Meet Our Board Members
Rev. John Battern
Rev. John Battern
Rev. John Battern
John is one of the co-founders of Live For Him Ministries. He is a retired Global Methodist Church pastor will 30+ years of pastoral experience. Besides being the president of Live For Him, he also is on the board of directors for Safe Water International Ministries.
Julie B. Battern
Rev. John Battern
Rev. John Battern
Julie, the other co-founder, is a retired Special Education teacher with more than 35 years of experience working with every grade level from K-12. She has had a lifelong desire to be in missions, having first thought about traveling to Africa as a teenager. Julie quickly makes a connection with kids wherever she is.
Barb Grabill
Rev. John Battern
Bill Ebersole
Barb brings a creative spirit to the board, having been a professional photographer for many years. She left that career in order to follow God's calling. She served as a pastor in a local church, then moved on to be a hospital chaplain, before retiring and starting her own business.
Bill Ebersole
Bill Ebersole
Bill brings a deep passion for missions to the board. He serves as the Missions Team Leader for Good News Community Church in Okoboji, Iowa where there has been a new emphasis on missions under his leadership. He recently retired after a long career with the Mars Company.
Eric Thompson
Eric is a middle school counselor who has a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the next generation. He was very involved with mission projects as a young adult and is excited to be a part of the Live For Him Ministries team.
Josh Battern
Josh is a middle school teacher at Marion, Iowa. He brings an extra spark of energy to the Board, as well as a lot of experience living and working in other cultures.