Clark Vandeventer interviews Jo Anne Lyon about the West African nation of Sierra Leone.
Jo Anne is amazing -- and has traveled to 88 different countries! That's amazing!
ONE INTERESTING THING IN THIS INTERVIEW --> There's some pretty serious division and polarization in the USA today, but nothing compared to what Sierra Leone has faced in the past.
Jo Anne talked about how she admires Sierra Leone's ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM A BRUTAL WAR WITH TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION.
Additional observations on Sierra Leone being a country where Christians and Muslims peacefully co-exist.
As the founder and previous CEO of World Hope International, Jo Anne directed the faith-based relief and development organization into over 30 countries to alleviate suffering and injustice. During her time as CEO, she was involved with several countries experiencing fragility, conflict and violence with a strong focus on the role of faith. Her previous 30 years of pastoral ministry contributed to the effectiveness of the work. Following 12 years of service to World Hope International she was elected as the General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church worldwide. She served in that position for eight years. At the close of her tenure, she was invited to serve as the Ambassador for The Wesleyan Church for the following four years by action of the General Board to retain the considerable connections and influence she has had to extend the influence of the Church.
Jo Anne serves on the board of directors of many organizations such as Bread for the World, Vice-Chair of the Board of National Association of Evangelicals, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Council on Faith of the World Economic Forum, previously President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and others.
She holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, continued graduate studies in Historical Theology and has been granted five honorary doctorates. She is an ordained minister of the Wesleyan Church. The recipient of the 2016 “World Methodist Peace Award”, 2017 “Keeper of the American Dream Award” from the National Immigration Forum in Washington DC as well as various other awards.
Dr. Lyon and her husband, Rev. Wayne Lyon, live in the Indianapolis area. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.
If you want to know more about Jo Anne, just google her. You can also find her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at https://twitter.com/JoAnneLyonGS
