  s a first-generation American from a German family, Hans Finzel is no stranger to international dynamics. The son of a rocket scientist, the Finzels moved from Germany to Alabama. His father was one of 118 German scientists brought to America at the end of World War II with Dr. Werner Von Braun to “launch” the U.S. space program.
Hans met his wife, Donna, at Columbia International University in South Carolina. After pastoring a church in California for two years, Hans and Donna joined WorldVenture in 1980 and moved to Vienna, Austria. During this decade of ministry in Eastern Europe, Hans served as field chairman for the WorldVenture Vienna field and as administrative director, personnel director, teaching facilitator, and writer for BEE International.
In 1991 he joined the home office staff of WorldVenture, and two years later he became the organization's fifth president. Under his leadership the mission has experienced great expansion of ministry from 29 to over 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Pacific Rim, the Middle East, Africa and South America. The ministry focuses primarily on the tasks of evangelism, establishing local churches, and equipping national leadership. In his role as President, Hans directs and manages over 1,000 transformational ministries and missionaries.
"We do a lot of things at WorldVenture,” said Hans. “But the end result is the growth of healthy, reproducing New Testament churches—churches that will make a difference in the world in which they are planted."
Hans holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia International University, a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. in leadership from Fuller School of Intercultural Studies. He is host of the popular radio show, “Missions on the Frontline,” and is a widely sought-after speaker as an expert in leadership development, change management and international studies. Hans was a recipient of the Alumnus of the Year award from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Hans also teaches as adjunct faculty at Trinity Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois; Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky; Columbia International University in South Carolina; Fuller School of Intercultural Studies in Pasadena, California; and at Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado.
Hans has published six books: Empowered Leaders (part of the Swindoll Leadership Library), The Top Ten Ways to Love Your Wife (coauthored with Donna), Help! I'm a Baby Boomer, Unlocking the Scriptures, Change is Like a Slinky, and his popular The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make.
WorldVenture is a worldwide Christian organization serving over 1,000 transformational ministries and missionaries that produce significant, positive changes in the lives of children, churches and communities. WorldVenture builds partnerships around the world with people who serve Christ through ministries of evangelism, church development, leadership training, compassion and local mission movements. For more information visit WorldVenture.com |
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