Intercede's Board of Directors
Jaime Swift – Executive Director
Mr. Swift is the founder and Chairman of INTERCEDE. He has lived and served in Africa for 10 years, and is fluent in both Ki-Giryama and Ki-Swahili. He brings substantial experience in cross-cultural ministry and in local and international management. He last served as African Regional Director of an international non-profit media ministry in Nairobi, Kenya. He and his wife, Ginger, began INTERCEDE as a discipling organization in 2005 and hope that through its efforts, many lives will be changed for eternity.
Ginger Swift – Secretary
Mrs. Swift is Jaime’s wife, co-founder, and Secretary for INTERCEDE. She spent many hours with African women and children learning not only the language, but their culture as well. As a wife and mother of three girls, she brings a unique perspective to INTERCEDE and a passion for women’s and children’s issues.
Chuck Swift – Treasurer
Currently the owner of his own franchise, Mr. Swift has been a top salesman in the automotive industry for over 33 years, achieving status at various times as the top regional and national salesman in the country. He has been involved in personal ministry and evangelism for many years and has supported mission efforts among the Giryama tribe in Kenya for over 20 years. He hopes that through his involvement with INTERCEDE he will see firsthand an improvement in the daily lives of the Giryama people, as well as a better knowledge of God and His will for man.
Gary Coppedge – Director
Mr. Coppedge has been in international development for over 15 years and has substantial expertise in the development and financing of large infrastructure projects in developing countries. He is currently President of Cutuco Energy in El Salvador, Senior Vice President of Northern Star Natural Gas based in Houston, and CEO of the consulting firm International Business Connection, Ltd. Co. Mr. Coppedge joined the INTERCEDE board in 2006 and brings with him contacts and experience from his years of development work. He joined INTERCEDE for the purpose of serving God through the efforts of INTERCEDE in Africa, and to provide the necessary experience needed to fund, operate and expand INTERCEDE’s vision and effort.
Tommy Thatcher – Director
Mr. Thatcher has worked in the oil fields of West Texas since 1976 and received an Associates of Science Degree while attending night school. He is currently Manager of Apache Corporation’s Central Region automation department which includes West Texas, the Panhandle, Eastern New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He has been involved in the African/Giryama ministry since its inception in 1983. He joined INTERCEDE in 2006 to further support the efforts to bring education and spread the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
Sam Bookout – Director
Mr. Bookout joined the INTERCEDE Board in 2006. He is a member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland, Texas. After two visits to Africa in 1999 and 2001, he saw first hand the devastation of poverty and the need for hope, food and the guiding hand of God. It is his intention to further serve God by contributing his God-given talents to the welfare and salvation of the African people through the efforts of INTERCEDE.
Intercede's partners
Duncan Ziro - Field Administrator, Kenya
Duncan is one of our Field Administrators in Kenya, East Africa. He serves in the Kilifi MCRC office. The MCRC office reaches out to the community by providing resources (a computer, books, videos and classes) on many various topics. Regular meetings and classes are held in our small two-room building for education and training in Bible, community development, health and family issues targeting primarily youth, women and children. Duncan is responsible for overseeing MCRC and all of it's programs, including staff, planning of meetings, teaching classes and even the accounting and general management. Moreover, Duncan is responsible for all of INTERCEDE's interests in East Africa. Duncan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Bible and Community Development and was one of the first students sponsored through INTERCEDE's scholarship program. After achieving his degree, he returned home to serve and give hope to his own people.
Max Zamorano - Field Administrator, Mexico
We are proud to have Max with us at INTERCEDE. He comes with years of experience in Christian and community development, having taught for many years at Sunset International Bible Institute as Director of their Hispanic ministries. He has been a successful businessman and minister and has served in many various communities across Mexico, including a radio show in Monterey. He is now serving with INTERCEDE as an advisor on projects in Mexico. INTERCEDE's interests there are still quite young, but Max brings with him years of experience and expertise.
Fredrick Kaingu - Field Coordinator, Kaloleni
Fredrick serves as our Field Coordinator in Kaloleni, Kenya. He works to oversee the various programs and projects connected with the MCRC office in the Kaloleni area, meeting with various community and church leaders to organize outreach and growth projects. He has regular classes targeting the youth in the area who, without his encouragement and training, have little hope for a successful future. Fredrick was also one of the first to receive assistance from INTERCEDE and graduated with a diploma from Nairobi Great Commission School in 2000.
