Learn about our staff and associate evangelists. Read their bios, explore ministry opportunities, or give a gift to support their ministries.
Full Time Staff
Donald A. Bierle, M.A., Ph.D.
Dr. Bierle holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences and an M.A. in New Testament Studies. An academic dean and college professor for nearly twenty-five years, he is skilled at communicating complex subjects in a clear, original, and fascinating way. He is the author of Surprised by Faith, and developed the FaithSearch Discovery presentation, which is used worldwide to proclaim the Gospel with evidence. Dr. Bierle is also overseeing the new regional directors initiative to expand the effect and multiplication of the FaithSearch mission.
Ministry Opportunities
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Oleg Voskresensky, B.A., M.Div., Ph.D.
A native of Russia, Oleg is breaking new ground for the ministry of FaithSearch: into eastern Europe and with Russian-speaking people in the USA. He has translated the book Surprised by Faith and the FaithSearch Discovery presentation into Russian. He is continuing to develop culturally relevant ministry resources for the FaithSearch Russian ministry. Oleg is also developing and leading our training efforts for the world’s 300 million Russian-speaking people.
Ministry Opportunities
Инфомация о миссии “В поисках веры” на русском языке (435 KB PDF).
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Read Oleg’s latest News
Associate Staff
Pastor Yuri Shibaev
Yuri Shibaev grew up in a family of unbelieving parents in Bryansk, Russia. He had heard about God from his grandmother when he was seven years old, but it wasn’t until he began studying the Bible that he made a profession of faith in 1991, at the age of twenty-four.
He has assisted FaithSearch Russian evangelist Oleg Voskresensky many times on his trips to Russia, and is now a part-time associate evangelist with FaithSearch, serving in Bryansk.
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Regional Directors
Adrian Van Vactor – Southwest and International Regions
Adrian is an Illusionist who combines his unique skills as an entertainer with his extensive speaking and missions training and experience. As a skilled thinker and audience-retaining communicator, Adrian has a passion for people in the most un-reached places of the world, as well as a commitment to pursing the goal that every single person here at home has the chance to hear the evidence and good reasons for faith in Jesus Christ.
In November 2015, Adrian took on the role of Associate Director for our southwest regional ministry. As a regional director, Adrian seeks to develop a team of people who share the goal of reaching churches, schools, and communities in the US Southwest with the Good News of the forgiveness of sins and assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Ministry Opportunities
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Ministry Partners
Tim Maki – Northland
Tim Maki has been involved in evangelism and church multiplication for most of his ministry. He is pastor of North Star Church in Hibbing, Minnesota, a church he began seven years ago.
He has known Dr. Don since September of 1983, while he attended St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College). In Dr. Bierle’s “Introduction to Christian Ministries” course, he was exposed to much of the teaching which is now FaithSearch Discovery. Over the years he has been trained to teach the FaithSearch Discovery presentation, and has used it in ministry as a church planter and pastor. He said, “With the growing percent of the millennial generation rejecting God, faith, and the established church, there has, in my estimation, never been a more prime time to use the Gospel with evidence as a main tool in both presenting the Good News and equipping the church to be able to give a reason for the hope they have!”
As part of his process of transition out of the pastorate and back into a role as an evangelist and church plant catalyst, Tim has formed a new ministry called North Star Ministries.
Concurrent with this, Tim has taken on the role of FaithSearch Ministry Partner. As a ministry partner, Tim will continue to use FaithSearch resources as part of his “ministry toolbox,” proclaiming the Gospel with evidence in northern Minnesota.
