Jeff Boshart (center right) has begun work as manager of the Global Food Crisis Fund and the Emerging Global Mission Fund. Most recently he has wprked for Brethren Disaster Ministries as Haiti disaster response coordinator. He is shown here in Haiti with colleague Klebert Exceus (center left) helping orient a delegation from the US who were visiting on the occasion of the completion of the 100th home rebuilt by the Brethren
Jeff Boshart started March 15 as manager of the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and Emerging Global Mission Fund (EGMF). This new position located at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., combines management of the two funds.
Formerly managed by Howard Royer until his retirement in December, the GFCF is the primary way the church helps develop food security and works against chronic hunger. In existence for over 25 years, it has served community development programs in 32 countries. Grants develop sustainable agriculture through providing seeds, livestock, tools, and training, and also work on related issues such as providing clean and potable water. GFCF grants have totaled around $300,000 annually, in recent years.
The EGMF supports development of new and emerging international mission, but also is intended to support the New Church Development Advisory Committee’s work encouraging church planting in the US. Currently it is funding mission in Brazil and Haiti.
As manager of GFCF, Boshart will represent the Church of the Brethren at the Foods Resources Bank and other ecumenical bodies to address hunger.
Most recently he has been the Haiti disaster response coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries, since Oct. 2008. He and his wife Peggy worked for the Church of the Brethren from 2001-04 as community development coordinators in the Dominican Republic, implementing a microloan program. In Haiti from 1998-2000 they served in agricultural development with ECHO (Educational Concern for Hunger Organization).
Boshart holds a master’s of professional studies degree in agriculture from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and a bachelor’s of science in biology from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., and is vice president of the board of directors of FARMS International, a Christian micro-credit organization. He speaks Haitian Kreyol and Spanish. He is a member of Rockford (Ill.) Community Church of the Brethren. He and his family live in Fort Atkinson, Wis.