OUR LEADERSHIP

 

ERIC FRY

PRESIDENT
 
Eric Fry served at Fellowship Bible Church for almost 10 years before stepping into the role of President of UP Global Network. During that time, he filled the roles of Worship Pastor and Campus Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church. Eric has a deep heart for seeing the Gospel spread and believers being discipled. He is married to Abby and they have three children.
 

REX BONAR

FOUNDER & STRATEGIC DIRECTOR
 
Dr. Rex Bonar served at Olathe Bible Church for 28 years prior to launching UP Global Network. During that time, he filled the roles of Lead Pastor and Missions Pastor at Olathe Bible Church. Rex has served alongside missionaries and national leaders in over 50 countries. He is married to Susan and they have two grown children and two grandchildren.
 

PAULOS ASSEFA

STRATEGIC DIRECTOR 
 
Paulos brings years of missions and ministry experience. Originally from Ethiopia, Paulos is passionate about reaching the people of Ethiopia. He has been developing relationships with mission partners, shaping global ministry efforts, and leading teams to Ethiopia multiple times a year for almost ten years. Paulos and his wife have three children.
 
 
 

MARY GEISLER

ACCOUNTANT
 
Mary has lived in the Kansas City area for 35 years, moving from Iowa. A career accounting professional and CPA, she retired in 2018 and now volunteers with UP Global to provide accounting assistance. Her involvement and heart for missions has taken her to Haiti, Panama and Ethiopia. Mary’s two children and their families live in the KC area, and she loves her time with them.
 

SARAH WONNELL

PEACEFUL GENERATION
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR 
 
Sarah volunteers with UP Global connecting sponsors with the kids at Peaceful Generation in Key Afer, Ethiopia. Sarah and her husband Rob have four boys and love enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. She loves to see people connected through food, good communication, worshiping together and serving one another. 
 
 
 
 
 

 

OUR BOARD

 

GARY KLAUSSEN

BOARD CHAIRMAN
 
Gary is the North American Director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs for Thermo Fischer Scientific. He serves as a deacon for Journey Bible Church in Olathe, KS. He and his wife have two daughters and three grandchildren and are deeply interested in missions.

 

ERIC FRY

BOARD MEMBER
 
Eric stepped into leadership at UP Global Network in January 2021. He previously served as Campus Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church. Eric has led and been involved in many missions trips and initiatives. God continues to use those experiences in his role at UP Global. 
 

PAUL EWING

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Paul founded Prosperity Advisors, a financial planning firm, in 1989. Paul is also the founder of Living Waters Canoe Ministry and serves on the Board of Directors for Overland Park Regional, Mission Southside, and Christian Youth Theater. Paul has previously held the role of the South Asia Regional Director for missions at Olathe Bible Church.
Chris
 

CHRIS TATHAM

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Chris is the Chief Executive Officer of ETC Institute, an international firm that collects and reports data from companies and governments. In addition, Chris has been leading mission teams to Panama for almost ten years. Chris also serves as the Missions Pastor at Journey Bible Church.
Rex
 

REX BONAR

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Rex is the Founder of UP Global Network. Rex has been in ministry for 40 years. During that time he filled the roles of Lead Pastor and Missions Pastor at Olathe Bible Church. He has led teams around the world, including India, Panama, Ukraine, and Africa.
Susan
 

SUSAN BONAR

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Susan has over 30 years of ministry and missions experience. She also brings her business experience to UP Global Network. Susan has been a realtor with Reece and Nichols since 2001. After raising two kids in the Kansas City area, she is now very much enjoying being a grandmother.
Jason
 

JASON REISWIG

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Jason is the President and Founder of Missions in the Amazon. Missions in the Amazon is a non-profit organization bringing holistic transformation to villages throughout the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest by forming sustainable, missionally-minded communities led by indigenous leaders.
 

MARY GEISLER

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Mary currently volunteers as the Accountant for UP Global Network. She retired from a career as an accounting professional and CPA in 2018 and now loves to volunteer her time and talents. When she’s not organizing numbers and keeping things straight for UP Global, chances are you will find her spending time with her kids and grandkids.
 

DAVE ELLIS

 BOARD MEMBER 
 
Dave Ellis-Dave worked 30 years at Johnson County Community College. He was a Counselor/Adviser. He retired in June 2019. He has been married 43 years to his wife, Georgann. They have three children and six grandchildren. He attends Colonial Presbyterian Church and is on the missions committee. He has traveled on mission trips to India, Kenya and Malawi.