his immense leadership potential and now serves as the Director of Ugandan Fields Operations. As director, Ben supervises assessments, distributions, and follow-ups in Uganda.
