Meet Our Founding Staff
Israel Operations
Janet Saunders
Janet was also among the first arriving in 1972. Of the group at large, Janet was one of two who devoted most of their time to the Israel operation.
She stayed in Jerusalem as a base when others were needed for traveling for the ministry.
Janet eventually retired and is currently living in Virginia.
Office Manager
Alice Ford
Alice was among the first arriving in 1972. Alice was very instrumental in expanding the ministry. When an additional facility was acquired in Hong Kong, Alice was placed as the overseer of this portion of the ministry. As Susan was more in mainland China, Alice was more in the Hong Kong area. Alice eventually left Hong Kong to assist with the health care of her parents in Virginia. She acquired a Masters’ degree and continued teaching High School there in Virginia. She is retired today.
Ministry Outreach
Irene Bredlow
Irene was the Canadian flavor to this early beginning. Diaspora Jews returning has always been a plank in this ministry platform. Irene is a registered nurse in Canada and also Israel. She was instrumental in expanding the ministry outreach to include training aspiring ladies to become volunteers first and then enter work force. These volunteers worked in Ein Kerim and the Mount Scopus facility. She then moved to Beer Sheva, where she worked in Soroka Hospital Geriatic ward for three years. In 1976 she and a couple others left for Ethiopia. These two others returned early but she remained there for three more months, traveling to the different areas where the Ethiopian Jews lived. She encouraged them that they should make Aliya to Israel. She assured them that by the help of The Lord, this would be a reality. This very prophecy occurred some ten years later. Irene acquired her A-3 visa in late seventies, and is still serving the Lord in Israel, as she oversees the current Mount Zion Fellowship here in Israel.
Assembly Pastor
Susan Woodaman
Susan was also among the first arriving in 1972. Like Ruth, Susan was also instrumental in promoting this work all over the world as time and finances permitted. Susan spent some time in China and while there attracted multiple Chinese tours to Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. As mentioned, it was Susan who garnered the funds for the expansion project of the Head Quarters facility. She returned to Jerusalem to assume the pastorate at the local assembly following the death of Ruth. She was officially selected to this position on 10 July, 2003. Susan Passed away in 2013 in the United States.
Israel Operations
Janet Saunders
Janet was also among the first arriving in 1972. Of the group at large, Janet was one of two who devoted most of their time to the Israel operation.
She stayed in Jerusalem as a base when others were needed for traveling for the ministry.
Janet eventually retired and is currently living in Virginia.
Office Manager
Alice Ford
Alice was among the first arriving in 1972. Alice was very instrumental in expanding the ministry. When an additional facility was acquired in Hong Kong, Alice was placed as the overseer of this portion of the ministry. As Susan was more in mainland China, Alice was more in the Hong Kong area. Alice eventually left Hong Kong to assist with the health care of her parents in Virginia. She acquired a Masters’ degree and continued teaching High School there in Virginia. She is retired today.
Founder
Ruth Heflin
Ruth was among the first arriving in Jerusalem. Her father and mother as a family visited the Holy Land as Pilgrims in the sixties. Ruth traveled far and wide promoting the goals and aims of the Mount Zion Fellowship. She became known as an international speaker and fundraiser, encouraging many to visit Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. When Ruth’s father passed away, her brother assumed the pastorate in Virginia. In 1997 her brother also passed away leaving a vacancy, and she returned to fill this vacancy. However, in the year of 2000, Ruth also succumbed to cancer and passed away in the United States.