Leadership Team
Co-Founders & Directors
Raoul & Karen Armbrister
Raoul and Karen answered the call of God and have been serving in ministry since 2002. They established a ministry to bring relief to those in need and assist those in the Caribbean who need a helping hand, and to teach, train and develop leaders, all focused on gospel impact and living the Great Commission.
After leaving highly successful careers, (Raoul was a senior executive in the cruise line industry in Florida. Karen was the Deputy Director of News and the Television and Radio News Anchor in the Bahamas)they used their corporate skills and professional influences to properly manage a ministry that is based in Scripture, built on character, and operated with integrity.
Raoul and Karen, both having personal encounters with God, committed their lives to the mission and purpose of reaching souls for Christ, planting and strengthening churches. Over the years they have partnered with major organizations in the United States and developed ministry throughout the Caribbean.
The couple live in the Bahamas, an archipelagic nation, with a population of approximately 300,000. Residents on many of the islands face daily struggles, such as economic hardship, natural disasters and the usual setbacks of a third world nation.
Raoul and Karen are Converge missionaries and lead the Caribbean Initiative in developing ministry and training and empowering leaders throughout the region.
They have taken a new and exciting approach to changing the face of nations by changing the hearts of the people. (Luke 1:17) “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Board of Directors
John Riley
As a motivational speaker and humorist, John reaches thousands each year. His teachings have spanned the globe, encompassing 22 countries and totaling more than 10,500 times over the course of nearly 4 decades. Born in the small town of Abbeville, Alabama, he was taught early on about the importance of hard honest work and building lasting relationships. He went on to play football for Auburn University and was drafted by Oakland. When his football career came to a sudden end in 1970, John explored the business world. After six years he answered the calling deep down inside and began speaking full-time. He has been teaching companies how to incorporate those honest values that he learned so long ago into building lasting working relationship with each other as well as the companies they work with. John has received countless awards and recognition, but nothing is as rewarding to him as when he is sharing the simple but important principles of living with a group of people. He has spoken for multiple companies in all parts of the world. He does team building and coaching for some of the most recognized brands. John is sure to stir and motivate anyone who is looking to excel and reach to new heights within themselves and the world around them.
Sheri Adams-Chartier
She has studied many of the major religions of the world. Sheri became an ordained minister of the Christian Church of Antioch in 1991. Sheri believes in Karazim’s mission as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ that serves to bring light and love to the people of the Caribbean. Sheri lived and worked in Australia for 15 years after migrating there from Chicago with her family during her teens. She returned to the U.S. and has lived in Los Angeles since 1976. She has managed law firms and accounting firms, served as a C-level executive of several businesses from software to fashion, and now runs her own marketing consulting firm. Sheri serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children in Los Angeles. She attends Whittier Area Community Church (WACC) in Whittier, California. Sheri married Barry Chartier in 2018.
Darrell Smith
Darrell was born and raised in the Altgeld Gardens housing development and in the Englewood community on Chicago’s south side. He is one of nine children. Darrell graduated from Chicago Vocational High School. Graduated from Regis University in Denver Colorado. Earned a B.S in Economics and Business Administration 1981. Earned a Masters in Finance from Governors State University 1989. Graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College 1994. In addition to running a successful practice at Merrill Lynch since 1994, Darrell has served as a Lieutenant Colonel U.S Army Reserves and Adjunct Professor of U.S Military History at the University of Illinois Chicago. Member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. Member of Wheaton Christian Center Board of Directors. Darrell lives in Pinecrest Florida with his wife Catherine, son Jackson and daughter Mikhaila.
David Whitworth
David has a deep passion and commitment for inspiring, equipping, and empowering disciple-makers of Kingdom-building ministries. He is the President of One Kingdom Mission, a non-profit committed teaching and training pastors and laity in being servant leaders in God’s mission. David has the privilege of serving as the Bishop Cornelius and Dorothye Henderson Chair and E. Stanley Jones assistant Professor of Evangelism at the Interdenominational Theological Center as well as the United Methodist Strategic Initiatives Liaison at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. David is married to Tammy and they have two lovely daughters. One of their great joys is traveling and sharing in cross-cultural experiences.
Ed Berry
Ed describes himself as a struggling disciple of Jesus Christ. Through God’s generous mercy, Ed has received many blessings. Sharing these blessings and his love of God through mission work and support is what Ed believes God intends for him to do. He has two daughters who love the Lord and are his greatest blessings in life. His wife of 37 years passed away in 2004. Ed owns a farm in Louisiana and is a partner and manager of a cotton gin in Alabama. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer and was honorably discharged in 1972. Ed graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in agribusiness and served nine years on the Farm Service Administration. Presently, he serves on various committees at Abbeville United Methodist Church and is a board director for the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club.
Pam Taylor
Pam is one who is passionate about helping others find hope, purpose, and empowerment in their lives. She believes that this can only happen through belief and trust in Christ. The people of the Caribbean hold a special place in her heart. She was captivated by their genuine hunger to learn about Christ. Pam’s greatest desire is to help lead people to Christ and to show compassion to those in need. Pam served as a teacher, counselor and administrator in Alabama schools for over 25 years. After her retirement from education, she worked as a sales representative and consultant for an international textbook company and a school fundraising company. Pam holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling with a master’s certification in school administration. Pam has two daughters and four grandchildren. She was married for 41 years to her husband, Mike, who died in 2016. Pam lives in Abbeville, Alabama.
Mission Directors
Dr. Dwight & Krystal James
We would like to introduce two of our new Directors, Dwight and Krystal James. Dwight and Krystal have been married for 9 years. during these years have served in ministry together in Riverside, California. Dwight and Krystal recently relocated to Tampa Bay, FL to plant a church. They are both graduates of Oral Roberts University’s Seminary program. They both have a passion for outreach and missions ministry. They are excited and passionate about working with Karazim Ministries to spread God’s love and gospel throughout the Bahamas and The Caribbean. Dwight and Krystal are the parents of their beautiful daughter.