Meet the Founders
BJ grew up in Brazil and met Carissa, a Jewish believer, at a Bible school in Wisconsin. Impacted by their experiences as missionary kids, they both passionately desired to reach unreached people groups with the gospel. In 2012, God burdened their hearts for Jewish people, who are actually one of the largest unreached people groups in the world! The Kerstetters have three daughters: Ari (7), Aviya (3), and Ashira (1).
BJ and Carissa began Jewish ministry in 2014. Equipped with a degree in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute, a zeal for evangelism, and the gift of hospitality, they now reach Israeli travelers with the gospel by loving and serving them through hospitality.
In 2023, they helped develop and launch Host Israelis, a global hospitality network, and they are now building Chesed Canyon, a campground near the Grand Canyon to love and serve Israelis in the name of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.