About
Who We Are
A small board, a long history in Nicaragua, and a school in Nueva Guinea that opens its doors every morning.
Our History
NACE's founding missionaries, Bob and Barbara Kelly, have a history in Nicaragua stretching back to 1988. After finishing preliminary Spanish language studies, they remained in Costa Rica and worked with Nicaraguan refugees fleeing the civil war, serving those living in remote areas as well as in the cities.
After the Nicaraguan elections of 1990, the Kellys, with their four children, moved to Managua where they lived from 1991 to 1997. In those years they helped establish an orphanage, ran a pastors' Bible training center, founded a church, taught Bible in Christian schools, and spent two full years teaching Bible in public schools. Working with children was always at the forefront.
From 1997 to 2010 they continued activities in Nicaragua from the United States: supporting missionaries, funding projects, and taking short-term mission groups. In June 2007, they partnered with Dr. David Abebefe and Zoya Ministries to facilitate a medical clinic in Nueva Guinea. It was there that God birthed the desire to build a school as a tool for spreading the gospel of Jesus.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Dr. Bret Dahl
President and Chairman of the Board
BS and MS in Electrical Engineering; Doctorate of Ministry from The King's University (2024). Test/Product Engineering Manager at Texas Instruments since 1999, responsible for leading a team of technical test and product engineers working on radiation-hardened space products, high-speed communication devices, optical sensors, and magnetic position sensors.
Deacon and Life Group leader at Stepping Stones Church of McKinney. Has planned and led Christian-based science camps for schools in Nicaragua and the United States. Interests include astro-photography, public astronomy outreaches, and science education presentations at public and private schools.
At NACE: Oversees the ministry and the board meetings. Also helps Sarah Dahl with day-to-day responsibilities.
Sarah Dahl
Treasurer
BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in mathematics from John Brown University. Married since 1996 to Bret Dahl; they have two grown children and one grandson.
Spends many hours volunteering at Stepping Stones Church: vocalist on the worship team, serves in children's and women's ministry, and leads a Life Group. Hobbies include traveling to National Parks, photography, and playing pickleball. She enjoys making trips to Nicaragua to host science and sports camps, teach English lessons, and build lasting relationships with the teachers and staff.
She has been a part of NACE since its founding and has served as treasurer for its entire history.
At NACE: Tracks income and disbursements, sends reports to donors, and helps in other areas as needed.
Barbara Kelly, RT
Secretary
Co-founder of Manto de Gracia Christian School. Previously served as women's ministry director of the Spanish-speaking congregation of Grace Outreach Center (1997 to 2010). Registered X-Ray technologist in Texas since 1975.
At NACE: Secretary, and works with Robert Kelly in the day-to-day management of the school in Nicaragua.
Robert S. Kelly
Director
BS Computer Science, AA Practical Theology. Founder of Manto de Gracia Christian School in Nueva Guinea, RACCS, Nicaragua (2010). Previously served on the pastoral staff of Grace Outreach Center, Plano TX (1997 to 2010), and as a missionary in Managua, Nicaragua (1991 to 1997).
At NACE: Director of the work in Nicaragua and the official representative of NACE in that country.
Mark Miller
Board Member
Father to three children. Through his experience as a father, foster parent, and adoptive parent, Mark became directly involved in working for the welfare of children for more than a decade. Founded Miller & Associates in 2002 after a career at EDS and Deloitte & Touche; ranked in 2010 as the 89th fastest-growing IT services firm in the U.S. Founded Dedo Incorporated in 2009 to focus on touch and gesture-based technologies.
David Kelly
Board Member
BS in Business Administration. Five years in corporate finance, seven years in international supply chain management, and leadership roles in marketing and operations — including running operations for a startup marketing agency. Today he operates a small business and helps lead a nonprofit that serves single mothers.
Married to Jessica Kelly since 2006; father of Gianni and Lia.
At NACE: Brings his background in finance and operations to the board, supporting planning and organizational decisions.
Jessica Kelly
Board Member
She has always enjoyed working with children and families, and has been actively involved in her children's education through homeschooling, PTA, and school volunteering. Her children attended public elementary school before transitioning to homeschooling. Jessica supports her children's involvement in theater and club volleyball, and is passionate about Christian education, serving her community, and helping children and families thrive.
Support
Board of Advisors
Alex Chidichimo
Board Advisor
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Came to the United States in 2009 and earned a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas. Currently an IT Director at Texas Instruments. Married to Mandy Chidichimo since 2011; parent to Lucca and Isabella, and foster parent to Kameron.
At NACE: Crazy about technology. He leads our tech work and built this website.
Mandy Chidichimo
Board Advisor
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with Early Childhood through 6th Grade and ESL Certification, Texas Woman's University. Served as Children's Ministry Director at Grace Outreach Center (2008 to 2012); Kindergarten Teacher in Plano ISD since 2012. Special heart for kids learning second languages and kids with learning disabilities.
Jonathan Kelly
Board Advisor
BS Kinesiology, MS Parks Recreation & Fitness from University of North Texas. Graduate Assistant for UNT Men's Basketball (2007 to 2012). Director of Sports Ministries at Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church since 2012.
Rick Farr
Board Advisor
IBM large-system computer technician for 36 years. Worked on staff for Zoya Ministries for three years coordinating mission trips to Haiti, Nigeria, and Nicaragua. Made four mission trips to Nicaragua building churches and the groundwork for the Christian School in Nueva Guinea. Home group teacher for 12 years.
Give
Support the school.
Every gift goes directly to support the school and its students. Your support covers teacher salaries, library books, school lunches, and the buildings themselves.