February 1, 2024 / SonLight Spotlight on the SonLight Power Director of Programs
Navigating Work, Family, and Adoption – An Inspirational Journey of Faith, Dedication, and Global Impact
Video caption: During a recent site visit on the Honduran island of Roatan, Clay Luna met with missionary Rene Pizzati of Legacy Mission International to learn more about the energy challenges so common to mission organizations like Legacy that serve in regions where electricity is unreliable and expensive.
Imagine a career that requires leaving the comforts of home an average of one week every month.
That’s 25% of your life spent away from family, friends, church, and home.
A quarter of your year traveling by plane (some with propellers), boat (nearly capsizing on occasions), or vehicle (most wouldn’t be allowed on U.S. roads) to some of the most remote, underserved locations on earth. Villages in Honduras, Mexico, Togo, and Haiti, just to name a few.
This is the reality for SonLight Power’s Director of Programs, Clay Luna. But he doesn’t want you to feel sorry for him, no. He wants to inspire you to come along for the ride.
We recently sat down with Clay and his lovely wife, Melissa, to ask them questions you might ask. Like the SonLight Power mission itself, we learned there’s much more to Clay and his family than solar power.
Clay Luna: Road Warrior
In his role as Director of Programs, Clay advances the SonLight Power mission by scoping, designing, and installing solar systems to equip partners and people living in energy poverty with renewable energy solutions in [mostly] developing countries.
Clay works full-time for SonLight Power, traveling internationally sometimes more than one week per month, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and backers (that’s you!).
With a packed schedule of some 15 solar projects this year all outside a six-hour radius from his home, Clay is immersed in the mission of using God’s love and solar power to equip communities in need of hope and reliable, affordable electricity.
“We've got an amazing volunteer base,” says Clay. “There are a couple hundred volunteers, and some of them go on every trip they possibly can. Some tell us, ‘Hey, I'm saving my one vacation week this year to go on a SonLight Power mission trip.’”
“And I feed him,” Melissa, Clay’s wife, deadpans.
Melissa & Clay: Heroes Home and Away
Kidding aside, it’s safe to say Clay couldn't perform his role without Melissa's support.
Amid a demanding mission travel schedule, Clay credits Melissa for homeschooling their children and managing the household, allowing him to focus on SonLight Power’s work.
Melissa's crucial role is evident, and both she and Clay involve their twin girls in SonLight Power projects, teaching them the importance of generosity. Through thoughtful preparations like handmade bracelets for use on mission trips, the family demonstrates their commitment to missions.
Melissa integrates Spanish language and Honduran culture, for example, into homeschooling, aligning it with Clay's mission experiences. Their dedication shines in providing an education that reflects Clay's work and experiences.
Looking ahead to this year’s projects, with potential weeks-long missions in Mexico and West Africa, Clay values Melissa's ability to manage things at home, ensuring their family is cared for.
Church as Extended Family
For most of their relationship, Clay and Melissa have been a part of Thousand Hills Cowboy Church in Ethridge, Tennessee.
While extremely capable, Clay worries about leaving Melissa and the kids while he’s traveling. "Do I worry about it? Yes, but I know I don’t have to worry" says Clay. He credits the support of their church community, describing it as "absolutely miraculous."
On one occasion, the fan belt in Melissa’s car went out while Clay was traveling for SonLight Power. Clay recounts a powerful moment: "Two guys from church promptly stepped outside, fixed her car, and had it ready for her when church was over."
This story exemplifies the steadfast support Melissa receives from their community during challenging times, especially when Clay is traveling. In addition, Thousand Hills Cowboy Church has also supported SonLight Power by sending teams on solar installation trips.
In another example, Melissa demonstrated exceptional support when one of Clay's week-long mission trips turned into a month due to unexpected extensions in Haiti. She reassured Clay to focus on the mission, expressing confidence the family would manage well in his absence.
Clay & Melissa’s Adoption Journey
During infertility struggles, Clay and Melissa were able to enjoy their first six or so years of marriage sans children, while they prayed and waited to become parents.
Melissa describes the waiting period as a form of worship. Reflecting on the desire for a child, she shares, "We wanted a child, but I didn't want to be that person saying, 'I want a baby right now.'"
Clay reflects on the supportive church community during their infertility journey, where people refrained from intrusive questions and instead offered prayers. When the couple decided to adopt, the church played a significant role, broadcasting the news and celebrating it in a worship service.
The idea of adoption emerged naturally as they noticed themes of adoption in worship songs and Bible studies. Inspired by their pastor's adoption experience through an organization called Children's Lifeline, the couple decided to explore adoption, eventually connecting with that same organization to bring their girls, Destiny and Desiree, into their lives.
Despite initial expectations of a three to five-year adoption process, Clay and Melissa remarkably brought the girls home within nine months, surprising all involved. “It was crazy,” says Melissa. “It was as if I was growing a child myself.”
Most recently, Clay and Melissa added to their family by adopting a baby boy, Caleb, or CJ, as the family affectionately calls him.
