Pastor Paul Nyende was born and raised in Mawanga, Uganda where he felt called to serve his village community as a pastor over 30 years ago. Paul recognized his community was plagued by HIV/AIDS and committed himself to serve the widows and orphans impacted by the disease.

Together with Kelsey, they began ROWAN in 2008 with big vision and God’s direction. Pastor and his wife Edith have 8 children and over 10 grandchildren.

Kelsey is the co-founder & visionary behind ROWAN. Her responsibilities include coordinating teams, networking, fundraising & working as the head spokesperson.

She was born & raised on a ranch in California. After accepting Christ as a teenager, God gave her a unique desire to serve in Africa. In 2002, she ventured to Mawanga, Uganda, on her first mission trip. Little did she know that would be the beginning of a lifelong calling to build God’s Kingdom in Africa. Traveling to more than 17 countries in the last eight years, Kelsey has developed a passion & zeal for every nation, tribe & tongue. But if you ask her today, she would say her heart is “always in Uganda.”

Kelsey holds a bachelors degree in Human Communication from Colorado Christian University & a masters in International Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver. She lives with her husband Thaddeus in Colorado & frequently ventures to Uganda as she serves full time with ROWAN.