A name rooted in worship. A mission shaped by service.
Crescendo began with Charles Cheng, MD, and Karen Cheng, DMin, who co-founded Crescendo Music to create original Chinese worship music and support people in need. Their albums, Dawn to Dusk and Before Your Throne, were an early expression of that shared calling.
Our story
As Charles became involved in surgical mission work, the same desire to serve found a new expression. In 2026, Crescendo Music became Crescendo Missions—a name that speaks more clearly to the work today while honoring where it began.
The heart behind the name
These words continue to shape our posture. We seek to offer our skills with humility, compassion, and respect for the people and communities we serve.
Our leadership
Crescendo Missions is guided by a board of directors who bring medical experience, thoughtful oversight, and a shared commitment to this work.
President of the Board
Dr. Charles Cheng is a surgical oncologist with Fox Valley Surgical Specialists in Appleton, Wisconsin. He believes surgical skill can be a meaningful gift to those in need and that those same skills can be taught and multiplied through intentional training. Through Crescendo Missions, Dr. Cheng seeks to serve patients with compassion and support surgeons who are called to care for their own communities.
Board Member
Dr. Robert Ballard is a practicing surgeon with a focus on vascular surgery and a senior partner at Fox Valley Surgical Specialists. He brings a strong interest in medical economics, surgical excellence, and the use of medical skill for compassionate humanitarian work. Through his service on the board, Dr. Ballard helps support Crescendo Missions’ commitment to practical, skillful care for communities with limited access to surgery.
Board Member
Dr. Elisabeth Ballard is a neuroradiologist with a lifelong appreciation for medical mission work, shaped in part by watching her father serve through medicine. As both a physician and a person of faith, she brings a thoughtful perspective on humanitarian service, medical care, and the dignity of patients. Her board service helps support Crescendo Missions’ vision for compassionate, faith-rooted surgical care and training.
Board Member
Geoffrey Cheng has experience helping nonprofit organizations start, reorganize, and strengthen their ability to serve their communities. Professionally, he works in investment and advisory roles across technology, entertainment, consumer markets, and AI transformation, where he brings a strategic mindset and a gift for connecting people around shared purpose. Through his service with Crescendo Missions, Geoffrey helps support the organization’s growth, sustainability, and mission to serve communities through humanitarian surgical care and training.