Caleb was born in Georgia and when he was two days old, Clay and Melissa received the call. While not knowing what it feels like to go into labor, Melissa and Clay know what it’s like to hustle and find a babysitter for their older children while packing up to drive to Georgia to adopt their son.
The Luna family, now consisting of members from Kansas (Destiny and Desiree), Georgia (CJ), California (Melissa), and Tennessee (Clay), acknowledges the divine guidance that brought them together.
Melissa emphasizes the shared mission with which they believe God has entrusted them, extending to SonLight Power and beyond. The adoption experience has opened her eyes, prompting a realization about the broader purpose of their family—to share God's story, bringing honor and glory to His name.
Always Growing: Trusted Expertise Strengthens SonLight Power Credibility
Clay's earlier experiences like serving in the Marine Corps prepared him for harsh environments, leading teams, problem-solving, and cultural adaptation with SonLight Power. Past jobs, church roles, and raising kids with Melissa have all equipped him for this role.
Eight years ago, Clay reached out to SonLight Power founder Allen Rainey about solar power mission work, which led to him joining the organization. The challenges and training Clay faced throughout his life have shaped him to lead effectively, contributing to the success of SonLight Power’s mission work.
Maintaining various industry credentials, including an electrical license and North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certifications, is crucial for building trust with SonLight Power’s mission partners.
These certifications enhance SonLight Power's credibility, reassuring partners that SonLight Power can be trusted to design and build solar power systems that last.
The reputation established by Allen in the early 2000s laid the foundation, as SonLight Power has a 23-year history of successfully managing challenging missions, distinguishing SonLight Power from alternatives in the mission field.
Maintaining certifications and ongoing training in the latest technology has helped Clay propel SonLight Power to become the trusted partner for solar power among other prominent nonprofit organizations. Over time, this trust has led to larger, more complex solar solutions that equip expansive mission campuses, hospitals, and community centers.
SonLight Power's growing list of mission partners includes Back2Back Ministries, an international orphan care mission. In addition to equipping Back2Back sites in Haiti and Cancun with critical solar power, the trust built between the two organizations has led to upcoming solar projects at Back2Back’s Monterrey (Mexico) and Nigeria sites.
By offering specialized skills and technology training, SonLight Power remains in high demand, equipping and empowering other effective missions to further the gospel.
“You know, the project we're installing at a hospital in West Africa with ABWE this year is a big one,” says Clay. “When we’re done with the solar project, the money they're going to save is enough to support the salaries of 20 more doctors.”
Projects like these are reasons why your support of SonLight Power transforms and even saves lives.
It’s this kind of live-saving impact that opened the doors for Clay to receive NABCEP’s Walt Ratterman Award for Creative Community Energy in 2021. In his humility, Clay is reluctant to talk about it, but the honor he considers receiving the award is palpable.
“NABCEP deemed that what I was doing at the time was worthy of an award celebrating humanitarian aid and giving back,” says Clay. “It was for one of the projects we did in Haiti for a hospital.”
Clay is referring to the SonLight Power solar microgrid installation at Peredo Community Hospital, operated by Haitian Christian Outreach, which has continued to remain open and care for patients during Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian crisis – all because of their decision to invest in solar power instead of generators run by diesel fuel.
“They’ve had power the whole time and have been able to save lives,” says Clay.
Participating in conferences, like NABCEP CE and RE+, another leading conference in renewable energy education, and earning ongoing education hours through online trainings are all ways Clay maintains these certifications, which, of course, adds up to more travel, more time on the road furthering SonLight Power’s mission.
The Power of Partnership
Two years ago, it became clear that SonLight Power needed to find warehouse space close to Clay’s home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to receive, store and ship solar power equipment.
Struggling to find space, a church friend suggested Clay reach out to Keith Rohling at Allsource Transportation and Logistics. Meeting with Keith, Clay explained SonLight's needs. Expecting space at a premium cost, Clay was floored when Keith offered SonLight Power more than 60,000 square feet of space and related shipping services…for free!
Driven by a shared passion for missions, the Allsource | SonLight Power partnership has significantly reduced storage and shipping costs and provided crucial support for SonLight Power’s operations, demonstrating the impact of collaborative efforts in advancing the mission.
“It was so amazing,” says Clay. “I mean, there are so many God-stories or God-winks in the last eight years with SonLight Power.”
Of their life as a family of five on mission, joined together with SonLight Power, supported by their church and family, Melissa says the faith-filled adventure is worth the sacrifice. “And I wouldn't want it any other way. I wouldn't want my life to be any other way.”
To engage Clay and the SonLight Power team to equip your mission with solar power, visit the Equip Your Mission page on the SonLight Power website: https://www.sonlightpower.org/equip-your-mission
Read more about Clay receiving NABCEP's Walt Ratterman Award for Creative Community Energy here: https://www.sonlightpower.org/news/clay-luna-recognized-by-nabcep-with-walt-ratterman-award
For more information: How to equip your mission with solar power
