Our Team

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Middle East Media is governed and held accountable by an International Board. Our International Board is made up of representatives of our local boards, individuals from the Middle East and representatives from major partners. 

Meet Our International Team

Our International Team helps to lead several key areas of the organisation. They work across our field teams and our offices in the Europe and the US. 

Wayne Larson

International Director
Wayne began his career in TV and radio, before feeling called to help start our North Africa-based production ministry over 30 years ago. During this time, he helped launch one of the Middle East’s first Christian satellite television stations, SAT-7. Wayne then led the North Africa team until 2004, when he became MEM’s New Venture Director. In 2007, after being challenged by a colleague who saw the need for a media ministry focused on teenagers in the Gulf, Wayne co-founded and began co-leading our Gulf team. In 2017, Wayne became MEM’s International Director. Wayne and his wife, Jeannie, are sent out by the Mennonite Network to serve with MEM.

WR

International Operations & Field Communications Manager

Mike

Media Teams Director

Helen Deane

Chief FInancial Officer
See the UK team section for Helen’s bio.

Meet Our UK & European Team

Jolita Paton

European Director
Jolita was appointed as our European Director in February 2019, having previously been with MEM since 2013 in the capacity of Board Chair and then Operations Director. Prior to this, she loved working in a large church with responsibilities in mission, prayer and events. She has also served within a prison chaplaincy, explored a calling for ordination, and dreamed of being a missionary in Africa. Having also worked within the arts and culture sector, both in the UK and internationally (including the Middle East), Jolita has great experience in management, strategy, fundraising and research, which greatly helps in her current role. She works from Peterborough, but is very happy to travel and meet you for a coffee – please drop her a line.

Hannah-Rivkah Perkin

Fundraising Manager
Hannah-Rivkah joined the staff team in 2023 after being our trustee for nearly eight years. She has a background in programme management in the refugee sector and a master’s in gender and development. She also speaks Arabic and has lived and worked in the Middle East. Based in London, you can get in touch with her.

James Baldock

Senior Communications Manager
James joined the team in 2018 and is based in Worcester. He has worked as a communications specialist for several international Christian organisations and is passionate about the mission of the Church. He has a master’s Degree in Theology, with his dissertation focused on why effective communication is vital for Christian communicators. He is responsible for our communication and is excited to report back to you on the transformative work of MEM.

Helen Deane

Finance & Operations Manager
Helen joined the team in 2023 and is based in the south coast of England. She has worked in a variety of roles in many different sectors, mainly in administration, finance and operations. She works part time for MEM and part time for a Christian camp for young people aged 10 – 18. Helen is a great believer in the power of cake, and the gospel opportunities sharing cake and coffee can bring! Outside of work, Helen loves to read, walk her dog, and make lovely food to share with people. Reach her through the button below.

Anna Macaulay

Events Manager
Anna Macaulay joined MEM in 2024 and based in the north of England. She has a background in Event Management, Fundraising and Design and has a wealth of experience in the sector, having worked with a number of charitable organisations to ensure they achieve their fundraising goals. Anna is passionate about seeing the next generation thrive and loves to serve in her local church through supporting the young people, offering creativity as a way of overcoming struggles and growing in faith. She also loves to explore the nearby Peak District, hiking and fell running. Reach Anna through the button below.

Jess Davidson-Egan

Development Manager
Jess has been with us since October 2018. Currently based in Nottingham, Jess grew up in the Middle East and went on to study Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS, London. She is hugely passionate about the Middle East and MEM’s work in the region. Jess is responsible for growing MEM’s reach here in the UK through supporters, events, churches and trusts. If you’re interested in supporting MEM please do get in touch with Jess as she would love to chat, or even buy you a piece of baklava! You can contact her below.

Matt Hinch

Digital & Creative Specialist
Matt joined the MEM team in April 2023. Based in Warwickshire, he studied Graphic Design at Coventry University and has since built up over 8 years of experience working across a range of design briefs – from social media campaigns, to event flyers and programmes. He’s passionate about sharing the word of God and seeing its incredible transformational power come to life. If he’s not in front of his computer creating up our next design, he’s probably outside with his camera, capturing the beautiful world God has blessed us with. He’s excited to be part of the MEM UK/EU team and helping to spread greater awareness of our local teams’ incredible work. Reach Matt through the button below.

European Board of Trustees

Our UK & European team exists solely to support the work of the North Africa and Gulf teams, through fundraising and raising awareness.

Chris Large (Chair)
David Hodgson
Fiona Holmer
Jennifer Hooker (Secretary)
Jonathan Morris (Honorary Treasurer)
Rosemary Summerfield

Meet Our US Team

We have a board in the United States (US) who oversee all of our fundraising and development work across the country. Our International Office Team are also involved in the running of our US operations. If you would like to contact a representative of our US office, please contact us.

Marlin Davis (Chair)
Leslie Bates
Mark Marlowe (Treasurer)
Maher Nashed
David Sellers
Terry Zimmer (Secretary)

Our Team in North Africa

Our team in North Africa has over 50 staff members. They specialise in 2D and 3D animation, live-action production, training and development workshops, equipping other media teams and producing online content. To keep them safe we are unable to list the team here. If you would like to know more about our North Africa team, please contact us directly.

Our Team in the Gulf

Our team in the Gulf was established in 2007 and now specialises in social media ministry, reaching out to women across the Gulf. To keep them safe we are unable to list the team here. If you would like to know more about the Gulf team, please contact us directly.

Board of Reference

Revd Colin Chapman, UK
Mrs Robyn Claydon, Australia
Baroness Caroline Cox, UK
Dr Edward R Dayton, USA
Rt Revd Derek L Eaton, New Zealand
Dr Walter Liefeld, USA
Rt Revd Dr Bill Musk, UK
Dr Hugh & Mrs Marion Osgood, UK
Dr Dudley Woodberry, USA