Dara Searcy-Gardner — Intl. Director of Communications
Dara grew up in Jos, Nigeria. She moved to the US when she was eighteen to go to college for vocal performance, and after completing her BMus, went on to complete a masters in theology at Houghton College. She focused her study on the intersection between personal faith, theology, and culture. After graduating, she worked in a Methodist church in Forest Grove, Oregon as Ministry Associate. In this position she led the discipleship program, the youth group, and planned outreach events. While working at the church, she also worked with Rich as he moved from doctoral research to developing material, doing trainings and ultimately forming FFICM. Helping to develop materials and interviewing people to tell their stories intersected powerfully with Dara’s passion for people to have intimate, lasting relationships with Jesus, and her love for and loyalty to people who risk everything to reach out to others for the gospel. Eventually she felt called to join the ministry, and currently serves as International Director of Communications.