Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Chief Executive Officer and President

Born and raised in Bethlehem, Rev. Raheb has been the Pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem since 1988. An internationally-acclaimed author and speaker, Rev. Raheb is also president of Diyar, a consortium of four Lutheran institutions that he himself founded between 1995 and 2008. These institutions serve the whole Palestinian community through culture (The International Center of Bethlehem), health (Dar al-Kalima Health & Wellness Center), education (Dar al-Kalima College), and heritage (Dar al-Balad).

Additional information about Rev. Raheb can be found on www.MitriRaheb.org.

Beth Nelson Chase, Vice President

Beth Nelson Chase, of Mt. Morris, Illinois, is the Vice President of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, U.S. Operations. She began her ministry with Bright Stars on February 1, 2010.

Previously, Beth had served as vice president for Advancement at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, as vice president for Development with Lutheran Life Communities, Arlington Heights, Illinois, and as vice president for Development with Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Illinois. She and her husband, John, will continue to live in Mt. Morris, Illinois, west of Chicago, where John is a social worker.

Michelle Nelson, Administrator

Michelle Nelson comes to BSB with a background in business and finance, having worked for AMCORE Financial from 1985-2009. Michelle will primarily be responsible for database administration for BSB.

Michelle is married to Rick Nelson, who owns and farms with Nelson Family Farms, producing crops and livestock in northern Illinois. They have three sons: Josh, at Purdue University, Derrick, a graduating senior at Oregon High School, and Trevor, in 8th grade. The Nelsons are active members of St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, IL.

John Walz, Treasurer

John Walz has been a self-employed management accountant for more than forty years. He has served only not-for-profit organizations, with concentrations in social service/human care and faith-based ministries with responsibilities for accounting, accounting systems, budgeting and reporting, cash and investment management, and audit preparation, support and review.

John has served on Boards of Directors and in various roles in his congregation. He is married, with three adult children and eight grandchildren.