David Bulger, Managing Director for TOPIC Southern Africa Region
David and Cherie Bulger
Raised in Chicago, Bulger received his training in business (BS in Business Management, University of Illinois-Chicago) and was an IBM marketing representative for five years before entering full-time ministry. He has completed studies towards his MS in Cross-cultural Missions at Wheaton Graduate School.
From 1991 to 2002, Bulger was a staff member of International Extension Ministries of Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) in South Barrington, IL. During his tenure he held positions directing the ministry's operations and short-term team program. He also co-directed the ministry's international division. In his various leadership roles, Bulger helped grow the ministry's budget by a factor of six, its staff from two twenty and its focus as one of three strategic priorities within the church. His wife, Cherie, was also on staff at WCCC - serving on the Junior High Ministry Team.
As Southern Africa Regional Executive/Managing Director, Bulger enables TOPIC to
- Connect pastors who lack training with effective pastoral educational programs,
- Coordinate strategies so that large numbers of pastoral leaders are equipped,
- Conduct training events - particularly to upgrade pastoral trainers, and
- Recommend grassroots pastoral training ministries, curricula and trainers.
Philip C. Flores, National Coordinator for TOPIC Philippines
Philip & Myrna Flores,
PERSONAL/FAMILY – I grew up as a Catholic but came to know Christ in college (1965) through the help of a pastor. After a month, I was invited by a Navigator missionary to join a Bible study group. That started my growth in discipleship and involvement with The Navigators. My wife of 28 years, Myrna, also met The Navigators almost at the same time as a high-schooler. Blessed with two daughters, Grace, a special education teacher, and Joyce, a veterinarian. And a son, Jabez Joshua who will be in college soon and wants to be a high school teacher.
EDUCATION – Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of the Philippines (1969), MDiv units from the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (1975-1977), MA units in Christian Leadership from the Azusa Pacific University (1996-1998).
MINISTRY EXPERIENCES - Cross-cultural missionary training in Indonesia (1969-70); evangelistic training program in Japan, 1970; pioneered collegiate ministry in Metro Manila (1970-72); appointed as full-time staff with The Navigators, 1970, leading campus ministries; associate pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Baguio City as part of seminary training (1976); part-time teaching at Febias Bible College, Biblical (Chinese) Seminary of the Philippnes and Asian Theological Seminary; director of Philippine Navigators’ Discipleship Training Institute (1986-2002); National Director of the Philippine Navigators (1985-1994);
Launched a radio ministry over DZAS called Discipleship Hour (1985-1986); wrote and published two devotional booklets on Discipleship (No Cross, No Crown and No Christ, No Change); spiritual director and board member of the Philippine Bible Society (1195-2002); Founder/President of contextualized high-school ministry, an NGO called SIKAP (1990-present); initiated Operation Rice Bowl doing mission trips to Cambodia and Thailand helping local pastors and churches (1999-present); National Coordinator of TOPIC Philippines (1999-present).
HEROES - Hudson Taylor, AW Tozer, J. Oswald Sanders, LeRoy Eims (Nav staff), Doug Sparks (Nav staff)
PASSION IN MINISTRY – I am a pioneer, a trailblazer. I love trying out new things of doing the ministry, especially what others have not tried in a particular setting. My greatest passion is to glorify God through a life of Christ likeness and a ministry of fruitfulness (John 15). I am motivated to trust God for great things, for miracles, for the impossible and the unexpected.
ENJOYMENT – I enjoy working with like-minded people; I love teaching the Word to others; and making life-changing impact in the process. Our children are a source of joy to me and my wife. Gardening and enjoying the garden in my quiet moments with the Lord.
Otto Kladensky, Director of International Projects
Otto & Guiselle Kladensky,
Otto Josue and Josely
The Kladenskys come from different backgrounds. Otto was born in Ecuador of Czech emigrants and Guiselle was born in Costa Rica, her father is half Chinese and her mother has Spanish ancestry. This is why they say that culturally their adult children Josely and Otto Josue are "Chinese checkers."
