The following stories pay tribute to ER heroes – those who have lived sacrificially in order to serve others. We hope you are inspired by their lives.

Today we honor the life of Joe Wendel. Joe and Julie, his wife, have invested deeply into the lives of countless people by loving them deeply, seeing opportunities for life change, and actively pursuing them.

Joe, 52, of Noblesville, IN, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully in his sleep following a cardiac event on May 16.

From an earthly perspective, we’re heartbroken at Joe’s passing and we ask that you pray for Julie and his sons Luke and Jake.

From a spiritual perspective, we celebrate Joe’s unflagging love for God and people. He was a strong supporter of ER staff members, our programs and Leader Mundial. Joe and Julie created the 7 Silos Foundation to help people worldwide.

“Joe will be greatly missed by so many,” shared ER Mobilization Director Ruth Harris “But knowing he is healed and joyful in heaven with Jesus brings peace in the midst of the sadness.”

“We often say our lives have a ripple effect,” said Brad McKenna, ER President & CEO. “Joe’s life certainly did, in the most positive way.

“He lived with a selfless generosity that was unmatched. He has been a significant friend and ministry partner to ER. This is a very personal loss for people close to our ER family and many of our partners. I will personally miss him.”

Jerry Carnill said he and Dawn (ER Co-Founders) deeply appreciated Joe on many levels.

“Joe and Julie started volunteering on ER Christmas teams. Then we invited Joe to be a part of Leader Mundial. That’s when I got to know him well. Friendship always grows through shared experiences,” Jerry said.

“Over the years, we’ve had tons of shared experiences with Joe and Julie, including ER visiting projects and people. Because Joe traveled to the ministry sites and personally talked with people, he heard their stories, saw their needs and realized the potential for life change was great.

“Joe was all about investing in people. He called it capacity-building. He did this by giving of his time, money and wisdom. He helped ER as an organization build capacity to reach more people.

“He always took time to listen, ask questions, ask questions and listen,” Jerry said. “The reason I said ‘listen’ first is because Joe would listen to you as you talked and then he would ask follow-up questions and then he would listen again. Sometimes he would stop and pray for you right there in the moment.

“While Joe was incredibly generous, giving is not his legacy. It’s his love for people and the way he saw everyone uniquely. He helped celebrate that.

“He loved deeply, loved people well and always took time for individuals. He gave people one-on-one attention. And he always had great advice.

“Joe’s passing has created opportunities to step into the gaps he leaves behind. If you’d like to honor Joe, look around and find people who are serving the Lord and love them well. Listen to them, pray for them and find ways to encourage them toward deeper impact and a closer walk with the Lord, because that was Joe,” Jerry added.

“Joe has been a part of our Global Leader Mundial Community for many years and has invested his life, his resources, his deep wisdom and his love into all of us,” shared Leader Mundial Founder Russ Cline. “Joe modeled for us all what relationship, care, and partnership are all about.”

Thank you, Joe, for your humility, strength and service to the Lord.

Joe’s Obituary

Joseph “Joe” Allen Wendel, 52, of Noblesville, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully in his sleep following a cardiac event on Saturday morning, May 16, 2026. The youngest of two children, Joe was born on June 27, 1973, to Ralph and Linda Wendel in Indianapolis, Indiana. Joe attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he studied engineering, played soccer, and was a member of the Triangle Fraternity.

Joe had a long and successful career in business as the owner of Breakers Unlimited. After taking over the family business shortly after college, he grew Breakers Unlimited into a company with a national footprint. He considered his employees and their families an extension of his own family and cared deeply for the people who worked alongside him.

Joe married the love of his life (AKA The One), Julie Hoffman Wendel. Together they raised two sons, Luke and Jake, who were his pride and greatest accomplishment. Joe and Julie built a family centered around faith, generosity, and the beauty of Jesus Christ. They opened their home at Wendel Woods to countless people, creating a place marked by peace, laughter, hospitality, and restoration. Together, they also helped establish Seven Silos to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to unreached and underreached parts of the world.

Over the course of his life, Joe wrote roughly 200 poems, many of which were assembled into his book, A Life in Poems. In his later years, he spent mornings walking and reciting poetry from memory, often for nearly an hour at a time.

Joe is survived by his wife, Julie Wendel; his sons, Luke (Gabby) Wendel and Jake (Bethany) Wendel; his parents, Ralph and Linda Wendel; and his sister, Dee Ann (Jeff) Marshall. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Joe, contributions may be made to The Signatry, noting “The 7 Silos Fund” in the memo line, 7171 W. 95th Street, Suite 50, Overland Park, KS 66212.

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ER Loses a Great Friend, Pierre Roux

It is with great sadness we share the passing of longtime ER partner Pierre Roux, who led Africa To Asia Innovative Ministries (ATAIM) in South Africa.

