MADE IN THE STREETS
  • Home
  • What We Do
    • About MITS
    • Our Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Programs >
      • Streets
      • School
      • Sending
    • Contact
    • Resources
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Join Home Team
    • Serve in Kenya >
      • Onboard
    • Intern
    • Give Back
  • Blog
  • Donate

Meet Brad | MITS' New Executive Director

1/18/2017

10 Comments

 
We'd like to introduce you to Brad Voss, who has joined the Made in the Streets team in the new year as our brand new executive director! Based on what we've seen so far, we are certain that Brad is the right person to lead MITS into a new season of growth over the coming years.

Check out Brad's responses to five questions that shed some light on why we think he's so awesome (and think you will too!), then read on to catch the rest of his bio. 

#1: How did you first hear about MITS? 

Picture
I first heard about Made In The Streets from my friend Reg Cox after his visit back in the 90s.  Over the last 20 years I had heard things about Charles and Darlene and their work in Nairobi, but we got to know a lot more about MITS in the last few years when we met Brenda and Troy McAdoo.  In fact, our son has gotten to be good friends with Brenda and Troy’s kids via the youth group at The Hills Church in Southlake.  In the last few years, following trips to West Africa and Rwanda, I was feeling a strong calling to use my ministry and business experience to serve with a non-profit who was doing work in Africa.  I was so excited when I finally got the chance to sit down and talk about the work of MITS with Charles and Darlene because we immediately hit it off.

#2: What is a book, author, or person who has changed your life?

I remember reading an article about Bono’s (from the band U2) first visit to Africa back in the mid-80s.  Bono, who was already a big rock star at the time, and his wife, Ali, spent six weeks working at an orphanage in Ethiopia.  Even at 14 years old, I was so moved by that article that I decided right then that someday I would go work in Africa - my first visit to Africa happened 25 years later.  Over the last 30 years, Bono’s focus on service and support in Africa has greatly influenced my life; along with books like Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, The End of Poverty by Jeffery Sachs, Phillip Gourevitch’s tragic book about the Rwanda genocide, and everything written by Brennan Manning and Henri Nouwen.  Oh, and Darrell Gruder’s Missional Church and Shaping of Things to Come by Frost & Hirsch radically changed my view on church as mission.

#3: If you could tell our donors/sponsors one thing, what would it be?

We need your help.  I know that sounds simple, but it’s so true.  The United Nations estimates the current number of children living on the streets around the world to be somewhere around 150 million.  By the year 2025, some reports suggest that this number could double to over 300 million kids living on the streets worldwide.  That’s such a huge number!  The challenge of loving, serving, and transforming the lives of those street kids is so big, but the number of people who could help is also really big.  Frankly, we need as many people as possible to give financially; to donate their time; to visit MITS in Kenya; and to pray along with us that God will use all of us to make a huge difference in the lives of many, many, many street kids.

#4: If you could tell our students one thing, what would it be?

Picture
Picture
I guess I would tell them the same thing I would tell kids here in the United States, and that's actually three things.  I would tell them, “You are loved; You are not alone; and It’s not all about you.”  

I know that growing up is very hard and growing up on the streets is probably beyond the comprehension of most people.  It is so important for these kids (as well as my own) to know that there are so many people out there that love them.  

And it’s also important for them to hear and know that they are not alone.  There are other people in this world who are willing to walk beside them and be in community with them.  

​But it’s also just as important for them to know that ultimately it is not about them.  Regardless of their past circumstances, God wants to choose them and transform them so that they can help and serve others.

#5: If your family were a baseball team, what positions would everyone play?

Picture
That’s a funny question, because we love watching the Texas Rangers, but I don’t think any of us have ever actually played baseball.  

So I guess I would probably play first base because it’s the closest to the dugout and I am definitely the most flexible.

My wife would be on the mound because she’s an incredibly creative artist - she could likely come up with some creative 35mph split-finger, sliding curve ball that rotates backwards - and no one would be able to hit it.  

My son would probably either play in the outfield because he can cover a lot of ground, or catcher so that he could tell his mom what pitches to throw (which she would likely shake off).  

​And my daughter would be our shortstop because although she is the shortest, she always wants to be in the middle of the action.  Not sure if we would ever win a game, but we would sure have fun - at least for an inning or two.

Brad's Bio

Picture
Since 1995, MITS has been carrying out a mission to love and serve at-risk youth on the streets of Nairobi by meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs, loving them fully, equipping them to earn a living and sending them out to a new life. We've learned a lot about what works and doesn't work in street ministry over the last twenty years. Charles and Darlene Coulston have taught us what it looks like to keep Jesus' ministry at the center of everything that we do.