Both Otto and Guiselle have great qualifications for ministry at an interdenominational and international level. Otto had his first short term foreign missionary experience at age 18 in Peru and Chile after several summers as a camp staffer and counselor in Campamento Nueva Vida. Guiselle on the other hand, at age 16 was already contributing to an evangelistic radio and TV ministry in Costa Rica. This couple met while studying in seminary wer married in 1976.
Since 1992 they have been involved with Vineyard Christian Fellowship helping ministry teams in Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador. They have pastored and helped to plant churches through Vina del Este untill 2000. Now they continue to train leaders.
As missionaries seconded by Christ For the City, since March 2000 the Kladenskys are serving TOPIC. Otto is Director of International projects. The family is based in Costa Rica.
J. Paul Landrey, Founding Director
Paul and Carol Landrey
J. Paul Landrey is Founding Director of TOPIC, Inc., a global coalition of pastoral training agencies. He served as International Director of TOPIC from its founding in 1999 until 2010.
Dr. Paul E Pierson - highly regarded Missiologist and Missions Historian stated, "Christ's Church and mission is expanding throughout the world today to an extent never seen before in history. This growth is taking place primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By some estimates, 150,000 persons each day are becoming followers of Christ. Throughout history, God has led His servants to form new mission structures to meet new needs. The Trainers of Pastors International Coalition (TOPIC) is one of those innovative structures, of which we are thrilled to be a part." Dr. Pierson is Dean Emeritus of the School of Cross-Cultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in California.
As Founding Director, Landrey works with the International Director, enabling TOPIC to connect pastors who lack training - with effective pastoral educational programs, coordinate strategies so that large numbers of pastoral leaders are equipped, conduct training events - particularly to upgrade pastoral trainers and recommend grassroots pastoral training ministries, curricula and trainers.
Hans-Martin (Marty) Wilhelm, Senior Associate/Quality Assurance
Hans-Martin (Marty) & Karen Wilhelm
Marty’s grassroots experience in several cultures and missiological studies have prepared him for his new role with TOPIC. He is passionate about Africa, theological training and development.
He is a third generation missionary - born in the Republic of China. His parents relocated to Brazil in the 1960’s, where Marty spent his younger years. After completing high school in California he studied liberal arts at De Anza College (Cupertino, CA) before transferring to Multonomah Bible College (Portland, OR), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Theology in 1983. That same year he married Karen Kay Johnson (originally from Mead, NE).
This was followed by four years in the marketplace and management experience in local government. Wilhelm then pursued a Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural Studies at the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA). During this time he met the late Professor Dr. David Bosch - who was a guest lecturer (author of Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, Orbis Books, 1991).
These studies were postponed however in 1989, in order to depart with his family for missionary service in southern Africa.
Later, Wilhelm was privileged to reconnect with Prof. Bosch in Pretoria, South Africa. He captivated Marty’s imagination, giving him a deep desire to become further equipped in missiology. Bosch’s tragic death in an auto accident some months later was a huge blow to the worldwide mission movement, and especially to Wilhelm.
Eventually, it was Professor J. N. J. Kritzinger (University of South Africa) who became his mentor and promoter - renewing the challenge to further his studies in mission. Midway through MTh studies, Marty was ordained to the gospel ministry by the Evangelical Church Alliance and by 1998 he completed a Master of Theology in Missiology at the University of South Africa.
Wilhelm and his family have been involved in leadership development and pastoral formation in Africa for 15 years, first with O C International (Colorado Springs, CO) and then with Project Nehemiah/World Outreach Ministries (Marietta, GA). This ministry has concentrated on pastoral leaders and trainers in select towns and cities of southern African countries, like: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
"Bush Bible Institutes," pastoral trainer workshops and pastoral training conferences have been held in several key locations...especially in Zambia. This ministry focus has helped to intensify a growing need to address the realities of poverty and empowerment that results in genuine transformation with Africans - in Africa. This motivated Wilhelm to further his studies by pursuing a Doctor of Theology in Missiology, which was completed in 2003.
