Dan & Debbie Ecker
We are Dan and Debbie Ecker, President and Vice President of Firstlight International. As graduates of a church related Bible school in Western PA, our experience spans more than 30 years, ministering in 25 nations on 5 continents. We received our ordination into the gospel ministry in 1988. For nearly a decade now we have been focusing on the people of Southeast Asia, in particular, Thailand and the nations surrounding it. In 1999, we moved with our son, Josiah to northern Thailand, where we have been living and working for the past 15 years. We have learned the language and the culture of the people here and we have been involved in a ton of ministry.
YC Chen
I self-identify as a “third culture kid”, born in Taiwan and raised in the US since the age of 13. I am most comfortable when I get to stand in front of a room to train, equip and develop people, which, I observe, defies typical Asian-America stereotypes.
In line with my natural gifts and passion for training, I heard the call of the Lord to missions in Asia, and in 2008, was quick to respond. However, I realized fairly quickly that my path was not to be the traditional missionary route. Instead I was directed to experiment with what I call a “60/40” mix, with 60% of my time serving as the operational director of start-up educational enterprises, and 40% spent volunteering on the mission field.
I love being on the board of Firstlight because I love being able to work with pastors and church planters who find themselves needing my expertise is business development, media impact and organizational alignment. Being based in Singapore and familiar with China and Southeast Asian countries means I can help deepen Firstlight’s impact in these regions.
Jay Deems
My wife Janet and I have been married for 36 years. We have one son and three grandchildren. We grew up in Pittsburgh and were both saved as teenagers. We moved to Chicago in 1987 and to Minneapolis in 2006. Janet is a nursing instructor with a local college and I co-own a home improvement company that I purchased in 2006. I was a VP and served on the board of a private company in Pittsburgh, Thermal Industries Inc., until I left that position in 2005. I served as an elder in a local church in Chicago for 12 years and on a mission foundation board until 2 years ago. We currently serve in a local church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. We have known Dan and Deb for over 30 years and have supported their ministry for some time. Serving on Firstlight Board is an honor. I hope to be of value to them and their ministry going forward.
Ellie Geppert 
My husband Mark and I have served the Lord for 40 years in many capacities and locations in missions and teaching and continue to serve Him. We met Debbie in 1981 and Dan 4 years later. They both attended the bible school Mark established at Dayspring Christian Center and he had the joy of doing their wedding. Our fellowship has been rich and fruitful over these years. Serving on the Board of Firstlight International is my way of continuing the journey together in the Lord. My desire is to help by using the experiences of my life in missions to support theirs however needed. Dan and Debbie are following their hearts in building the Kingdom and I am blessed to serve with them.
Mac McCabe 
Hi, my name is Mac McCabe, and my wife Susie and I live in north Pittsburgh and we have 3 grown children and four grandchildren. As a Firstlight board member, I bring a heart for missions and many years of experience in a leadership role at North Way Christian Community. I'm an entrepreneur, as I initiated many programs while working at Bayer Corporation, and upon my retirement founded my own chemical company, OCN. I see an increasing role in helping to fund Firstlight as the Lord blesses OCN, and I hope to get more involved in short-term mission trips to Thailand and that region. I first met Dan and Debbie Ecker while serving on the Missions Board at NWCC. Then, in January of 2005, my wife Susie and I were part of a team to help in the tsunami relief effort. We saw the hunger in people who heard of Jesus Christ for the first time. Over the years, we have supported Firstlight in various financial ways. We know that Dan and Debbie are people of passion and integrity; whatever they put their hand to is a solid investment in the Kingdom of God.
In December of 2005, after the Tsunami in Thailand, I felt God's calling to go to Thailand to help out in any way He would lead. I have always enjoyed mission trips with our church but this was a step of faith in that I left with only a phone number of a missionary who was working in Phuket. Through a series of events, I met Dan Ecker and believe God wanted me to be part of his and Debbie's ministry. It is an honor to serve on the Firstlight board and I have no doubt God brought us together to further His kingdom in SE Asia.
Scott Gourley 
As one of the newest members of Firstlight’s board, it is exciting to walk through the door that the Lord has opened. Dan and Debbie have been personal friends with my growing family (my wife Ember and our 4 children: Clara, Mia, Isaac, and Jonas) since 1995. During this time God has taken me around the world on various mission trips. My last three trips have been to Thailand with Dan where I have worked in various capacities ranging from the hands on ministry of building projects, to learning to be part of a medical outreach, to being supportive of administrative duties. In our friendship, my hope is to be able to provide support and encouragement to my brother and sister in their lives and work for the Lord.
Chuck Lenhart 
Hello my name is Chuck Lenhart, my wife Wendy and I have been married now for 25 years, and have been ministry together from the get go. We have two boys, 21 year old Jared, and 17 year old Christopher. Jared is living in the western city of Chengdu. There he studies Chinese, and also being mentored by our Chinese ministers. Christopher is in eleventh grade, and is dream of the day he can join his older brother and the team in Chengdu, China. Our family, and ministry plant churches among unreached people groups primarily in China. I am a resent board member of Firstlight Intl., it has been my pleasure in partnering with Dan and Debby. Our families have been friends for many years. In the last five years Dan and I have been able to minister together in Myanmar, and China. It has been wonderful walking and working with him. It is my prayer and desire to see God pour out His anointing and resources upon Firstlight Intl. that they may fulfill the destiny God has given them.
Bob & Lil Roth 
Hello! We are Bob and Lill Roth and are members of Riverside Community Church in Oakmont, PA, since 1999. We have two grown daughters and one grandson. Lill is a Registered Nurse at West Penn Hospital for thirty-two years and I have worked for some large Pittsburgh corporations in design and engineering. In 1983 the Lord moved me into my own automotive business. I have been on over thirty short-term mission trips, over half to southeast Asia, and have had the blessing of working with Dan in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. In 2004, Firstlight invited me to be a board member and I have seen the Lord's hand on Dan and Deb's ministry. We are monthly financial supporters and beyond, believing strongly in all the Lord has spoken to them. It is exciting to be a part of Firstlight and watch the Kngdom move forward through their collective dedication.
