The calling to cross-cultural missions came early for Don Kammerdiener and has remained clear and clarion no matter where he has been or what he has done.“Throughout all his years of ministry,” says Carol Hawkins, his daughter and an IMB missionary to Chile, “my father’s mission and goal has never changed. “His heart beats to see the world come to know Christ."

His job, title and place of ministry have changed numerous times, but his focus has remained the same.”That focus began to take shape when he and Meredith were appointed missionaries in 1962 and served in Costa Rica, Colombia and Argentina.

Once on the mission field, Kammerdiener’s abilities and skills as an administrator were quickly recognized. In a short time, he became widely known as a model of servant leadership. One example of this occurred in 1980.That year, the city of Azul, Argentina, was swept by a flood. Missionaries gathered from across the country to help residents clean their homes and to help them begin getting their lives back together. Among them was Don Kammerdiener.

It was in that setting—with mop in hand—that he received a telephone call from Richmond asking him to join the then Foreign Mission Board as part of the leadership team for the mission agency.

In the past 21 years, he has served as director for Middle America and the Caribbean, vice president for the Americas and, since 1990, as executive vice president.

When Jerry Rankin was approached by board trustees to serve as president, the first person he called was Don Kammerdiener. Kammerdiener had served as interim president during the search process and guided the agency through a difficult period in its history.

“I really do not feel I would have risked stepping into this position without someone like Don by my side,” says Rankin.“ There is no one who serves at the International Mission Board who does not look up to him.”Kammerdiener’s integrity, compassion, commitment to relationships and wisdom have won him the respect, admiration and love of his colleagues.

He is known for his ability to ask the hard questions. And he is known for his fairness and an ability to inspire the best in those around him.In a book of letters addressed to Kammerdiener from friends and co-workers, Brian Allen, a director in the Office of Finance, wrote for his colleagues at the IMB.

“If the true test of a man is not only what he accomplishes,” he said, “but more so what he influences others to accomplish, you have certainly passed the test.”

The Kammerdieners are retired and live in Richmond.