OurLeadership

Brian Zaas – Chief Executive Officer

Brian Zaas brings a shepherd’s heart to growing and leading others, helping leaders develop strategies for disciple-making, advancing Christ, and reaching the unreached. Brian and his wife, Debi, previously served as Co-Directors for Navigators Life and Leadership Coaching, equipping ministry leaders in various contexts. Brian’s calling to reach the unreached began through leading short-term missions. He has 30+ years of experience in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development across churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Brian has served in pastoral roles and chaired a church’s Global Outreach Team. He holds a Master’s in Religious Studies/Christian Leadership, an MBA/MPA, and is a Professional Certified Coach. Brian and Debi live in Tampa, FL with their daughters and grandchildren. They enjoy friendships and the outdoors.

Laura Appling – Chief Operating & Financial Officer

Laura grew up as a military child and lived in several countries but spent much of her time growing up in West Texas. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in accounting and worked for public and private corporations before joining Launch Global. Laura has been married to her husband Kendall for over thirty years and has two children, Kristen and Jake, and two beautiful grandchildren and one on the way. Laura has had a heart for the nations since she was a small child and she and Kendall have supported missionaries financially for most of their married life. Working for Launch Global, she feels blessed that God allows her to use her talents in support of such a great calling. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and a close group of friends that they do life with.

Andy Kampman – US Director

Andy is from Iowa and studied Architecture at Iowa State University before entering into full-time ministry. Andy and his wife, Jamie, did college ministry for eight years. In 2006 they helped start what today is Launch Global. Now, Andy serves Launch Global as the U.S. Director to see the vision of the global church worshiping Jesus become a reality. Andy’s strong desire is to see more and more churches engaging in the evangelization of the world. He and Jamie have four children and love living in Austin! In his free time, you can find Andy mountain biking or enjoying good food around Austin.

Matt Dodson – International Director

Matt Dodson joined Launch Global as International Director in 2023. He is responsible for the organization’s international mobilization strategy and leading our international teams, and his desire is for all peoples to have the joy of knowing and worshiping Jesus. Before joining Launch Global, Matt, his wife Veronica and their two children spent 15 years serving among the unreached in East Asia. They led various teams in the pursuit of seeing healthy multiplying churches started among unreached people groups. Matt grew up in Central Texas where he attended Temple College and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. Matt enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor adventures, and exploring new places while learning local cultures.

Peter Chang – Strategy Officer

Peter is an Austin, Texas native and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been on staff with Launch Global since 2013. He firmly believes that seeing all peoples of the world worshipping Jesus is the only way we get to enjoy Jesus to the fullest—and he wants to be a part of seeing that happen! Peter is married to Helen and is father of Haven and Gideon. He’s also a die hard San Antonio Spurs fan (Go Spurs Go!).

Sam – US Mobilization and Movement Director

Sam is from Amarillo, TX and studied English Literature at Texas A&M University. He joined Launch Global in 2016 to work with churches in College Station, TX, a partnership that, by God’s grace, has equipped thousands of Aggies in basic disciple-making and sent many to multiply churches among the unreached. Sam helps to oversee all of our church partnerships in the U.S. to ensure they are equipped to train and send long-term laborers and leaders. He is married to Zoe and has two daughters, Phoebe and Leah. He enjoys sports, reading, movies, and having a good meal with friends!

Emily Boyd – Development Director

Emily earned her BBA from Baylor University and lives in Dallas, TX. Before joining the team in February 2024, Emily worked in non-profit development for ten years. She loves using her full-time work to join in the work God is doing to bring the gospel to the unreached! Emily is married to Bill and they have a daughter Ellie and a labradoodle, Miley. There is nothing she loves more than spending weekends with her family!

Joshua Rolf – Advancement Director

Josh is originally from Mililani Hawaii. He studied at California Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary before serving in missions at a local church for 13 years, where he helped start the Launch Global partnership at the church. He now lives in Virginia with his wife and two children. He is passionate about the mission of Launch Global as he sees Scripture crescendo at the moment the nations are all gathered worshiping Jesus—and he wants his life to be spent toward that end! Fun fact about Josh: he competed in statewide high school chess tournaments as a seventh grader.

Krystle Roberts – Diversity & Multicultural Church Director

Krystle serves as Launch Global’s Director of Diversity & Multicultural Church Partnerships, recruiting and empowering diverse churches and goers, and equipping our staff to empower more diverse peoples. Krystle passionately believes that the hope the world is looking for will only be found in Jesus, and wants to empower more people to make Him known across the world. She was born and raised in Bryan, Texas and studied Chemical Engineering at Prairie View A&M University. She also earned her Masters and Doctorate in Theological Studies through The Institute for Teaching God’s Word Seminary. In her free time, Krystle enjoys competitive board games, baking, and cooking good food to bring joy to the world in a different way.

Katrina Crosby Watters – Strategic Support & Planning Administrator

Katrina lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband Nate, their daughter Grace, and their dog Marley. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and previously worked with The Navigators in their Lead-Develop-Care department. Kat’s skills in team leadership, project management, and process implementation further the vision of Launch Global to spread the hope of the gospel to the unreached. Fun fact: Kat was a contestant on a Nickelodeon game show when she was a kid, narrowly missing the grand prize of a trip to Space Camp!