Church Relations Coordinator
John Vedder
John was born and raised in Auburn, AL, and grew up attending First United Methodist Church of Opelika. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Human Development and Family Studies.
As a college student, John was involved in youth ministries, and as a junior, started the first college ministry at his church, where he was later hired as the college director, serving there for one year. He also served as the worship leader for the contemporary service for a year. John was introduced to the ICEJ at First Methodist and began getting involved as his love for Israel and the Jewish people grew. In July 2018 John and his family moved from Alabama to Williamsburg, VA, where he helped plant Foundations Church Williamsburg. There, he wore many hats—including serving as the associate pastor and worship leader—and began the youth ministry at the church.
Through the years, John has led many trips to countries throughout the world, including Ecuador, Honduras, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In Malaysia he spoke to believers and non-believers in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. He also traveled around the mountains outside the city, speaking to and leading worship to house churches. In the Philippines, John worked with KIM (Kids International Ministries), where he helped build a school and worked with impoverished children and families.
John currently works as the ICEJ USA church relations coordinator, often traveling to Israel to lead church and pastors’ tours. He has taken over 500 people through the Land. He also travels and speaks in churches across the United States. John has a conviction that the Bible is the inerrant and inspired Word of God and believes in the local church as one of God’s vehicles for spreading the gospel around the world. He is currently working on his master’s from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Natalie, have three children.