This story celebrates the invaluable role Russ and Gina Cline have played in Extreme Response as co-founders. Today, Russ is the Managing Partner of The Barnabas Group and he continues to lead Leader Mundial, a movement of leadership development around the world. Gina is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has served as a Care Coach for ER. They live and work in southern California with their three married children and two grandchildren. Join us as we pay tribute their enormous contributions to ER for nearly three decades.

It all started by saying “yes” to an invitation.

As missionaries in Ecuador, Jerry and Dawn Carnill had seen local families living in squalid conditions in the Quito Dump. Filled with compassion, they decided to launch a kids club. They invited Russ and Gina Cline to join them.

“For me, the question was would I open my eyes and see what’s around me and see the needs,” Russ said. “We were busy doing good things and life was full. It was one of those moments when we were invited to respond. We said yes.”

The Clines were immediately impacted by what they experienced. They responded by asking, “How can we help? We see the need. We see the opportunities.

“Then we held that first Christmas party at the Dump in 1997. We all sat down and brainstormed, gathered our resources, and that’s when God showed up. The food multiplied and people attending responded. It was incredible. At that point we realized God was present here,” Russ said.

“The highlight for me working was the opportunity to use my skills and gifts to serve the poor and make a difference,” Gina shared. “While living in Ecuador we saw poverty every day, we witnessed the poor in spirit and how that was connected to the fact that their basic needs were not being met.

“I was able to use my organizational skills in planning events to bring joy and a respite from the heaviness of daily life for those living in the Dump. We introduced ER’s work to our friends and visiting groups. The best part was seeing how God took our efforts and multiplied the outcome. We were able to love in tangible ways and that gave us opportunities to witness miracles,” she added.

“God was asking us to respond with obedience,” Russ said. “I was a missionary taking people around, telling other people what to do. I was a voice for global missions. It was God saying, ‘Russ, get your hands dirty. Go and do’.

“In the Dump community, we shook their hands, looked them in the eyes, and valued them as people. That had a huge impact in my life. That’s what Jesus calls us to do.

“For years we washed hair, took in food and clothes, and brought visitors into the Dump. Fast-tracking to 2001, we decided to make ER an organization. I thought, that’s something I know how to do. Together, we could build an organization. That’s when I felt I could use my gifts and skills.”

Continuing to Serve

“We stayed involved because ER was something Gina and I could do together with friends and family. We saw growth and impact happen. We saw God was up to something and we didn’t want to miss it.

“In 2010, we had the invitation to work with ER full time. That began a whole season of growth. I grew my skills and gifts because I was challenged by things I had never seen before. That experience shaped my life and continues to do so,” Russ said.

“After returning to the US, I was able to sharpen my gifts of being a helper/counselor,” Gina said. “I took on the role as Care Coach for ER. I understood the needs of living cross culturally and the demands of ministry. This allowed me to walk with staff and partners during difficult times to provide a safe and confidential space for healing.”

Faith-Building Moments

“The Dump was not a pretty place. Our partners worked in some tough conditions. It could be really uncomfortable,” Russ said.

“I learned God is going to take us out of our comfort zone. He’s going to push us, but he’s also faithful to be there with us. It’s OK to be uncomfortable and not in control.

“Jesus said when you do it to the least of these, you’ve done it unto me. As a believer and follower, ER helped make that real to me.”

Pivotal Moments in ER’s Development

Reflecting on ER’s growth and development, Russ shared these key moments:

• In the early years, our Responders Board created a culture for the organization of generosity and relationships. That’s not normally how you build an organization. That laid a foundation.
• When we formalized as a 501c3 non-profit in Atlanta, we became a real organization, and we chose to go global. That was a key transition point.
• We launched ER 2.0 (a strategic plan) in 2011-2012. We committed to building regional offices in Ecuador, South Africa and the Philippines to serve partners and put our own programs in place. That was a big move.
• We realized our work was not about us. It’s about building the kingdom. That became our culture.
• We created and executed a succession plan. That’s how you know the organization is going to outlive the founders.

Advice for Those Seeking to Serve

“A unique difference with ER is the power of relationships, Russ said. “We offer people the opportunity come, see, and engage in deep relationships in ongoing ministries, and continue to do so. Get your hands dirty. It will change your life.”

Russ’ Passion for Training Leaders

Many people inside and outside of the ER community recognize Russ for his passion for developing leaders. He put his passion to work by hosting annual Leader Mundial global summits in the US and regional meetings in other parts of the world that resulted in strong leader networks.

“Leader Mundial is not so much an organization than a movement. It’s a collection of organizational leaders who gather and some light structure, but we’re really about kingdom.”

“We started Leader Mundial with a small group in 2007. It leverages the idea of multiplication. When we invest in a leader, we’re investing in everyone they are connected to – their clients, church, family, and organizations. The total impact is off-the-charts. Developing leaders is what gets me out of bed in the morning.”

ER will continue to partner with Leader Mundial to train leaders. For those interested in getting involved with leadership coaching and networking, reach out to Russ at Russ.cline@barnabasgroup.org.

Gina’s Compassion for People

“I celebrate being able to sharpen my skills and have more tools in my toolbox to help others,” Gina said. “No matter the economic level, being human brings opportunities to grow and learn more about ourselves and the one who created us. I celebrate God allowing me to use my experiences and education to walk with others in their time of need.

“Along with being a Care Coach, I have a private practice in our hometown. I work with individuals and couples, often helping them to quiet the chaos of life, heal from past traumas and have more emotionally healthy relationships. It’s my goal to love people as an expression of my love for God.

“We will always be advocates for the work of ER and we both believe that partnership is vital,” Gina added. “I’m positive there will be opportunities to partner together for our common heart to help others.”

ER Leaders Share Their Appreciation

“It is a tremendous honor to know and celebrate Gina and Russ. I will never be able to express my gratitude in a way that truly matches the gravity of what they both have done for ER, our team members, and the people whose lives were changed as a result. I trust there will be a large crowd of people in heaven waiting to say thank you.” – Brad McKenna, ER President & CEO

“ER would not exist without Russ and Gina. Gina brought love, compassion, and innovation to meeting the needs of the poor. Russ led the board well as our chairman. His example of a strategic servant leader is an example we all follow.” – Jerry Carnill, ER Co-Founder.

“Russ and Gina have been an inspiration to me by living lives dedicated to serving others. With a mix of compassion and reliance on God, they have poured into countless ER team members, ministry partners, and anyone needing to heal or grow. I am thankful for them.” – Tim Fausch, ER Communications Director.