Who we are

Joy Kauffman, MPH, is the Founder and Executive Director of FARM STEW International, a supportive ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. FARM STEW empowers families to help themselves move from extreme poverty to an abundant life through practical, biblical solutions. Joy combines public health, leadership, and faith-based empowerment to address the root causes of hunger, disease, poverty, hopelessness, and dependency. She holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University (magna cum laude, 1997) and a degree in International Nutrition from Virginia Tech (magna cum laude, 1992), and worked in Washington, DC, with services for the homeless and with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Over its first decade of operations (2015-present), FARM STEW International has positively
impacted an estimated 350,000+ people across more than 25 countries. This figure is derived
from approximately 58,000+ households reached through direct community training, multiplied
by a conservative average household size of six. Inspired by both motherhood and her Christian faith, Joy’s work equips mothers and fathers worldwide to help their children thrive—proving that lasting change happens when people are empowered, not rescued.

Cherri joined FARM STEW because of her love for God and His church. She is a gifted administrator and has served as church treasurer for more than a decade. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Southern Adventist University and served as a Senior Human Resource Management Assistant for Loma Linda Medical Center. She worked in the Human Resource field for over ten years before becoming a wife and mother of two. She enjoys helping and serving others through church outreach and various community programs, such as cooking schools, women’s prayer groups, and youth activities. FARM STEW’s unique way of meeting people’s needs while sharing the gospel message is what has drawn her to serve with Joy and the FARM STEW family. She now serves as the Domestic Operations Director of FARM STEW. Cherri also serves on several board committees.

Elizabeth has a calling to serve those in need, seeking ways to relieve poverty and share hope in Jesus Christ. She began her career as a translator and interpreter of German, French, and English into Spanish, focusing on health, education, business, and religion. After earning a Master’s in Administration with an emphasis in International Community Development from Andrews University, she helped establish ADRA offices in Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Burundi. She has also served as a lecturer and administrator in Adventist universities in Peru and Bolivia. Her multicultural experience enables her to connect with diverse audiences. Elizabeth joined FARM STEW because she believes in its Bible-based, science-backed approach to abundant life. She looks forward to expanding FARM STEW into new countries with permanent training centers. She is a pastor’s wife, a proud mother, and a grandmother.

My life has been shaped by faith, family, education, and a love for serving people around the world. Growing up in Pakistan gave me an early appreciation for different cultures and planted a lifelong passion for international service. For more than 30 years, I have been blessed to work in higher education and international development, including serving as Vice-Chancellor of Malawi Adventist University. Today, I continue that journey by supporting mission initiatives in Malawi and leading the FARM STEW Virtual Learning Community. My greatest joy is my family. My late husband, John, and I adopted four brothers from Guatemala, and today I am blessed with four wonderful adult sons and eight multicultural grandchildren. In this season of life, my desire is simple: to use what God has given me to encourage others, equip people to serve, and help communities experience John 10:10's abundant life.

Joy Kauffman, MPH, is the Founder and Executive Director of FARM STEW International, a supportive ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. FARM STEW empowers families to help themselves move from extreme poverty to an abundant life through practical, biblical solutions. Joy combines public health, leadership, and faith-based empowerment to address the root causes of hunger, disease, poverty, hopelessness, and dependency. She holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University (magna cum laude, 1997) and a degree in International Nutrition from Virginia Tech (magna cum laude, 1992), and worked in Washington, DC, with services for the homeless and with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Over its first decade of operations (2015-present), FARM STEW International has positively
impacted an estimated 350,000+ people across more than 25 countries. This figure is derived
from approximately 58,000+ households reached through direct community training, multiplied
by a conservative average household size of six. Inspired by both motherhood and her Christian faith, Joy’s work equips mothers and fathers worldwide to help their children thrive—proving that lasting change happens when people are empowered, not rescued.

Susan Cherne, J.D., graduated from La Sierra University with a BBA Degree, Management Emphasis, Cum Laude and from the University of Oregon School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. She worked as General Counsel for a medical development company and has served on numerous school and church boards and finance committees. She loves working with youth, community service, cooking, family mission trips and sharing the love of Jesus. She joined FARM STEW because of its exciting mission and the belief that all people should have the opportunity to live an abundant and healthy life.

Dawna has always had a heart for service, so nursing was a natural career goal. While in training, to her surprise, she discovered teaching was her calling and health education was a natural choice with a master’s degree in health education from Loma Linda University. After graduation she, her dentist husband and two children served 6 years at the Adventist hospital in Karachi, Pakistan where she was the hospital health educator. Over the years, God has led her to teaching in hospitals, public health, evangelism training and church/community outreach. These opportunities have been in multiple places around this earth, often in evangelistic outreach. She has always held in high regard Biblical guidance and our SDA health message, and they have served her well along with the evolving knowledge of science. She has joined her interests and talents with FARM STEW because it is a well-balanced, comprehensive health-promoting program, providing solutions to poor people in need of food, sustenance, encouragement and conversion, to achieve an abundant life now and eternally with Jesus. She looks forward to FARM STEW continuing on the current path and developing a training center with a curriculum adapted for use anywhere in this world.