The Roux family shared this via Facebook: “It’s with broken and heavy hearts that we share that Pierre Juan Roux peacefully went to be with Jesus on May 5. He fought cancer so bravely for over a year and now he is finally pain free and at rest. God answered our prayers and allowed us to be by his side. We are so thankful we got to spend his final days with him, holding his hands, laughing, and crying.

“No words could begin to express the love, respect and adoration we have for him. An incredible husband, father and a friend to all. What a mighty man of God who has left behind a legacy of obedience to Christ, a passion for the gospel, and a genuine and sincere love for people.”

His daughter Nicole Allen said, “Dad, you fought the good fight, you ran the race, and you kept the faith. You are now made perfect in holiness and stand righteous before the Father. You are with your Savior now and surrounded by glory. Free and at peace. We cannot wait to see you again! Rest well my sweet dad, you will forever be our best friend, our greatest encourager and our hero.”

ER’s relationship with Pierre, his wife Sharon and the Roux family spans more than two decades. Pierre has influenced countless short-term team members, ER staff and volunteers to do more to help highly vulnerable people.

ER Founder Jerry Carnill shared powerful memories of working with Pierre.

“I met Pierre Roux at the Cape Town airport in 1999 when he greeted me on our first trip to South Africa. I went to explore short-term team opportunities for HCJB World Radio teams to help Radio Station CCFM, which was operated though King of Kings Church.

“Pierre was a great host who represented the church and South Africa well. From that first visit we developed a friendship that went deeper over the years. Pierre founded ATAIM, which became a partner ministry of ER. He also attended Leader Mundial.

“Pierre had a big vision. He wanted to reach everyone with the gospel and wanted to see more South Africans actively serving as foreign missionaries. Pierre had a tremendous burden for people living in a desert region of South Africa called the Karoo and specifically the town of Beaufort West.

“His heart was broken by the extreme physical and spiritual poverty in the region. Beaufort West is on a major highway and has several truck stops. Human trafficking, especially of children, is an epidemic there. He fought human trafficking on a national level. He actively encouraged pastors in Beaufort West and had a thriving ministry providing materials for prison chaplains.

“ER has sent Christmas teams to work with ATAIM for many years. Pierre helped orientate ER’s first staff members serving in South Africa and continued to be a friend and servant to our staff.

“When I think of Pierre, I will always remember his unwavering commitment to the people of Beaufort West, his tremendous love for his family, and his amazing prayer life. Pierre had an infectious love for Jesus. Everywhere he went people gave their lives to Jesus and new ministries sprouted. He left love in his wake.”

Pray for the Roux family as they mourn and celebrate Pierre’s life, while continuing his vision at ATAIM.

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Dick Blanc Impacted Pastors, Entrepreneurs and Angel Investors

Extreme Response has lost another great friend. It’s with deep sorrow we share the passing of Richard “Dick” Blanc, 63, who died suddenly of a heart attack on Jan. 19, 2023. Dick was a long-time ER supporter. Dick served on our board of directors for many years. He was a proponent of our work in Ecuador and the Philippines, having traveled to both locations, as well as ER’s Leader Mundial program, where he poured into developing leaders.

During his career, Dick worked as an executive for EDS and Accenture in Dallas, TX. Upon retirement from Accenture, he went on to a faith-based career working with Leadership Network where he worked with church pastors, Cedarville University where he worked to revitalize the business studies department, and the founding of the Beyond Angels Network.

Dick was a strong presence in faith-based investing networks. He had a big vision for building the kingdom through entrepreneurs. He believed scripture-based practices would open doors for business owners and investors to further the gospel and advance the cause of Christ.

Dick is survived by his wife Cyndi, their daughters Katie, Jenn, Emily and Megan, sons-in-law Michael and Scott, his mother Kathy, his brother Doug, and six grandchildren. Please join us in praying for the Blanc family as they mourn his loss.

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Ed Newman’s Legacy: Service and Generosity

(December 2019)

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Ed Newman went to be with his Lord. He had been visiting family in Colorado when he was struck by an aneurysm. Ed, who lived in both South Africa and the U.S., leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to people around the world. See Ed’s obituary here.

Loyal. Generous. Huge heart. Servant. Friend. Mentor. Compassionate. Encourager.

Those are a few of the accolades friends are sharing about Ed Newman, a long-time ER volunteer. If you’ve worked or volunteered alongside Ed, you’ll recall his deep passion for serving others.

Ed invested heavily in changing the plight of people living in poverty and oppression. He was generous not only with his resources, but with his time and talent. He appeared to have endless energy (possibly fueled by coffee and chocolate!), to pour into those who needed help.

