Our Mission
The Well International Ministries is an organization — comprised of committed disciples of Christ, operating under a global covering of prayer — dedicated to bringing the Gospel to a generation around the world that has not yet heard the Good News.
Our Strategy
Saint Paul wrote in I Corinthians, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” In the same way, The Well International will employ all possible means to spread the Gospel. Initially, these efforts will encompass four primary strategies directed specifically at young adults: i) prayer ii) direct ministry, iii) digital outreach, and iv) a book entitled The Way Home. Over time, we pray that more direct ministry chapters of The Well will be formed, and at the same time, the media we deploy will grow in both volume and scope to reach more and more of this lost generation around the world.
Staff
Stewart Sonneland
Stewart Sonneland served in Young Life for over 40 years (22 years on staff, the balance as a volunteer) and over the past three plus years, helping lead the Well. During that time, Stewart has spoken to, and walked alongside, thousands of young people. In that endeavor, he’s worked to help them navigate the difficult waters between adolescence and adulthood, helping them find a personal faith in — and relationship with — Jesus Christ.
Janele Lane
Janele Lane is on fire to see young adults ignited in their identity and purpose through Christ. As a certified Christian Life coach, she specializes in freedom and inner healing through prayer. After college volleyball, she spent her early twenties in the modeling industry in New York and Los Angeles. Married to Taylor (just over a year now!), Janele’s on full-time staff with the Well and has also been active in international church planting, the Go & Tell Movement, as well as Spokane’s local Walk for Freedom.
Ellie Kimmel
Ellie Kimmel, a recent graduate of Gonzaga University, is a member of the volunteer leadership team at The Well. Additionally, she serves on staff for the minstry, primarily providing administrative support. Originally from Poulsbo, Washington, Ellie looks to make Spokane her permanent home, where she hopes to build deeper connections within the community and help further expand God’s Kingdom.
Board of Directors
Stewart Sonneland
After leaving full-time Young Life staff in 2006, Stewart Sonneland founded and is now the CEO of Strategic Integrators, an IT firm headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Strategic provides systems integration for public-sector, commercial and educational organizations across the country. Over the past 18 years, Strategic's clients have included Dartmouth University, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the U.S. Air Force Academy and even World Wrestling Entertainment.
Char Baker
An amazing woman of God, Char Baker, has served in many different lay ministries over the years. More recently, she’s seen first-hand the powerful work the Lord is doing through the Well. “I am honored to serve on the board of the Well and watch young adults meet Jesus, embrace Him, and then pass Him onto others. It’s incredible to witness His work so tangibly.” Char is married with two grown kids and resides in Redmond, WA and Scottsdale, AZ.
Javis Mugagga Lubwama
A Ugandan native, Javis lives and works in Kampala. Married to his beautiful wife Gladys of nine years, they have 3 wonderful children.
Through Lay Life Ministries, Javis provides expertise and counsel enabling people to come together in a dynamic environment which fosters spiritual, character and leadership formation. Through that work, he helps oversee multiple ministry initiatives including a feeding program at a local elementary school, discipleship at a Christian secondary school and a micro loan program for Ugandan entrepreneurs.
Kristin Phalen
Kristin Phalen lives to share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus with the lost. Raised in a secular home, and never having heard the Gospel, Kristin lived as a prodigal daughter for 27 years until a radical encounter with Jesus changed her life forever. Now a redeemed and healed daughter, Kristin’s greatest joy is loving others to life in Christ through her ministry and outreach at www.Simply-Love.com
Chad Sutton
The Lord has blessed Chad with more than twenty years of successful ministry and business experience. He has a robust history of helping underserved communities and holds a deep passion for ministry. Chad and his wife Lillian reside in Michigan. They have 4 children.