FIRM is a non-profit based in the heart of Jerusalem.The vision: to see a day when every person in Israel is transformed by the love of Yeshua. The mission: To engage Christians and empower local ministries to see lives transformed in Israel.
God put a vision on the hearts of Michael and Wayne. FIRM would partner with local ministries to transform lives in Israel with the love of Jesus.Wayne realized early on that local believers are the best equipped to share the love and message of Yeshua (Jesus) with their neighbors. Christians give millions of dollars every year to bless Israel but so few of those dollars actually impact Israeli lives with the love of Jesus. Something needed to change.
In the past, CLA was catalytic to planting a permanent Gospel witness in the heart of Jerusalem. King of Kings Assembly is now one of the largest and most influential churches in the nation. We celebrate the ongoing spiritual fruit of this past legacy. But we cannot simply remember the past. We must push forward with new moments of spiritual influence for the next generation. This month we have an opportunity to further solidify the work of Christ in Israel for generations to come by helping FIRM (Fellowship of Related Ministries) also purchase property.
Dr. Wayne Hilsden is President of FIRM. He and his wife Ann co-founded King of Kings Community Jerusalem in 1983 partnership with CLA.
They are co-founders of FIRM. Wayne regularly speaks at Christian conferences around the world, focusing on Israel and God’s heart for the Jewish people.
Wayne and Ann have four sons and several grandkids, and they continue to serve in Jerusalem today.
Michael Mistretta is the CEO of FIRM: Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Michael was raised in the church and later received a call to Israel where he met Pastor Wayne Hilsden and helped to start FIRM.
From starting his own company as a teenager to his 10 years of ministry experience, Michael is an entrepreneur and innovator who is passionate about seeing ministries in Israel thrive and people coming to know Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah.
Due to the current war happening in Israel, Ilya and Janet Bantseev have focused much of their attention on providing tangible support and care for the residents of Israel.
Having a deep love for the Jewish people their entire lives, they feel privileged to serve Israelis at this time in life-giving ways.
The Bantseevs currently support and care for Ukrainian refugees, Holocaust survivors, displaced Israeli families, and reservists serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. They put on concerts, organize programming for children and youth, and provide necessary items such as clothing, food boxes, furniture, appliances, etc., to those needing immediate physical help.
Ilya also serves as the regional director for Teen Challenge Eurasia, overseeing ten centers scattered throughout the Eurasia region that are helping those battling drug and alcohol addictions. They both serve alongside the staff at King of Kings Assembly Network.
