Our Vision
GOSPEL PROCLAMATION ~ TRAINING PASTORS ~ PLANTING CHURCHES
God is at work in the hearts of the people of Israel. The Gospel of Jesus is radically changing lives and bringing God's people together across all boundaries. Middle East Ministries aims to reach the lost, strengthen those who believe, and passionately serve God and His purposes.
History and Purpose
Middle East Ministries began in 1995 with the hope of bringing God's message of reconciliation to all of the children of Abraham, the Jewish people as well as the Arab people, in the Holy Land.
Middle East Ministries is committed to building a strong community of believers in Jesus as Messiah. Our purpose is to make disciples who will establish Home Fellowships in Israel and the Middle East that impact the nations.
In addition to our ministry in Israel and the Middle East, we also believe Christians who understand and appreciate the Jewish heritage of their faith will become burdened to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." To that end, we provide programs and messages which help Christians understand the Jewish roots of their faith and the prophetic plan of God for Israel's future.
CORE VALUES
Teaching
the Scriptures
Proclaiming
the Gospel
Praying
Passionately
Planting Churches
Developing Partners for God's Purposes
What We Believe
statement on antisemitism
In light of the October 7,2023 Massacre, hostage taking, and war, Middle East Ministries (MEM) reaffirms support for the suffering Jewish people. With these events visible to everyone, one might hope that antisemitism would be weakening, but it has grown many times stronger in most of the world including acts of violence against Jewish people and property. We stand 100% against antisemitism anywhere and for Israel’s right to exist and we call on the Church to stand with us in support of our Jewish friends, and against anti-Semitism in all its forms..
Mankind is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). We have a shared humanity, and all ethnicities have equal value: “He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:25-26). Therefore, we deplore any effort to connect “Christian” with racism of any kind.
Daniel Harder, President of Middle East Ministries
Stories
ABAGAIL
A single mother struggling to raise her three children, ages 1, 2, and 4. Her brother, who lives in the North, visited our city and brought his two sisters to our congregation. While both were living in the world, Abagail showed interest and began attending a house congregation regularly. Thanks to God’s grace, Abagail is experiencing significant change in her life because of Jesus the Messiah. Throughout this conflict, we’ve witnessed the Holy Spirit's transformative power, enabling us to be a light in a society engulfed in trauma from the war.
EITAN and noam
Eitan is growing in his leadership, especially in facilitating oral inductive Bible studies, and has even begun gathering people in his home while remaining connected to his local congregation. Noam, who was seriously injured in Gaza over a year ago, is a powerful reminder of God’s grace. The Lord spared his leg, and after a difficult season emotionally and spiritually, he was finally able to join one of our trainings. Through time in the Word and prayer, he was deeply encouraged and refreshed. Thank you for praying—God is continuing to restore, equip, and raise up leaders even in the midst of hardship.
ISAAC
A recent immigrant from the Middle East, he has come to faith and is now preparing for baptism. He's been connected with a local church and has been discipled online, and is currently undergoing Bible studies in his native language. Please pray for him as he faces challenges with his family, that he'll grow in his faith and be a strong witness for Jesus to those around him.
samira
Lina and her husband Ahmad, once hesitant about faith, have begun engaging in spiritual conversations after building a relationship through hospitality. Their neighbor, Samira, a 74-year-old widow who once read a gospel booklet over and over, has been hungry for God’s Word. We were able to pray with her, provide a New Testament, and connect her to a local congregation—where she is now attending and growing with joy. Thank you for praying as God continues to draw people to Himself and place them in community.
Our team
Our Board
Daniel Harder
Chairman of the Board
Daniel is a church planter at heart having served for 28 years in Bogota, Colombia, planting churches and developing a church-planting network in Latin America. Since 2011, he has led Middle East Ministries with a focus on starting home congregations and training house church leaders in Israel to bless all the children of Abraham.
Additionally he serves as President of the MEM organization.
Bill Bertsche
Vice Chairman
Dr. Bill Bertsche is the Executive Pastor at The Moody Church in Chicago, IL. He joined the staff of the church in October, 1994. He was Pastor of Missions for many years. Currently Bill’s primary responsibility as Executive Pastor is to oversee the ministries and the ministers of the church. He has held this position since 2012 and is grateful to the Lord to serve with such a gifted and godly staff. Bill and his wife, Carmé have four adult children.
Bert Wicks
Treasurer
Bert has been committed to ministries focused on Israel for many years. He has served in church leadership as a Lead Elder. Professionally, he has been an executive in the energy industry. He brings his love for God and his administrative gifts in service to further MEM’s Great Commission goals.
He serves as the CFO for the organization.
Mario Mammina
Mario Mammina has lived, worked, and traveled internationally for over a decade, coordinating trips and guiding hundreds of people on educational tours, leadership training, and mission trips around the globe. He is a manager of several locations for Voss Lighting. Mario is an author, speaker, and trainer. His passion is to share the Gospel and make disciples through one-on-one and small-group facilitating in his local church in Lincoln, NE, where he lives with his wife and two sons.
Gary Monds
Gary Monds graduated in Business/Finance from Southern Illinois University. For the last 25 years he has owned a retail business. He grew up in a Southern Baptist church and helped to plant a new church. He is serving a second five year term as an elder at Grace Pointe Church.
Phil Kuo, MD
Secretary
Phil serves as secretary for MEM, with a focus on communication and donor engagement. He practices Internal Medicine in Nashville, TN, and enjoys writing and playing piano. He is honored to serve in MEM, eagerly expecting the fulfillment of Isaiah 19:23-25, Romans 11:15, and Romans 11:26.
Nick Tidwell
Nick has served as the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallatin, TN, since January 2017. He has practiced law since 2005 and founded the Christian legal aid ministry, Compassionate Counsel, in 2011. He and his wife have three children.
Nick has experienced the transformative power of the Gospel in his own life, and he desires to equip Christ-followers to live out the Gospel daily as they make disciple-makers in their homes, communities, and to the ends of the earth.
Keith Moore
Keith and Dawn Moore have helped start churches in Colombia and Tegucigalpa and still provide oversight to leaders in the process of muttiplication. They currently serve in Impacto Church in Charlotte, NC. It is a church for Hispanics with 15 countries represented. Keith and Dawn have four adult children.
Our staff
Daniel Harder
International Director
Additionally he serves as President of the MEM organization.
DENISE WICKS
Denise serves as Prayer Coordinator. She has been involved in leading and participating in prayer ministries over 20 years at her home church and for Middle East Ministries. She applies Colossians 4:2, "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving," in all she tries to do.
Bert Wicks
CFO
Bert & his wife Denise serve as volunteers for MEM.
Kris Cheek
USA Director
Kris and his wife Natalie have over 20 years of church planting and cross cultural missions experience, as well as extensive non-profit leadership knowledge. As USA Director, Kris focuses on strengthening and expanding partnerships across the U.S. to support MEM's vision and ministry leaders in Israel and the Middle East.
Marti Carey
Marti manages the website and other computer tasks. She and her husband, John, went to Israel with MEM in 2018 and she's always had a heart for missions. She's grateful to be able to use her skillset to volunteer for MEM and the Outreach Ministry at their church.
Contact Us
Mailing
Phone
630.605.4865
Middle East Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.