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Meet the FIRM Team


Michael & Vanessa Mistretta

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.

Vanessa Mistretta is the Executive Director of Relationships with FIRM. She was raised as a Jewish Believer in Tampa, Florida and grew in her faith in the Messianic Jewish Community.  Later she received her Bachelor’s degree in Ministry and Communications and Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Southeastern University. She has a heart for connecting people and unifying believers worldwide by working with influential organizations around the world. 

Michael and Vanessa’s passion for Israel takes them around the world as they strive to build unique connections between the Church and the body of believers in Israel and share about how God is moving in Israel today. Michael and Vanessa both made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) and live in the heart of Jerusalem with their two sons.


Wayne & Ann Hilsden

Dr. Wayne Hilsden is President of FIRM. He and his wife Ann co-founded King of Kings Community Jerusalem in 1983. 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.


The Greater FIRM Team


The majority of our team’s identities and roles need to remain private, but we have about 25 staff members. Many are located in Israel, at our Jerusalem offices, and the rest span the world—from East to West! From programming to partnerships to prayer, they do it all while sharing a love for Israel and commitment to the Great Commission.


The Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM) is on a mission to empower local ministries to transform lives in Israel through the love of Jesus. There are many unreached places out there, so why is Israel the mission on FIRM’s heart? What does God say about Israel? What is your part in the story of God’s promises and people?

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