ABOUT US
Founded in 2021, The Vine Partnerships was established as a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation with the mission of supporting diverse local leaders throughout the world as they learn, serve, and lead in their communities. Our Board of Directors is committed to integrity in its governance and in the stewardship of its resources. We invite you to join us as we build out a global network of transformative partnerships.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JONATHAN MURPHY
Member, Board of Directors
Jonathan is from Virginia, in the U.S. Prior to attending law school, Jonathan lived in Uganda for nearly five years, where he collaborated with Ugandan partners to launch a nonprofit dedicated to providing adult education and development opportunities in remote communities throughout Uganda. Today, Jonathan is a Partner with Fortif Law Partners, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama where he practices law with a focus on corporate governance and transactions, tax, public policy, and community development. Jonathan received a B.S. from Liberty University summa cum laude and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law magna cum laude. Jonathan lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife, son, and two dogs.
FELIX OKOT
Member, Board of Directors
Felix is from Gulu, Northern Uganda and has lived and worked in both the U.K. and Uganda. Felix is a Manager at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, where he directly monitors and regulates the drilling activities and petroleum production facilities of the two largest oil companies operating in the country. Felix received his BSc Chemical and Process Engineering (1st Class) at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) followed by a MSc Refinery Design at University of Manchester (United Kingdom). He is married to Flora and they have have two wonderful children, Simone and Zachary. Felix enjoys traveling, sports, reading, and having a good laugh. He values excellence, integrity and relationships.
NICOLAS KYALANGALILWA
Member, Board of Directors
Rev. Mulondani Nicolas Kyalangalilwa is the pastor of Lephare Bukavu and chairs a 7-member church council. Nicolas is married to Rachel and they have three children: a boy, Benaiah, and two daughters, Ronelle and Abigail. Nicolas was born and raised in the city of Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He attended Alfajiri College until obtaining his state diploma in Literary Section option Latin-Philosophy. He graduated (Bachelor in Pharmacology) from the Midrand Graduate Institute (MGI- 2007) and holds two postgraduate degrees, a Masters (and Honours) degree in Pharmacology from the University of Pretoria (2011) as well as a Masters in Theology from Capital Seminary-Lancaster Bible College (in Pennsylvania in USA-2018). He is currently a PhD student in Organizational Leadership at the same institution. Nicolas also received theological training at Johannesburg Bible College. He ministered for a time at Christ Church Midrand (CCM) in South Africa. He returned to Bukavu to set up Lephare-Bukavu (REACH-DRC). Nicolas is a Member of the Council of The Gospel Coalition Africa (https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org) and of the Advisory Board of City to City- Africa (https://citytocityafrica.com).
MATT MIHELIC
Member, Board of Directors
Prior to becoming a pastor, Matt graduated from Liberty University and the Liberty University School of Law. After law school, he partnered with Ugandan church planters to help start City on a Hill Church in Jinja, Uganda. Later, he graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also taught courses in politics at Boyce College. He has lived and ministered among the refugee community in Louisville, KY. Following the completion of a pastoral training program at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC, he returned to Knoxville to join the staff at Shoreline Church before becoming the Lead Pastor of Island Home Baptist Church.