About Us

Leon and Melanie Best

Leon is a Texan, spending most of his pre-adult life between San Antonio and Houston. I am from Little Rock, AR. We met at Rice University and dated through college. We graduated and married in 2000. While in college, we both grew in our walks with the Lord. We became involved with Cru, and started the African-American ministry called the Impact Movement at Rice.

In 1998, Leon and I began to think and pray about how we could best invest our time and talents. We were leading the Impact Movement at Rice as Bible Study leaders and Evangelism coordinators with Cru. The Lord led us to join Impact Movement in 2002. In 2005, we moved to the Impact National Headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Leon helped supervise university movements in the South from North Carolina to Texas. Then Leon and I responded to an invitation by Campus Crusade for Christ-South Africa to help rebuild the campus movement in 2009. Leon was the Provincial Team Leader of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Our family served South Africa for 12 years.

In September 2024, and after 24 rewarding years at Cru, Melanie and I are thrilled to announce our transition to a new ministry opportunity at Batho Pele Resource Center (BPRC). We are passionate about the mission of BPRC and the impact we will make in the Houston area. In the spirit of hope and innovation, BPRC forges connections by linking underserved communities to essential resources. Our mission is to empower, equip, and enrich lives, creating a tapestry of resilience and potential through the transforming power of the Gospel. With our foundation of evangelism and discipleship, and by strengthening the pillars of family, schools, churches, and small businesses, we will raise up Great Commission communities.

The Lord blessed us with Leon Mack Best II (21), Noel Desire Best (19), Nala Brooke Best (18) and Elle Jaye Best (8). As a family, we love the Lord and desire to see His Will done in our lives. Our role with the BPRC will allow us to see Jesus Christ change lives and revitalize broken communities. We have found Isaiah 58:12 to be so true:

Your people will rebuild ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwelling.

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