From the Heart

“Our good friend Ed Newman passed away on Saturday while visiting his family and grandkids. He has been a part of Extreme Response since it started and helped me out a ton over the past few years in South Africa. – Nick Carnill

“We lost a wonderful friend and co-worker in Ed. We first met Ed when we took a team from Hinsdale Baptist Church (Illinois) to Honduras in 1989 – 30 years ago! Ed started helping Jerry lead work/ministry teams and with anything we needed. He accompanied Jerry on his very first trip to South Africa in 1998. Ed and I lead a couple of women’s teams together. Oh, the experiences we had! Ed was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known. He was always looking for ways to help and to encourage. When I think of Ed, I think of loyalty, servant’s attitude, eating candy for dinner, coffee, getting lost in Cape Town, recycling  chasing birds, and once again – generosity. He will be greatly missed. He’s going to leave a huge hole in all of our lives.” – Dawn Carnill

“Our hearts are heavy. Ed’s huge heart touched so many people. It is such a shock. We’ve thought several times Ed would out live us all. While our hearts are broken, it is awesome to know that Ed is in the arms of Jesus!” – Amy Townsend

“We celebrate his legacy. We will miss him. Our loss is heaven’s gain.” – Ellis Pitman

“Ed Newman = Compassion + Generosity – which he so loyally has shown to ER. I’m so sad he is gone.” – Gina Cline

“Ed sometimes had a gruff exterior, but he had the biggest heart on the inside. Ed wore many hats with ER. He traveled with me to visit partners around the world, he led short-term teams, and recently, he was a mentor, encourager and servant to our staff and volunteers in South Africa. Ed also supported many missionaries, volunteered in local churches and helped with troubled youth. Ed continually sought opportunities to serve others and always went above and beyond expectations.” – Jerry Carnill

“We are so sad to hear of Ed’s passing. Ed went about the father’s business with such humility and humor – from helping out with finances to tirelessly running errands. He was personally my gentle giant on our women’s trips to South Africa. I will miss him tremendously.” – Kelly McClelland

“I’m so thankful to Ed for the many times he served here in Manila. Ed appeared rough and tough, but the more you got to know him, the more you saw a kind-hearted, tender and loving man who simply wanted to serve God and His people with everything he had. We thought we would see him again. But God knows best. He will surely be missed. Ed is home. That’s the most important thing.” – Joshua Benavidez

“It was easy to love Ed because of his kind and loving heart. He was very dedicated with his service to the Lord. We felt appreciated and honored working with him here in the Philippines. He will be forever missed!” – Andrew and Carmel Suarez

“Ed had the kindest heart. He is sweet, loving and caring.” – Richyll Torredes

The ER family extends its condolences to Ed’s family, friends and the servant community he has developed over many years. Watch this space for additional updates.

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Celebrating ‘Aunty’ Pam

By Amy Townsend, Co-Director, South Africa Dream Center (July 19, 2019)

ER’s Amy Townsend shares a heart-felt tribute to Pam Keightley, AKA “Aunty Pam” to thousands of children she poured into at Victory Kids (VK). Pam died in her sleep.

It’s a sad day! But heaven is rejoicing that Aunty Pam has arrived. She will be greatly missed. She walked through the journey with us as we figured out how to start the South Africa Dream Center. She helped us make big decisions. Mostly she was a great encourager and friend. The kids at the Dream Center (and hundreds more) have been blessed to be served by her.

Aunty Pam spent her life in service to the littlest ones of this world, teaching them their worth, loving them, and filling their bellies. Her legacy of VK will continue to shine in her absence. Together, we must work diligently for her legacy to continue.

Pam’s family met recently with the VK teachers and invited us to join them.  The gathering started with a wonderful reminder of Pam’s vision for VK. Each staff member was given an opportunity to share memories of Pam. We all cried and laughed and cried some more.

Going forward the family recognizes it is a huge endeavor to continue Pam’s work. ER plans to continue walking this journey with them and support their decisions. Most of the kids who attend the Dream Center today previously attended VK.

Some of you have asked about donating to a memorial fund. If you would like to give to the Pam Keightley Memorial Fund, click here and designate your gift “In Memory of Pam.” The family is considering options for the donations, but is leaning toward a scholarship program for children.

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Paul Cripps – Faithful Leader, Life-Changer

By Tim Fausch, ER Communications

(Sept. 21, 2015)

There are many ways to measure the value of one’s life on earth, but perhaps the greatest is to consider the lasting impact he or she has on those they encounter.

Paul Cripps, co-founder of ER Canada with his best friend and wife Linda, was someone who had a life-changing impact on the people he touched. Soft-spoken, thoughtful and selfless, Paul was a friend and encourager to people wherever they were in their life journey. And when he met people who were poor, sick, uneducated, abused, abandoned or oppressed, he showed them deep compassion and love.

