GlocalNet DNA

Dr. Bob Roberts Jr. is a pastor and renowned bridge builder who has dedicated his life to promoting and advancing religious freedom, peacemaking and civil engagement. He is the founder of GlocalNet, a ministry dedicated to mobilizing the church to bring about transformation in the public square, co-founder of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN), an organization committed to promoting religious freedom through intentional cross-cultural relationships, and newly appointed president of the Institute of Global Engagement (IGE), an organization that catalyzes freedom of faith worldwide so that everyone has the ability to live what they believe.

With decades of experience in peacemaking and international religious freedom, Dr. Roberts’ groundbreaking work has earned him respect and recognition from the United Nations, U.S. Department of State, World Economic Forum, ambassadors, international royal families, and policy leaders worldwide. His impressive contributions were honored by The White House in 2022 when he and the MFNN co-founders received the Uniter Award for their inspiring grassroots bridge-building work across faith groups throughout the US.

For over 30 years, Dr. Roberts led Northwood Church near Dallas, Texas, where he is now the Founding Global Pastor. He is also a prolific author of six books and the host of the Bold Love podcast, where he shares stories of his journey and encouraging people to boldly love their neighbors.

Dr. Roberts holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a BA from Baylor University.

Darren grew up in a small town deep in Southern Illinois; his Boomer Sooner wife Dr. Kelli Casper, near Oklahoma City. They have been married since 1990 and have lived in the St. Louis area for that entire time. They have two sons, Jordan and wife Morgan along with Zac and his wife Jamie.

They have planted two churches together in St. Louis, one in the county and one in the south city neighborhood of Bevo Mill.  In recent years, Darren served as the Executive Director for St. Louis Metro and and formerly Plant Midwest. This was a family of churches aimed at mission and church planting. He has been involved in missions and church planting in several different countries throughout the world.  He is passionate about peacemaking and has been involved in the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network.

Darren is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Apart from his love for Christ, God’s church and his family, Darren enjoys college sports, golf, hunting and watching Indy Cars racing at 230+ mph.

Daniel Langford serves as the Chief Project Officer at the Center for Public Faith, where he works across four partner organizations: GlocalNet, Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, Institute for Global Engagement, and Glocal Ventures Inc. In this role, he ensures each nonprofit operates with efficiency, clarity, and excellence. His work often places him in collaboration with government officials and religious leaders both in the United States and around the world, united around a common goal: building flourishing communities through unlikely partnerships.

Before stepping into his current position, Daniel served as the Student Pastor at Northwood Church. He holds a degree in Business Marketing from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dan Worrell has dedicated the past 9 years as the Pastor of Operations and has faithfully served as an Elder for 14 years at Houston Northwest Church. His career began in the construction industry, where he and his wife, Gretchen, successfully owned and operated a 50-year-old commercial flooring company for 13 years. High school sweethearts, Dan and Gretchen have been married for 25 years and are proud parents of three children: Kylie, who is attending Baylor University; Luke, who is attending Texas A&M; and Ryan, who is currently a sophomore in high school. Dan Graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a Bachelor Degree in Business.

Josh is a marketing and communications veteran with 15 years of experience in leading teams in corporate, retail, leisure, family entertainment, sports, and church communications. Prior to his role at GlocalNet, he served as Vice President of Marketing at Urban Air Adventure Parks, a top 100 fastest growing company and #1 in fastest growing in entertainment in US (2018-2020) with over 160 locations, where he also served on the Senior Leadership Team. He has also owned a boutique advertising agency, worked at Fox Sports as an associate producer and served as a communications pastor.

Josh has a strong passion to communicate mission through branding, strategy, process, design and storytelling. His background includes development and leadership in marketing strategy, sales funnels, customer acquisition, online customer experience, creative design, branding, content development, social media and creative direction.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Josh holds a B.A. in Communications and Design from the University of Central Oklahoma. Josh and his wife Misty moved to Texas in 2005 and have two children.

Micah Fries (pronounced ‘Freeze’) has served over 21 years in ministry including 14 years as a Senior Pastor in Tennessee & Missouri. He also served as a Director of Ministry Development at LifeWay Christian Resources. Micah is a fantastic communicator being a frequent guest speaker at churches and conferences and an author of several books including Islam & North America: Loving our Muslim Neighbors, Leveling the Church, and a commentary volume on Haggai and Zephaniah in the Christ-Centered Commentary Series.

He holds a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from The Baptist College of Florida. He is currently a Ph.D. student, studying North American Missiology at Southeastern Seminary.

As Director of Engagement, Fries will use his skills to help churches mobilize their members through domains to serve glocally (global & local). He will help plan and execute various initiatives that will see work expand into nations. He will also assist in other areas of GlocalNet including curriculum development, fundraising, recruitment, and grant writing.

John Thielepape has served as the Director of Missions for the Parker Baptist Association since 2006. The Parker Association serves Southern Baptist churches in Parker County, Texas on the western side of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

John was raised in Nashville, TN and now lives in Weatherford, TX with his wife of 32 years, Charlotte, a retired public educator. They have one daughter and two sons. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis on Faith Development Theory.

After college, John served as a Missionary Journeyman with the International Mission Board in Zambia. Since then, he has served as an Associate Pastor and Pastor at churches in Burleson, Cleburne, and Arlington before becoming Director of Missions.

In addition to planting churches in Parker County, the Parker Association has formed church planting partnerships in Vermont, New York City, and Vancouver, BC in its goal to expand God’s Kingdom wherever it might find an opportunity for influence.

John is certified in church consulting, mediation, and leadership development. He finds his greatest passion in helping people find their vocational purpose in Christ and serve him through the avenues of daily life.

Omar studied business at St John’s College, founded by Jesuits priest locate in Belize, Central America. He is also a graduate of Vision University with a BA in Theology. He holds certifications in consulting and facilitation through the Biehl Institute and Wave Changers organization.

Omar has been married to Elysse for 39 years and have 4 kids and 3 grandbabies who have completely taken over their world. He enjoys books, traveling and believes his birthplace, Belize, is a place that you must put on your bucket list to visit. He is involved in many humanitarian projects in that country; working with leaders; in the education and government domains with a desire to see that country progress.