Founder & CEO – Bonnie Adams

Bonnie Adams, Founder & CEO of Fishers of Men, Inc., is a native of a small rural town in central Virginia, and is one of 10 children born to devout Christian parents who were farmers.

Her parents modeled the spirit of Christian hospitality, opening their home to others for meals from the bounty of the land with which God blessed them, and providing a loving environment where God’s Word could be pondered and rightly divided. Often this occurred under the massive oak tree in the front yard; at other times, when they broke bread over a wholesome country meal at the dining table. The family’s love of community and heart for pastors made their home a place of refuge where they shared and affirmed their Christian values and faith. This upbringing left an indelible imprint upon Bonnie’s heart and was the inspiration for a faith-based bed-and-breakfast which she established in 2012 for pastors, missionaries, and all travelers in need of a quiet, restorative place of retreat.

Bonnie’s zeal for missions was sparked when she attended a 15-week transformational discipleship course entitled “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” (Perspectives) in northern Virginia. Perspectives is designed to reveal God’s redemptive plan for all mankind and equip His people for strategic participation in His global plan to reach the world with the “Good News” of His salvation.

Through Perspectives, she learned that nearly 2.5 billion people alive on earth today have never heard the good news of the gospel … that a third of the world has never heard of Jesus … and that more than 55,000 souls perish every day in darkness, without a chance to respond to the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ! Bonnie came to fully understand the Great Commission that Jesus gave to all Christians before He ascended to heaven after His resurrection: to align with His global purpose and make disciples of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation.

Awakened to this awareness, Bonnie recognized her life’s purpose in the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic plan of God. In 2013—moved to action and obedience to God—she founded Fishers of Men, Inc.,  a non-profit missionary sending organization, as her answer to that call.

Our Board

BEATRICE COX
Chairman of the Board

Mrs. BeatrIce  Adams Cox received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Virginia State College( now University) and Principals Certificate from Seattle Pacific University.

She began her career in Lynchburg Public Schools where she taught for five years at Dunbar Jr. High School and Robert E. Lee Jr. High School. Mrs. Cox retired from Seattle Public Schools where she served for 28 years as teacher, principal, and district science coordinator. Mrs. Cox participated in a short-term mission trip to Jamaica where she was trained in how to approach and communicate with non-believers and get them connected to the Body of Christ. She has been a student in the Bible Studies Fellowship (BSF) program since 2013. She is married to Dr. Robert Lee Cox, also a retired school administrator They have two adult daughters, Melanie Clark Pratt (Bryan) and Vera Moore (Michael); and one granddaughter, Tyler Clark


LISA D. CALLOWAY
Vice-Chairman of the Board

Lisa D. Calloway is a native of Lynchburg, VA who also serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Lynchburg. Her professional expertise is as a Human Resources Recruitment Consultant, she has won several awards for her collaborative, consultative approach to recruiting. Lisa is passionate about serving others and giving back to the community. She has one daughter,Jordan Calloway.  When she is not helping others, she enjoys reading and staying connected with local and national news. Lisa finds purpose and comfort in her life verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me” Philippians 4:13


REV. THERESA LONG
Secretary

Rev. Theresa Long is a native of Gladys, Virginia. Rev. Long received an M.Ed. in Special Education from Lynchburg College and a B.A. in Psychology from Norfolk State University. Rev. Long is a retired educator who served as an  Educational Consultant with the Virginia Department of Education, Assistant Principal, and Special Education teacher. Rev. Long has traveled to Brazil on several mission trips where she preached the Word of God, evangelized communities, and conducted workshops for women and children. She was also instrumental in facilitating the building of The Little Elam Complex training center and the purchase of a one hundred acre farm that was transformed into a missions conference center in Brazil. Rev. Long is married to Pastor Frank M. Long, Jr. and they have two children and four grandchildren.


JERRY ADAMS
Treasurer

Mr. Jerry Adams, born and educated in Campbell County, received his B.A. in Political Science and Minor in Finance from Virginia Tech.  After graduation, Jerry was a Commissioned Officer in the USMC where he served his community and this great nation for 24 years of Honorable Service.  During his military career, Jerry was afforded the opportunity to serve the impoverished and under privileged in many foreign lands.  Jerry is married to Linda Davis Adams, originally from Bedford County, VA and they have four adult children.  Jerry & Linda currently lives in Forest, VA. Jerry’s Motto, “If I Can Help Somebody, Then, My Living Will Not Be In Vain.”