Kevin grew up overseas and he learned early on the value of service and compassion. He serves as the Senior Accountant at Adventist Care Centers and is a graduate of Southern Adventist University. He and his wife Astrid live in Apopka, Florida.

Cherri joined FARM STEW because of her love for God and His church. She is a gifted administrator and has served as church treasurer for more than a decade. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Southern Adventist University and served as a Senior Human Resource Management Assistant for Loma Linda Medical Center. She worked in the Human Resource field for over ten years before becoming a wife and mother of two. She enjoys helping and serving others through church outreach and various community programs, such as cooking schools, women’s prayer groups, and youth activities. FARM STEW’s unique way of meeting people’s needs while sharing the gospel message is what has drawn her to serve with Joy and the FARM STEW family. She now serves as the Domestic Operations Director of FARM STEW. Cherri also serves on several board committees.

Paul Ogaga is a seasoned professional with a passion for international development and community empowerment. Paul also cofounded SapphireAid, an international nonprofit organization. He currently sits as its board chair. With an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate, Paul has leveraged his expertise to become a respected board member of various international nonprofits, where he has spearheaded impactful initiatives across Africa and the United States. Paul, as a volunteer, has led various evangelistic groups in Nigeria and internationally. He is a pioneer member of One Year In Mission (OYIM) to New York in 2013. He later served as the OYIM Coordinator for WAD. He has also sat as an executive committee member at various levels of the Church, in local conferences and the Union. With a rich portfolio of experience, Paul has played a pivotal role in numerous interventionist projects, focusing on skills acquisition training, community service, needs assessment, community development, and disaster risk management/preparedness. His commitment to improving the lives of others has been evident through his dedicated volunteer work and strategic leadership in addressing pressing societal challenges. Paul Ogaga's profound understanding of cross-cultural dynamics, coupled with his strategic acumen, has enabled him to drive sustainable change and foster resilience in vulnerable communities. Through his collaborative approach and unwavering dedication, Paul continues to be a catalyst for positive transformation on both local and global scales.

David McCoy was born in Big Spring, Texas, to a military family. He always lived in typical urban neighborhoods, but his family would visit his grandparents on their dairy farm in the country once a year. David just loved everything about farming. He feels like he is on vacation when on a farm. He worked on the dairy at San Pasqual Academy, Walla Walla University, and Andrews University. While in college, David received an Associate Degree in Agricultural Business. He wanted to combine ministry with agriculture, so he went on to get religion degrees from Andrews University. David has served as a pastor in Oregon since 1992. He has had many opportunities to serve on short-term missions in Russia, Africa, Fiji, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and Thailand. David joined FARM STEW because it agrees with his philosophy of helping people see Jesus through practical, real-world needs.

Danny Stewart, CPA, graduated from Emory University with a BSBA. He worked with NC State government for 36 years in a number of progressive positions in auditing and management. In addition, he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State IT Advisory Board, received the Governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine and Governor’s Award for Employee Excellence. When Dean Flint introduced Dan to FARM STEW, he was immediately impressed with the wholistic approach of FARM STEW in improving the lives permanently of some of the poorest people on earth and sharing with them the wonderful news of Jesus. He was also impressed with Joy Kauffman and the dedicated Board and staff of FARM STEW and believes FARM STEW is answering the mission call of Jesus found in Matthew 25:35-45.

Sherry Shrestha, M.D., graduated from Loma Linda University in 1974. She spent 40 years in family practice before retiring in 2019. She practiced medicine in Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan in the U.S. and in Nepal, Mexico, and British Columbia. She is married to Dr. Prakash Shrestha and has 3 daughters and 3 grandsons. When she retired, she felt at a loss on how to continue to lead a useful life. After attending a FARM STEW meeting in Michigan, she volunteered as a writer for FARM STEW for grants and other things. Sherry soon found that her keyboard and Zoom opened a world of opportunities to help others lead a more abundant life even though she could no longer "be a missionary." It is a delight to share with others in FARM STEW in helping the vulnerable and those in need.

Jeff has farmed for more than 30 years in Washington’s Yakima Valley. His interest and research in farming by keeping the soil healthy led to a Heart & Soil philosophy. He has grown many different crops but is most satisfied by the growth of the next generation. He is known for trying new ideas and continues to be an inspiration behind farming, packing and Blue Cream businesses. He is excited by the Three Angels' Messages and looks for ways to share them (Jesus revealed, Satan exposed, Choose). He enjoys the outdoors, Bible study and spending time with family.

Dr. Rick Westermeyer is secretary and co-founder of Africa Orphan Care, a nonprofit dedicated to the care of the orphan generation of Africa. He also volunteers as Zimbabwe country director for FARM STEW. He is an anesthesiologist practicing in Portland, Oregon. He has a diploma in tropical medicine from the London School of Tropical medicine. He has volunteered with disaster response teams from Medical Teams International to Afghanistan, Haiti, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. With his wife Ann, a nurse, they have served in hospitals and clinics in New Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. He lectures on disaster response medicine for the Oregon Health Sciences University Institute on Global Health. Rick and Ann have two married daughters, Allison and Allana, who are both nurse practitioners, and three grandchildren.