Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Mark and Julia McDowell
The genesis of Demonstrate Love dates back to a 2015 trip to Malawi, where Mark and Julia McDowell helped with the construction of a small brick home through Habitat for Humanity's Orphans and Vulnerable Children project. The recipient family and others in the area made a big impact on the McDowells and they found themselves returning to Malawi in 2016 and again in 2017 leading their own team to build more homes. Meeting with various local leaders, they saw tremendous need and felt called to put their faith into action and formed Demonstrate Love.
Residents of Northern California, Julia is an attorney and Mark is retired from a 40 year sales career with a global manufacturing company. They both love to travel and have been to all seven continents together.
Bruce Chantry
Bruce was born in South Africa and moved to the United States when he was 12. In 2002, he was pleased to return with his wife to the country he loves for work. While living in South Africa, Bruce and his wife adopted their 2 children before returning to the US in 2008.
Bruce’s travels throughout Africa exposed him to many rural communities lacking the most basic needs that many take for granted. He and his wife’s heart were touched by so many while they were in South Africa. Being a part of Demonstrate Love was a logical way for them to continue to help those in need.
Bruce is an executive for a global manufacturing company.
John Ralston
John grew up in Ohio where he met and married his wife Chris in 1981. He is a South Carolina CPA, and for many years was a financial executive for a global tire manufacturer. After over 20 years in the Charlotte, North Carolina area where they attended Central Church, Chris and John now make their home in South Bend, Indiana. They share a keen interest in making a direct and meaningful impact in the lives they come in contact with, to demonstrate the love of Jesus.
John and Chris have been on several international missions trips and have worked with the McDowells on two Habitat for Humanity builds in Africa.
David Kilburn
David grew up in Pennsylvania, across the street from a dairy farm with early ambitions to help people, grow business, and see the world. After college he went to work for a global manufacturing company.
His passion for people, culture, and action led to an assignment in the international side of the business where he has worked for the past 12 years. David has held various leadership roles in Japan, UAE, and currently lives in Germany with his wife Bettina and two young children.
David holds an Engineering degree from Grove City College, and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management. While attending Grove City College, he became growingly aware and concerned about action, rather than just words or donations, which makes Demonstrate Love’s practical approach to ministry resonate with David on a deep and humane level.
David cites the poem “Abou Ben Adhem” and the beatitudes in Matthew as items he keeps near and dear to his heart.