OUR STRUCTURE

THE STRUCTURE OF OUR MINISTRY

Light of Life International exists to identify, train, establish, and strengthen local Christian leaders and churches throughout the Middle East. Our ministry brings together stateside leadership and oversight, trusted field leadership, local pastors and churches, and a network of supporting churches and individuals who share a commitment to advancing the gospel.

Our Executive Director provides overall leadership, vision, and coordination for the ministry, working closely with our field leaders and ministry partners throughout the Middle East. He also oversees stateside operations and helps connect the work taking place on the field with the churches and individuals who faithfully support it.

The Executive Director serves under the oversight of our Board of Directors. The Board provides spiritual, organizational, and financial accountability, establishes ministry policies and priorities, and helps ensure that Light of Life International remains faithful to its biblical mission and responsible in its stewardship.

This structure allows us to combine meaningful accountability and responsible oversight with strong leadership on the field as we develop leaders, establish churches, and work toward our mission of connecting those who have the gospel with those who don’t.

I receive a modest salary to direct the ministry.  As our ministry grows, all new support is used in two ways. First, to help support more pastors in the Middle East. Our goal is to have as many church planters as possible, since we work in such an unreached area, with so few churches. Second, the finances will sometimes be used for special projects—mainly outreach projects to refugees.

The board also stewards all finances. Even though I am the director of ministry, I am unable to either write or cash any checks for the ministry. This is only to be done by our treasurer or secretary. This ensures a system of checks and balances. We also believe that being sent out by a local church, while also having an independent board which oversees the ministry, is an excellent way to keep all costs of ministry low. Currently, we average 5%-7% yearly on administrative costs. Because of our structure, more of the money given to missions ends up on the mission field. All of our board members serve as volunteers.

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

PASTOR SCOTT BLANCHARD

Board President
Lake Point Church

Born in Royal Oak with an 80% hearing loss, Scott has overcome his handicap to inspire people of all ages with practical truths from God’s word. After graduating from high school, Scott went to Bible College in Florida and earned a degree in pastoral ministries. In 1999, Scott joined the pastoral staff at Marcus Pointe Church in Pensacola, FL for ten years. While serving at Marcus Pointe, Scott met Karen and they were married in 2001. After serving for ten years, Scott and his family moved back to Michigan to start Lakepointe Church in 2009. They are blessed with two beautiful children, Nathan and Abigail.

PASTOR JEREMY SCOTT

Executive Director
Light of Life International

Jeremy is the Lead Pastor at Memorial Baptist Church in the Madison area of Wisconsin. He grew up in a Christian home and at an early age had the desire to pastor a church. With this sense of calling, Jeremy entered Bible College after high school and earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies. His postgraduate work has led to two Master’s Degrees (M.A. & M.Div. both in Theological Studies) and a Doctoral degree from Southern Seminary (D.Ed.Min).

Since Jeremy is originally from Michigan, he is an avid fan of the University of Michigan – a lonely calling in the heart of Badger country. Previous ministries have included Jeremy pastoring in Rhode Island and Illinois. He feels honored to serve the Lord at Memorial and is thankful for God’s mercy and grace that has been abundantly given to him. When asked about hobbies, Jeremy says that he likes to spend time with his best friend and wife Anouk, as well as with their children, Michaela and Isaiah. If there is any time left over he enjoys reading a good book or watching sporting events.

SCOTT CHIVERS

Board Member – Treasurer
Director of Operations, ABM Industries

Scott works at ABM Industries as the Director of Operations in the Healthcare division. He oversees all hospital parking operations in the Central U.S. region. His unique background with experience in both pastoral ministry and the business world make him an asset to our ministry in many ways. Scott is married to his wife, Melissa, and they have 6 children. They currently reside in Tulsa, OK. Spending time with family, watching sports, and relaxing with friends are some of his favorite things to do in his free time. Scott is passionate about the mission of Light of Life and views it as a privilege to serve on the Board.

JEREMY’S ROLE AS DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY

The Executive Director of Light of Life International provides overall leadership and direction for the ministry and serves as a vital connection between our ministry partners in the United States and our work throughout the Middle East. Jeremy Scott serves in this role while continuing as a pastor in Wisconsin.

Jeremy works closely with our field leaders to identify and develop emerging Christian leaders, strengthen established pastors and churches, evaluate new ministry opportunities, and provide organizational and financial oversight. He travels to the Middle East to teach and train, mentor leaders, strengthen relationships, and see firsthand how ministry resources are being used.

When stateside, Jeremy oversees day-to-day operations and strengthens relationships with the churches and individuals who make this ministry possible. At the heart of his role is developing people—helping faithful leaders develop other leaders and healthy local churches establish new churches.

WHY WE PARTNER WITH NATIONAL PASTORS

  • We believe one of the most effective ways to advance the gospel in the Middle East is to identify, train, establish, and strengthen faithful local leaders who can reach their own communities.

  • Local pastors understand the language, culture, customs, and challenges of the people they serve. They have relationships and opportunities for ministry that outsiders often cannot develop. Our role is to come alongside these leaders with theological and leadership training, ongoing encouragement and accountability, and financial and practical resources.

  • Our goal is not simply to support individual pastors or existing churches. We want to develop leaders who make disciples, establish healthy churches, train other leaders, and help those churches reproduce.

  • This approach also allows us to steward the resources entrusted to Light of Life International carefully, investing directly in local leaders and churches where those resources can have a lasting impact.

  • Ultimately, we want to see the gospel advance through healthy, reproducing churches led by faithful local leaders who are equipped to reach and disciple the next generation.

CONNECTING THOSE WHO HAVE THE GOSPEL WITH THOSE WHO DON’T