Mike had the great privilege of being born into a Christian home in Louisville, Kentucky with parents who modeled a consistent Godly lifestyle. Though he at times challenged the faith of his parents, God graciously brought him to a saving knowledge of himself as a young man. In college, Mike was deeply impacted by a college ministry called the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and felt a call towards ministry. Following college, God graciously directed Mike to a strong local church in Denton Texas where he initially studied under the Pastor for a year before joining the church. Mike’s plans were always smaller than God’s and he desired to return to his home area to pastor a local church. God chose to keep him in Texas, allowing him to attend the University of North Texas, earning an MBA in 1994; and Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters of Theology in 2003. In Texas he also met and married the love of his life, Kerry and they now have three teenaged boys. Mike left the business world and joined Denton Bible’s staff in 1999 and has served there working in Missions since that time. Mike is a testimony of God’s gracious care for His children as God has guided Mike through his life, giving him much more than he ever could have expected or imagined. Mike currently serves as the missions pastor at Denton Bible where he loves to speak of God’s goodness and especially feels blessed to serve alongside and teach other men involved in ministry around the world.

Sam is part of the international missions group with Denton Bible Church.

Cornel is Ukrainian born. He's a Russian and Ukrainian language teacher in the Northern part of Romania. He's married to Ana, is the father of 4 children, and is involved in their church life. He's part of the national leading team of the Brethren Church in Romania and is VP of the Brethren Union Movement in Romania.

Wally (not his real name) is a Baptist pastor inside of the Ukraine.

Jeff Laughlin works with the International Military Ministry of Cru. He and his wife Carol moved their family of 5 kids to the former communist country of Belarus in 1992 and started a Bible college to train young pastors and plant churches. They left in 2007, when the government kicked out the American embassy and most missionaries. After a year and half in Lithuania, they moved to Ukraine and lived in Bucha.

When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, they began to help believers who were bringing supplies to Ukraine soldiers at the front. These men not only provided needed supplies, but risked their own lives sharing the gospel. Thus evangelical chaplaincy was born in Ukraine. The Laughlins printed books about PTSD and held conferences with American chaplains for Ukrainian military, chaplains, and psychologists. One of these books, When War Comes Home, is for the wives of military service members. Jeff has sent many church planters, but praying over a chaplain as he goes off to war—possibly never to return—has redefined his definition of serving Christ. These men are patriots who love their country and bring Christ to where He is needed most.

Kathy Branzell serves as the President of the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force. She has served as a longtime member of the Board of Directors, having led and served alongside Vonette Bright, Shirley Dobson, Anne Graham-Lotz, and Dr. Ronnie Floyd.

Along with her work on behalf of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, she was the founder and president of Fellowship and Christian Encouragement (FACE) for Educators where she authored seventeen years of weekly scripture reading, prayer prompts and devotionals for educators to use in their weekly prayer meetings throughout the school year. She is the author/co-author of five books. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Education and Human Development from the University of Georgia, and her master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. She has served as a Rapid Response Chaplain for the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, the National Coordinator of LOVE2020 and the National Facilitator for the Mission America Coalition (Now The Table Coalition).

Having raised two children with her husband Russ, Kathy lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She plans for the prayer ministry to continue as a remote team, as several NDP staff are based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her fifth book, a devotional entitled An Invitation to Prayer (BroadStreet), released in 2019.