​That's one reason we're so excited to welcome Brad Voss to the team. 

Brad comes to MITS with twenty years of valuable experience of his own—as a youth minister, preacher, consultant, and leader. Brad is passionate about developing the natural skills and talents of our team, so that together we can achieve our mission to love and serve street kids, in Kenya, across Africa, and around the world. 
While developing his professional skill set, Brad also devoted himself to working with youth and serving with nonprofit organizations. For the past 15 years, Brad has spent multiple weeks each year speaking at camps, retreats and youth events across the country.  Brad serves as a director and MC for Group Workcamps Foundation, a non-profit organization providing camp and home repair experiences for tens of thousands of students and adults each year.
Picture
At the same time, Brad and his family have worked closely with several nonprofit organizations, including Touch A Life, His Chase and Global Health Innovations, to support the care and rescue of orphans and child slaves in Ghana and Rwanda.

Brad lives in North Richland Hills, TX, with his wife, Shannon, and their two children, Phoebe and Judson, where they all play an active role in their local church, schools, and community. 

Brad is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, where he earned two degrees: a BS in Communications and a MA in Religion.

10 Comments
Amy Surdacki
1/18/2017 01:13:47 pm

Welcome Brad! May God greatly, greatly bless this partnership.

Reply
Neil Socquet
2/1/2017 05:59:42 am

Amy,

I'd like to help MIT'S a bit more and was hoping you had some time to talk. My email is Nsocquet@gmail.com

Reply
Simon link
1/26/2017 05:00:49 am

Awesome! I have a burden for street children. I

I serve in the children ministry at Nairobi Lighthouse Church. I also serve as PR Head of Department for a CBO by the name Camp of Hope. We have an initiative called Jaza Lorry that we do once every 3 months where we go to people's houses and collect, clothes, books, shoes etc in which we sort and give out to various homes. We will definitely remember you guys in our next Jaza Lorry, end March.

Personally, I would love my company Rated Fun Ventures to support MITS. I will visit soon and see where the company can be of benefit to you guys!

An awesome job y'all are doing. Indeed your great reward is from God, our loving Father.

Reply
Brad Voss
2/1/2017 02:35:32 pm

Thanks so much for your encouragement and support Simon! Blessings to you and your ministry!

Reply
Sherry Stein
2/1/2017 07:03:00 am

Brad, I am so excited you will be working with MITS. You will be a great asset to this work. I'm sure Shannon will have some great ideas too!

Reply
Brad Voss
2/1/2017 02:26:10 pm

Thanks Sherry! I am excited too! I know we can all work together to make a difference for street kids in Nairboi and around the world.

Reply
Rachel Doyle
2/2/2017 06:10:02 am

Welcome to the team, Brad! I know you'll love working with such a brilliant group of people and I know you'll be a blessing for them as well. God bless you and your family.

Reply
Brad Voss
2/2/2017 12:12:06 pm

Thanks Rachel! You are so right - the MITS team is truly Awesome! Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!

Reply
Randy Randall
2/9/2017 05:33:57 am

Thank you for coming on board to work with MITS. Great program with positive results.

Reply
Agatha P link
12/15/2020 12:32:50 am

Hello mate great bblog

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    When you do this for 27 years, you're bound to pick up a few stories and lessons along the way. Thoughts, impressions, news, and highlights from our staff, visitors, donors, students and alumni.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All
    20th Anniversary
    Alumni
    Brad
    Charles
    Donors
    Eastleigh
    Ethiopia
    Events
    Giving
    Graduates
    Handmade Tour
    Interns
    Into The World
    Kamulu
    Kenya
    Life At MITS
    Mission Specialists
    Nashville
    Newsletters
    Photography
    Sponsorship
    Streets
    Students
    Student Stories
    Summer
    Updates
    Videos
    Visitors

    have you
    ​read our newsletter?

    Catch up on our latest newsletters below, and then subscribe to make sure you never miss another
Join the Mission and Stay in Touch 

* indicates required

CONTACT     RESOURCES     BLOG     CAREERS
Picture
MADE IN THE STREETS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Federal Tax ID #20-4044723
​409 Franklin Road   |   Brentwood, TN  37027  |   ©2023 MADE IN THE STREETS  |  site by cecily  |  PRIVACY POLICY
  • Home
  • What We Do
    • About MITS
    • Our Team
    • Our Board
    • Our Programs >
      • Streets
      • School
      • Sending
    • Contact
    • Resources
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Join Home Team
    • Serve in Kenya >
      • Onboard
    • Intern
    • Give Back
  • Blog
  • Donate