ANDREW BUSH, D.Min.
Andrew is an author, professor, pastor, strategist, and leader in cross-cultural Christian service. From his thirty-five years of work internationally, Andrew says, “Christian mission is an adventure in the discovery of the depths of the love of God.” He seeks to support and encourage non-Western Christians by listening to and learning from them as they make costly decisions to follow Christ in the most difficult circumstances. Andrew says, “After decades of receiving from the West, the Christian brothers and sisters from Asia, Africa and South America now have much to give to us. In seeking to advance the work of God, if we are wise, we will do less going to speak and more going to learn.” Andrew began his international service in the Philippines where he established Harvesters Christian Fellowship (1987-1998). Since 1998 Andrew and Karen have focused their service in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Presently, Andrew is the Director of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice as well as the pastor of the East Jerusalem International Church. Andrew speaks widely in churches, conferences, colleges and universities. He holds post-graduate degrees from the École Biblique et Archéologique Française in Jerusalem and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Karen Bush, MSW
As if raising five children while juggling the challenges of living abroad were not enough, Karen has served women in childbirth prenatal support and those suffering trauma for thirty years. As a licensed midwife she served women in squatters’ villages in Manila, and in the Red Crescent Hospital in Ramallah, the Palestinian Territories. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In the Holy Land today Karen is focusing on leading trauma recovery workshops and training other trauma specialists. Karen says, “Having lived through the trauma of war myself, I care deeply for those who are trying to heal from the unseen wounds of conflict. We can be vessels of healing by coming alongside those who are hurting as their friends.”
Team in the Middle East
Andrew is currently the pastor of the East Jerusalem International Church. The EJIC has served the international community in Jerusalem for many decades. Members of the church are from Nigeria, Chile, South Africa, England, the Palestinian Territories, and Israel. It is often difficult to find a spiritual home when involved in international work. The EJIC is providing such a spiritual home!
The East Jerusalem International Church is an English-speaking yet diverse community of followers of Jesus who seek to be an oasis of encouragement in Christ for all peoples.
Also, Andrew and Karen are working closely with Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem and Bethlehem to sow seeds of peace for all peoples in Israel and Palestine.
Bari and Elsie Panopio
Bari is the Lead Pastor of Harvesters Christian Fellowship in Manila, the Philippines. He guides the pastoral staff and oversees HCF’s six congregations, and several new church plants. Bari also chairs both the HCF Board, as well as the board of HCFI (Harvesters for Christ Foundation Inc.) that reaches out to the urban poor and other marginalized groups. Bari says, "‘Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.’ Our God demands perfection not in the way we look or speak but in the way we love. Manila and its surrounding provinces are filled with people who are skeptics and hopeless. It is our goal to bring God's love to them and help them understand what is most essential.”
Elsie leads the children’s ministries in HCF and is one of its teachers. The Panopios are both practicing landscape architects. They are holders of some of the first professional licenses for landscape architecture given in the Philippines.
Willy and Menzi De la Cruz
Willy De la Cruz leads the founding HCF congregation, designs much of its media, and leads the in one of the impoverished neighborhoods in Manila. Willy says, “The source of strength in the ministry is in serving others. It is the strength that comes from above as our Father imparts His joy and love to our hearts as we share the gospel of Christ (John 15:11).”
Menzi is the stalwart business manager of HCF, overseeing its finances and communications. She has served HCF in this way for more than twenty years!
Emilou (Emmy)C. Vicente
Emmy is the Managing Director of HCFI - our Foundation which serves the very poor in the city - and is bringing pastoral ministry to HCF Tondo in the inner-city of Manila. She is a native of Manila and holds a BA in Education. She is a licensed, professional teacher. In 2020, Emmy started as the Managing Director of HCFI. This was a tough year for her because of the work transition and the Covid19 Pandemic happening simultaneously. Programs were put on hold due to quarantine and lockdowns, restrictions and protocols of the government. But God has always been faithful. Emmy believes that God is preparing greater things for His ministry at HCFI. Emmy says: “Being part of the Foundation and the church for 16 years has been a rewarding experience for me from which I will be forever grateful to Him. And I know that God will be with me throughout this challenging yet exciting journey. As Philippians 1:6 states, ‘Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’”