Our Accountability and Oversight Team
In accordance with our leadership handbook, four spiritual advisors unaffiliated with DOVE International have been appointed by unanimous decision of the DOVE International Apostolic Council and by the general affirmation of the Regional Apostolic Councils. These spiritual advisors provide advice, counsel, and accountability for the international director and for the other members on the DOVE International Apostolic Council.
We are so grateful to the Lord for the wise and faithful spiritual advisors the Lord has placed in our lives for accountability and for spiritual oversight. We meet together with them individually as needed at various times throughout the year, and we meet with them as a team each September for a day of discernment and prayer together.
In cases of moral failure, irreconcilable disputes, disorderly conduct, apostasy, or other faults on the part of any member of the DOVE International Apostolic Council, two or more of the recognized spiritual advisors will work closely as a team with the DOVE International Apostolic Council to bring mediation and/or possible suspension or removal of the member at fault. In cases of unresolved conflict between the international director and the DOVE International Apostolic Council, a team of two or more recognized spiritual advisors will serve as outside mediators and facilitate the resolution of disputes.
Following is an introduction of our four spiritual advisors: Keith Yoder, Barry Wissler, and both Tony and Marilyn Fitzgerald, who are a married couple.
Tony and Marilyn Fitzgerald
Tony and Marilyn are founders and apostolic team leaders of Church of the Nations. COTN is an international family of apostolic clusters of churches and Kingdom ministries related through love and commitment to see the Kingdom of God established on earth. Brought up in Christian homes, in Tasmania, Australia, Tony and Marilyn’s lives took an unexpected turn. At 18, Tony was diagnosed with cancer. After months of hospitalization and recovery for Tony, the couple committed their lives completely to God’s purposes. They were married in 1970 and entered into ministry training. In 1975, they moved to England and began a journey that has taken them to the four corners of the earth. In 1978 the Lord gave Tony the vision of resource bases serving networks of churches and in 1979, the seed of what was to become COTN was planted. Today COTN has established Kingdom influence in more than fifty countries. Tony and Marilyn see the Church as a safe house, a covenant family of believers who are fathered, discipled, and mentored to fulfill their Kingdom destiny. “Church” only finds its true meaning in the context of the “gospel of the Kingdom.”
Barry Wissler
Barry Wissler is the founding pastor of Ephrata Community Church and the founder and president of HarvestNet International. Under his leadership, HarvestNet established Gateway House of Prayer and the Kingdom Ministry School. Barry’s passion is to produce churches that are faithful to sound doctrine while also being receptive to the work of the Holy Spirit. He holds theological degrees from Geneva College and Westminster Theological Seminary.
Podcast Episodes
Keith Yoder
Keith Yoder, Ed.D., educational leadership, has served as professional educator, congregational leader, and ministry leader. He is the founder of Teaching the Word Ministries. His personal mission is to help others identify their unique identity in Christ and empower them to fulfill their role in God’s Kingdom. He enjoys sharing God’s wisdom through mentoring, teaching, writing, and counseling leaders throughout the United States and in areas such as Africa, the Americas, India, and Myanmar. Keith ministers as an adviser to congregations, ministries, and networks. Having served for fifteen years as leader of Regional Church of Lancaster County (Pennsylvania), he continues to consult with other leaders in cooperative partnerships to promote transformation in their regions. With a half century of marriage, Keith and Marian serve others from the overflow of their partnership.
Podcast Episodes