DONNA T. DAVIS
Administrative Director

Donna Davis is a native of Lynchburg, VA. She has been extremely active in the volunteer community of the Hill City for many years. She was the church administrator at The Bridge Community Church from 2011-2017. She has been a part of Bible Study Fellowship International for eleven years; a BSF children’s leader for five of those years. Donna joined the Perspectives Movement in 2014, and has been in many roles from prayer leader to coordinator. Donna has three children & two granddaughters. She currently works at Genworth Financial as a Sr. Annuity Claims Rep. where she holds a Series Six designation.


DEMIETRE PAYNE
Board Member

Demietre Payne is called and set apart for the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. She is a member of Abundant Life Ministries in Hurt, VA under the leadership of Pastor Stedman A. Payne, Jr. Accepting Christ at the age of 13 years old, she has experience maturing in the culture with Christ as the center and this experience has empowered her to minister through singing and teaching. God has given her a ministry in praise and worship that she has been faithful over since her early youth. She is the praise & worship leader, music ministry director, an Ordained Elder, and also serves as the administrator at Abundant Life. She graduated from Longwood College with a degree in Business Administration.  She is the Owner/Operator of Pinpoint Services, which provides Bookkeeping and tax preparation services.  She is a mentor and influencer.  Lady D is married to Pastor Andrei of Lynchburg, VA. To this union, God has added two sons, Stedman, III (Trey), and Robert. Her heart and passion is to reach lost souls and help others find their true passion.


Anissa Brown is a graduate of Central Virginia Community College, with an AA in Arts and Applied Science and a Paralegal certificate. Anissa has been engaged in customer service for over 35 years, and she has received multiple recognitions from her current job at Lowes.
Anissa has been engaged in various ministries for over 45 years. She has served in many capacities of ministry as a youth advisor, a trustee, hospitality, Sunday school teacher, flag warrior, praise dance leader, praise and worship ministry, as well a muralist/artist, and seamstress. Most recently, Anissa traveled with the Fishers of Men, Inc. missionary team to Clarkston, GA. Anissa’s continued desire is to follow the will of God and walk in His ways.

Dr. CARLTON JACKSON
Board Member

​Rev. Dr. Carlton Jackson, Jr. is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where he earned his B.S. degree in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies.  He was later awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg, and currently is a professor in the Business and Religion schools there.  Dr. Jackson has been engaged in ministry for 40 years, and he has served for the past 32 years as Pastor of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Lynchburg.  He and his wife Geraldine are blessed to have a daughter, Cynthia Wyche, a son, Jerome Jackson, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  Dr. Jackson labors tirelessly to see the kingdom of God triumph in this world of darkness, and to see Christ made known to all the nations.

ROBERT CARDWELL
Board Member

Mr. Robert Cardwell is a native of Concord, Virginia and was educated in the Campbell County school system. Upon graduating high school he served as a Senior Non Commissioned Officer in the US Army for 22 years in the Recruiting and Career Counseling fields. He received his Associates in Arts Degree in Business from Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri. While serving in the Army he was stationed with his wife Phyllis and son Duane in Stuttgart, Germany six years. While there he organized a gospel group named Robert Cardwell and the Voices of Zion which he directed and played piano. When they weren’t touring different countries he conducted musical workshops and bible studies for members of German choirs and military families. In addition to currently serving as Minister of Music at Greater Peaceful Zion Baptist Church in Lynchburg, he renders music monthly at area Nursing Homes and Senior Rehabilitation Centers.


Advisors


DR. MICHELLE RAVEN

Michelle Raven serves as an Advisor to Fishers of Men.  She is passionate about African Americans participating in global missions, capacity building, and reaching the least reached. A retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, attorney, and ministry leader, she has served in various roles in local churches around the world. A missionary entrepreneur based in Texas, she founded Capacity Builders International through which she facilitates ministry in various places around the world and provides personnel expertise, strategic leadership, and counsel to individuals and organizations. She also founded Raven Law Center, a non-profit law firm committed to serving Veterans and others who have served. Michelle graduated with high distinction from Liberty University with an MA in Global Studies and is in an Intercultural Studies PhD program at Columbia International University. Michelle is blessed with two amazing teenagers who also have a heart for Christ and a passion for service.