The Director - Joe and his wife, Danita Strong

Nine years ago, my wife Danita and I had our first involvement with the ABRO organization when we hosted our first two Belarussian children. Little did we know how much the children of Belarus would affect the rest of our lives. It is still amazing to see the transformation in the children from the time they arrive to the time they leave their host families. The bonds that are established between the children and their host families are gifts from God that last a lifetime.
As director, one of my main goals is to help as many children as possible come to the United States to be strengthened physically, emotionally, and spiritually. ABRO will continue to touch lives and to bring hope for so many children. I am dedicated to helping the families that graciously open their hearts and homes to these children, the group coordinators that give of their time so freely, and the members of the board who are so dedicated to the mission of this organization.
Danita and I live in Zebulon, NC and have two daughters and two adorable granddaughters. We are members of Hopkins Chapel Baptist Church.
joe@abro.org

Deon Arnold - President: - My family and I began our journey with ABRO in 1997 with hosting our first child. It has been one of the most rewarding and blessed experiences . We have been coordinators of the Hope Mills-Fayetteville area since 1998 and I have been serving on the ABRO board since 2001. I have traveled to Belarus every year since 1997 and seen what an impact it has had on the families in Belarus with their children coming to America. I have seen that we truly are all God`s children. My wife and I have 2 wonderful children and 2 grandchildren, 1 American and 1 Belarussian, and are members of Southview Baptist Church in Hope Mills,N. C. CArnold333@aol.com

Bill Bangham - Founding Board Member: 1995 - He is a photojournalist and writer. He is currently editor in chief of the Commission magazine, published by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1990, Bangham covered children exposed to radiation from the Chernobyl accident who were in the United States for medical evaluation. Among them was Yura Chekhovskiy's daughter. Through the article, he and Yura became friends. Another result of the article was an invitation by the Belarussian government to visit the contaminated zones for a follow-up story. ABRO began during that trip during a prayer session in the Chekhovskiy's flat. Since that time, he has volunteered his time with ABRO. He has personally funded four exhibitions of photographs on the children to raise awareness. His articles on and photos of the children have appeared in over100 publications in the U.S. and Europe. WBangham@aol.com

Donald Dawson – Board Member 2003 - Donald has worked with the Belarussian Children’s Program through the Little River Baptist Association since 1995. He has served as Coordinator or Secretary of the Little River Group since 1997. He and his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Meghan, have hosted several Belarussian children in their home. He has made 2 trips to Belarus, Christmas 1996 and Christmas 1999. He, and his daughter, Meghan, have been instrumental in involving many families in the ABRO ministry.
Donald is a retired Principal. He served the children of Cumberland County for 34 years as teacher, assistant principal and principal. He and his family attend Friendship Baptist Church in Bunnlevel, North Carolina.

Carsie Denning - My wife and I have been involved in ABRO since 1995. After we hosted our first child in 1995, we could not help but want to do more to help the ABRO Program. I look forward to seeing the program grow over the years to help reach more and more of the poeple of Belarus. carsiejr@carsie.com

Denise Perry - Board Member 2006 - My husband, Wes, and I have been involved with ABRO since 1995 when we began hosting children. The first child that we hosted is now a chaperone for the ABRO program. Over the years I have served as a group coordinator and assisted with the medical evaluations. My first visit to Belarus was in 1997 and my husband and I returned in 2004 to visit with all of the friends that we have developed strong bonds with over the years. There are many children and adults in Belarus that I love and the list grows every year. Because of ABRO we have formed many friendships with Americas as well. I have seen God’s hand at work in this ministry many times and have truly been blessed to be a part of it.
I am currently employed as North Carolina Division of Public Health Pharmacist Consultant and Wake County Human Services Pharmacist.  Wes and I have been married for 22 years and are members of Wakefield Central Baptist Church in Zebulon, NC.

Pello Duncan -I was born in Person County, NC. I became a Christian in the early 50s while living in Florida. My 20 year career in the USAF carried my wife Marie and me to several locations of service. Subsequent to that period of my life, I was employed by local government. Marie and I have worked on disaster relief with the NC Baptist Men and have been on several other mission trips. We began to host Belarussian children in 1998 and have done so each year since. Some years we have hosted two children and a chaperone. Marie and I have been to Belarus several times with the Christmas group. Being a part of ABRO has been a great pleasure and blessing.

George Fleshman - He is currently employed by Branch Banking & Trust in Richmond as a Regional Mortgage Processing Manager. His banking career extends over 13 years. Prior to that he was in the heavy industrial construction business for about 27 years. These years were spent with the shipyard in Newport News and at Virginia Power. In addition to this, he worked 10 years teaching adult education in night school. His real estate license in on inactive status and he holds a CMI (Certified Mortgage Investor) designation. On his birthday in November, he will be 62 years old. He and his wife are members of Cambridge Baptist Church and have been there for the past 20 years. While at Cambridge, he served as Group Cordinator for one year and have been actively involved for 3 more years in various capacities with the ABRO program. Serving as owner's representative at our church during the renovation and addition to the church plant was very enjoyable. This was about a two year project. He was invited on the ABRO Board spring 2001. Serving the needs of others is what he does best. His Christian life started 50 years ago and his marriage began 39 years ago. Both are wonderful. On a more personal note, I collect crystal dinner bells. gfleshman@bbandt.com

Ellen Ross - I have been involved in ABRO since 1995. After my husband and I hosted 2 lovely girls in 1995, hosted chaperones the next couple of years along with 5 trips to Belarus through ABRO. My love for the children and the country was immediate. It remains the same today. I was asked to serve on the ABRO board 9 years ago. I continue to serve as I watch the dedication and unity of the board along with its main purpose of helping as many children as possible. I am a wife (soon to be 40 years) mother,grandmother, and a great-grandmother. I am 100% behind the efforts of ABRO and its commitment to what it doing for the children of Belarus. After past years of working in pediatric oncology I also realize the benefit of bringing these children out of the radiation area. This is God's work and I see it no other way. Eerosfam@aol.com