Hugging Street Kids

“I have had the privilege of spending time in all three of our regions and have witnessed first hand many stories of changed lives. There is nothing more impactful than spending time in a squatter village, or picking up a street kid in need of a hug.”

ER CEO Jerry Carnill shared Paul’s willingness to battle through obstacles in order to serve others:“Paul  set an example for all of us on many levels. He loved his wife, kids and grandkids with all of his heart, yet he also set aside personal comforts to help people in extreme situations. During the past several months Paul served others in extreme heat, with very little sleep while living with physical pain due to sickness. His legacy will live on through the lives of people across the globe.”

Paul did much more than show compassion. He and Linda turned their concern for others into a life mission. They focused everything they had on helping people in very tangible ways.

Russ Cline, ERs Chief Advancement Officer, recently profiled Paul and Linda’s strategic use of their time and resources in the Leader Mundial eNewsletter:

“But the biggest thing they have leveraged has been their lives. Not only do they serve the staff, partners and ER family around the world, but they have invested their lives in relationship. They have visited, they have served, they have helped set vision, they have coached, they have explored, they have listened, they have come alongside so many of us (I speak for many) and just helped us to do better.”

A True Leader

Paul impacted people around the world, including many ER partners who are on the front lines working to help people living in distress. Pierre Rioux, Director of ATAIM, an ER partner that serves indigent people in South Africa, shared this:

“Paul’s approach to life was a huge example to me. He always put others first, in spite of how he felt physically. He never wanted people to know he was suffering. Paul was a true leader that I plan to imitate. I hope I can be half the leader he was.”

ER’s Asia Region Director, Joshua Benavidez, shared this regarding Paul:

“A big guy with a big heart. Thank you Paul for everything you have done for us and the people whom we love so much, especially the kids. You will be greatly missed. You will always be in our hearts.”

Paul and ER Canada were big supporters of the programs in Haiti run by ER partners Lemuel and House of Hope. This Facebook post by the folks at Lemuel captured Paul and Linda’s impact in Haiti:

“Paul Cripps was known and loved by all of us. He had a genuinely compassionate, servant’s heart and we are grateful for all the ways in which he touched our lives and served Lemuel through ER Canada.”

Paul and Linda led volunteer teams to help at-risk people around the globe, introducing hundreds to the concept of serving others cross-culturally. Paul was tireless in his dedication, working long hours at their auto dealership only to come home and work just as hard for ER Canada.

Led by his strong faith, Paul strived to bring hope to the hopeless. Those who knew him would say, “Well done faithful servant, well done.”

Author’s note. It’s rare when you meet people you immediately love and trust. That’s what took place when my wife Deb and I first met Paul and Linda. We saw their character, compassion, selflessness, generosity and willingness to sacrifice and we were inspired. We wanted to be more like them…and still do. Thank you Paul and Linda for living lives that are authentic, and for helping show the way.

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Celebrating Craig Duffield

(Dec. 8, 2016)

The following tributes were provided by ER’s Dawn Carnill and Russ Cline.

Dawn Carnill:

It is with great sorrow that I write. This morning our dear friend and ER partner, Craig Duffield (Mosaic Life – Port Elizabeth, South Africa) has left this world and entered into the presence of his Savior. Please pray for his wife, Carryn and kids, Luke and Sarah. I found this photo (above) of the family taken last year around this time.

Russ Cline:
Craig lost his battle on this earth. Carryn Duffield just shared this post about Craig. Let’s continue to lift up Carryn, Luke and Sarah.

A great man, dancing with Jesus!
A great dad, an incredible husband…
Love you tooo much!
God is good…. His son is home.
Rest in PERFECT PEACE my love.

A Vision for Unity

I met Craig about 16 years ago at a Youth Worker Training in the US. We became friends and I was able to see his church and his work in Port Elizabeth. I also saw  his vision come together to bring youth workers, churches and leaders together in his city, networking together for training and leverage. He taught me a lot about leadership needs in South Africa, and helped me understand the challenges and needs of leaders in that part of the world.

When we started our first Leader Mundial Summit in 2006, he was a natural choice because of his growing organization in Port Elizabeth, and incredible results with community partnerships and impact.

Craig taught us all how to be vulnerable, how to walk through really tough days and how to learn to rely and depend on a group of brothers. His years at the Summit in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Georgia allowed us to get to know him, to enjoy his love for life, for his family, for his country, for sport and for his God.

Craig valued the relationships from the LM Community as well as his partnership with Extreme Response.

I’m sad that he is gone.

I hurt for Carryn, Luke and Sarah and so many others.

I celebrate his life, his legacy, his passion.

He challenged me many times. He shared his life, his family, his country and his joy with me.

He left an impact. He continues to leave an impact. Let’s celebrate his life together.

Watch Facebook and Instagram to see updates on ER’s work around the world.