Changing of the Guard at ICEJ National Offices
By: Mojmir Kallus, ICEJ Vice President for International Affairs
Significant leadership changes in several of our important national offices have been completed in recent months. These transitions to new branch leaders came after much prayer and careful planning, and with unanimous support and joy.
In Austria, Karl Klanner handed over his role as national director to Steven Bennett. Karl officially launched the Austrian branch only in 2004, but it quickly became one of our best performing offices. A school teacher by profession, Karl was greatly aided by his wife Irene, who handled the finances. They selflessly managed the whole operation on a volunteer basis from their home, without an office or any paid staff. When the low numbers of Evangelical Christians in Austria are taken into account, their contributions per capita were probably the highest of any national office worldwide.
Steven Bennet, born in Britain, met his Austrian wife Daniela in 2006 in Tel Aviv, where they discovered their common love for the Jewish people and mutual desire to serve them. Last year, they agreed to become national directors for ICEJ-Austria. “There are many areas in which we can show comfort, love and support to the Jewish people”, said Steven.
Switzerland is one of the oldest and strongest national offices in our global network, and national director Hansjorg Bischoff, along with his wife Astrid, are members of the ICEJ’s founding generation. They have served faithfully at the helm of the Swiss branch for almost four decades and earned great respect for our ministry among church leaders, the Jewish community and Israeli diplomats in their country. In 1985, they spearheaded the first Christian Zionist Congress in Basel, in the same famous Casino building where the first Zionist Congress under Theodor Herzl was held in 1897. Today, Switzerland is one of our strongest branches with contributions exceeding one million US dollars annually.
Hansjorg has now helped put together a new leadership team under National Director, René Emmenegger, his deputy, Dominique-Pierre Walter, and secretary Daniel Hess. René is a successful business consultant, with extensive experience in streamlining organisations and managing complex projects. With his wife Olga, they have four children. His first encounter with the ICEJ was while serving as a volunteer at the Feast of Tabernacles, which shows his humble servant attitude as he builds on the solid foundations his predecessor has laid.
Last, a leadership change also has come in our Australia office. This branch has a long history, but its operations had to be completely restarted five years ago. Dan Steege, a dynamic young business consultant, surrounded himself with a capable and dedicated team who managed to build the branch up again. The process included overcoming complicated bureaucratic hurdles, waging some legal battles and creating sophisticated IT systems for the 21st century.
Dan has now decided to move on in his career and nominated as his successor Sarah Way, who served as Board secretary for the past three years and played a key role in establishing proper governance in the branch. She brings to the role her 15 years of experience in church leadership and an extensive background in human resources. Sarah lives with her husband and two children in Melbourne. She has a deep love for Israel, is a passionate intercessor, and a prophetically gifted leader par excellence.
From our Jerusalem headquarters, we extend our heartfelt thanks to those leaders who are stepping aside after years of faithful service in blessing and inspiring us all. Well done! And to the new teams, we wish all success and guidance from the Holy Spirit as we serve together in this great mission to comfort Israel and the Jewish people.