A goal from the beginning was that a local church in the States would partner with the local church in Sudan (Evangelical Presbyterian Church).
At the time, Vernon was on staff at Stonegate Fellowship (SGF) in Midland, Texas. His desire was to begin the process of facilitating a partnership between SGF and EPC. He started by accepting donations from many generous individuals, churches, and companies. After the funds were raised independently, SGF graciously decided to take on the daily operations cost of the Morobo orphanage (see below) and to help provide training and other supplies. When Vernon stepped down from his position at SGF in 2006 to return to school, the money he had raised was transferred to SGF in order to help with ongoing costs. It has been incredible to see a local church step up and take on such a task. We pray that many more churches will be encouraged by the example of Stonegate.
Vernon and Amber served under the umbrella of Basic Ministries for two years. Basic Ministries has been working in Sudan and partnered with EPC since 2001. This ministry has the like-minded goal of strengthening the local church. In order to work towards this, we are training the Sudanese people in farming, business and in the Bible. This will allow them to learn trades, grow produce and earn money so they can someday support themselves.
His Voice for Sudan is incorporated and works under the 501c3 (non-profit) status.
The Orphanages
Our first orphanage was built in Morobo. It began with 48 orphans, 12 widows (to care for the children), 1 pastor, 1 guard, and 1 farmer. It has grown to 72 orphans, 14 widows, 3 cooks, 1 pastor, 1 guard, and 1 farmer. This is the first time in the lives of these children that they are able to eat 3 meals a day on a consistent basis. It has now grown to 97 orphans and 42 workers, 14 widows, and 4 cooks. On the Orphanage grounds there is a school. Education is a large part of the orphanage. The school is for the orphans and also the local children. This has been such a great outreach. There are currently over 200 children in the school.
Along with the school, there is a Church. The children attend the Church and are overseen throughout the week by a pastor. This has also been a great outreach to the community. During the week the church is a place where people can come from Congo, Uganda and from all over Sudan to be trained in the Bible. This facility also has a medical clinic to meet the needs of the children and a water well.
The land for the second orphanage was purchased in December 2006 in Lura, Sudan. It was built and children moved in shortly there after. It is now the home of 107 orphans and 42 workers , 14 widows, 4 cooks, 1pastor, 1 guard and 1 farmer. This facility also has a school for the orphans and the local children. Lura Orphanage also has a church, a medical clinic and a water well.
A third orphanage and school have also been built, in Yei, Sudan. This orphanage was built in order to form a Secondary School. Both of the Primary School orphanages feed into this orphanage, so that when the children complete the proper education they will move into this orphanage.
To see how we sustain these orphanages financially, please check out the trucking company we started (click here)
Please consider partnering with us in this endeavor. If you are interested, please (click here).
Bios
Vernon and Amber Burger
Vernon Burger is the Founder and Executive Director of His Voice Global. The Lord placed in his heart a desire to care for and minister to orphans and widows. The Lord provided an incredible church in Southern Sudan called Evangelical Presbyterian Church (no affiliation with EPC in America) for him to walk out this desire. His wife Amber works for His Voice Global doing the logistical work from home where she takes care of their two sons, Titus and Justus.
Justin Kitchens
My name is Justin Kitchens and I am the Executive Financial Director of His Voice. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Business minor. Prior to my position with His Voice I worked in the Oil and Gas Industry as an Independent Petroleum Landman for 3 years. In March of 2008 I married my best friend Allison. She is an amazing woman and by far the greatest asset that I bring to the table.
The Lord took hold of me my sophomore year of college. It was during my time at A&M that I was given a passion for ministry as I worked with various organizations and served at my local church. After college I realized that I also enjoyed the business world and putting into practice the skills I had acquired from school. Consequently when offered this position with His Voice there wasn’t much hesitation in accepting it. I look forward to seeing what good works the Father has prepared beforehand for us to walk in as we move forward.
Sarah Beard
My name is Sarah Beard and I am excited to announce that I will be the Promotion Director for His Voice Global. I graduated from Missouri State University in 2004 with a BFA in Photography. One month after graduation I boarded a plane and landed in Sudan with His Voice! I was there for the first orphanage dedication as the team photographer. This trip changed my life and I never expected how much. After returning home, Andrew Beard asked me to marry him. I said “Yes!!” and in July, 2006 we were married! Our goal as a married couple is to see lives changed by God
through the way we love each other. He is my favorite person to do life with.
One of the things I am the most stoked about is building programs so that each person can find a way to be a part of what is happening with HVG. So, If you have any great ideas or want to throw a HVG gathering, I am your girl.
Meet the Board
Mark Semmelbeck
Vice-President (Escondido Resources) - Board Chair
Mark is the Vice President and co-founder of Escondido Resources, an oil and gas production company. He has also started a new company called TexSoSu that is working with Bishop Taban to start businesses in South Sudan. He has his PhD in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. He has been married to Roc'C for 28 years and has two children - Sharee, a music teacher in Houston and Chris, a member of the band Seryn from Denton, TX. "I joined His Voice for Sudan because I felt a strong calling from God to get involved with Vernon in the task of helping the children of Sudan."
mark.semmelbeck@gmail.com
Stan Fikes
President (Value Petroleum Inc) - Board Member
Stan Fikes is President of Value Petroleum, Inc. Stan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology. In 1981 he obtained his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. Stan is on the board because he has always been interested in helping widows and orphans. He has been working with Vernon on projects in Sudan since 2003. His wife Deborah spends part of her time in New York and Washington, D.C. as the Representative of the World Evangelical Alliance to the United Nations.
Sarah Furtado
Accountant (Kinder Morgan) - Board Member
Sarah Furtado is a Financial Analysts for Kinder Morgan, an oil and gas production company. She graduated from Ellis University with a MBA in Finance. Sarah has been married to Andre Furtado for 3 years, they were high school sweethearts. Andre has his Doctorates in Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and is currently practicing at Midland COM Aquatics Physical Therapy Center.
I started helping out with His Voice Global back in 2003 to help out with basic Accounting Functions for amazing friends, Vernon and Amber Burger. I was able to see the true heart of this ministry and was pretty much hooked. His Voice Global's Ministry mimics the true ministry of Christ by loving on orphans and widows to show Christ's love for them no matter who they are or what they have been through. This heart beat is why I love continuing to be a part of this ministry.
Darrell Parish
Board Member
Jan and Darrell Parrish live in Flower Mound, Texas and enjoy travel, camping, hiking and gardening. They have four adult children. Darrell joined the His Voice board after visiting Sudan in 2009 with a team from the Village Church. He is currently attending Redeemer Seminary in Dallas.
“We are excited to be a part of what God is doing through His Voice to serve widows and orphans around the world.”
