ABOUT US
Our mission is to build relationships by meeting the humanitarian, educational, and medical needs of children, youth, orphans, young adults, and widows globally.
Global Partners In Life
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
It is an honor and a privilege for Global Partners In Life to serve the people in greatest need across the globe. Global Partners In Life was formed in 2004, and since then has provided for the educational, humanitarian, and medial needs of countless people needing assistance. Initially, GPIL supported a rural group of orphans that were living with distant family members or local villagers due to a lack of nearby orphanage facilities. As we continued supporting them, we also founded a scholarship at a university, provided medical supplies for the campus infirmary, and provided dictionaries for students. Throughout multiple teaching engagements, our founder, Beau Sides, was introduced to an independent, non-government run, special needs orphanage. His main draw to the orphanage was its warm and inviting atmosphere. The children’s needs range from health conditions associated with cleft palate, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy, to severe cardiac concerns. Although the home is small, it radiates with the amazing love the workers have for each child, regardless of their special need. One of the most touching things to see at the orphanage is how the children that once required almost constant attention are now able to help the younger children. It is also very special to hear all of the children calling the leader, Mom.
Examples
OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Building a facility to house 20 homeless widows with health issues in rural India
- Providing humanitarian, educational, & medical needs funding for orphans in multiple countries
- Meeting daily operational expenses of orphans and special needs orphans globally
- Assisting Ukrainian orphans
- We have built 102 homes for homeless widows
- Paying the salary for workers at orphanages
- Remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms at a special needs orphanage
- Purchasing a van for a special needs orphanage
- Paying for several medical procedures, including many open heart surgeries for orphans
- Providing funding for housing, food, transportation, medicine for widows
Current Goals
AND FUTURE VISIONS
- Raise funds to meet humanitarian, educational, and medical needs of orphans and widows
- Meet educational needs so orphans will have marketable skills and become independent
- Pay salaries for an additional workers at orphanagesIdentify and vet potential new partners providing for orphans and widows to increase our impact globally
Meet the People
WHO HELP MAKE THIS ORGANIZATION THRIVE
Beau Sides
Founder & President
Beau Sides is the founder and president of Global Partners In Life, a non-profit organization that excels in assisting orphans, widows, and those with special needs, globally with their humanitarian, educational, and medical needs. Beau considers the children he has served and gotten to know as his friends, and is honored to be a small part of their lives. He is amazed by how abandoned children with medical issues remain happy, and considers those children his teachers.
Beau is the author of two books, Lessons from China: A Westerner’s Cultural Education and Unseen Tears: The Challenges of Orphans and Orphanages in China, which share the fictional journeys of international traveler Jan Cross. The first book provides unique insights into current Chinese culture, etiquette, and economic development; and the second book describes the challenges and joys of her involvement with China’s special needs orphans and orphanages.
Board of Directors
MEET OUR GOVERNING & ADVISORY board
Brenda Clifton
ADVISORY BOARD
Brenda Clifton has been married to Don Clifton for 45 years. They proudly raised three children, and now have four very dear grand-children. Brenda taught kindergarten and first grade for 38 years, and was a finalist for the Teacher of The Year Award. Brenda has a passion for making a difference in the lives of children. This passion has taken her on many trips to Romania, Russia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Canada, and most recently, China.
Mark Miller
ADVISORY BOARD
Mark Miller is a Wall Street Journal and international best-selling author, communicator, and the former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A. Mark’s leadership journey at Chick-fil-A spanned 45 years, and today, he serves as the co-founder of Lead Every Day. Mark began writing almost twenty years ago, and with over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages, his global impact continues to grow.
Dr. Phillip Swords
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Swords owns a dental practice and is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the Medical University of South Carolina. He has stayed active in the community, serving as a member of the Central Education Center, Newnan Chamber of Commerce, Newnan City Council, and the ADA. Philip has also served on the boards of Bank of Coweta, Landmark School, The Heritage School, and Kids Kastle Park, which he founded.
Frank Windsor
ADVISORY BOARD
Frank joined Rinnai America as the general manager in 2014. Prior to that, he spent 23 years with the Kohler Company, where he most recently held the position of vice president of sales at Plumbing America’s from 2006 to 2014. Frank and his wife Robyn have been married for 24 years and are raising eight children. Frank holds a B.A. from the College of Wooster and a Master’s in business administration from Marquette University.
Tammie Adams
GOVERNING BOARD
Tammie works for Chick-fil-A in the design and construction department, and is married to Ray Adams. Tammie lives in Senoia, Georgia, and enjoys spending time with her one daughter, one son, two step-daughters, and four grand-daughters. She volunteers for the city of Senoia’s civic programs.
Robert Ervin
GOVERNING BOARD
Robert began his career with Ford Motor Company in 1974 in cost and general accounting. After more than 30 years with Ford, Robert retired as the financial controller. Post retirement, he pursued and obtained a Masters of Theology, Doctorate of Theology, and a Doctorate of Biblical Studies all from Immanuel Baptist Theological Seminary. Robert has served in leadership roles on multiple boards and teams for non-profit organizations.
Troy Slezak
GOVERNING BOARD
Troy joined the FAA in 1996 following his enlistment from the Air Force. He has held a number of leadership positions ranging from technical to professional. Troy received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and his Master’s in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. He actively serves in leadership roles with multiple nonprofits. Troy and his wife, Lori, reside in south metro Atlanta.
David Millican
GOVERNING BOARD
David joined Chick-fil-A in 2010, and now serves at the director of facilities and equipment. Previously, David was president of Trison Group Inc., a general contractor and consulting firm with offices in Tyrone, Georgia. He has a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering. David enjoys serving on several boards and is the founding member of Run Club USA. David and his wife, Lori, have three boys.
Leslie Sjurseth
ADVISORY BOARD
Leslie is married to Jeff Sjurseth. They have three children by birth and three by marriage, as well as two beautiful grand-children. Whether teaching English to refugees, working in orphanages, or raising money for organizations doing valuable work, Leslie enjoys working towards helping those in need. She also has her own international relocation business that helps immigrants settle into their new lives in Houston, Texas.
Jeff Sjurseth
GOVERNING BOARD
Jeff completed a 42-year career in the oil and gas industry, where he held a variety of managerial positions supporting international and domestic operations. Along with his wife, Leslie, and family, he spent over 16 years as an expatriate in Tunisia, Qatar, Australia, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Malaysia. He is well versed in strategic management, contracting strategy, new ventures and negotiations. Jeff has presented at industry conferences on numerous occasions, and during the latter years of his career, Jeff spent much of his time in advisory and mentoring roles as well as guest lecturing on international operations at Texas A&M’s Professional MBA program.
Jeff has been married to Leslie for 38 years. They have three children and five grandchildren. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors of Business Administration and earned a Masters of Business Administration from The University of Houston. He began the Doctorate of Business Administration program at the University of the Incarnate Word in 2017.
Mark Lawrence
GOVERNING BOARD
Mark joined Lendmark Financial in August of 2013 after serving 14 years at his previous employer. He has over 25 years of experience in information technology and now serves as the Chief Information Officer at Lendmark. Prior to Lendmark, he served as CTO/CISO for an Atlanta-based financial services company. Before returning to the private sector in 1995, Mark held technical and management positions with the Federal Aviation Administration and U. S. Air Force. Mark began his professional career with General Electric Medical Systems. He completed his Bachelor degree at the University of Georgia in 1980 where he also worked as a Staff Instructor during post-graduate studies.
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