Dr. Andrew Counterman
Senior Director
Pastor Counterman received Christ on October 6, 1973, in the parsonage of Calvary Baptist Church of Stroudsburg (West). As a new convert, he was catapulted into two weeks of revival meetings that resulted in the fruits of baptism and church membership. With very good mentors by his side, it became natural to share Christ with others. This passion grew to the place of going off to school to learn more of the Word. While under the teaching and direction of Pastor Ron Rice, the call to ministry became clear and later validated by his home church.
In 1981, he started Freedom Baptist Church with his family in Durhamville, NY. In the summer of 1994, he took on the pastorate of Anchor Baptist Church in Millersville, MD, and served there for almost 25 years.
Along with presiding over BEME Latin America, he serves as Associate Pastor with his youngest son at Calvary Baptist Church of Burlington, IA. He has over 40 years of pastoral ministry experience, having served as a church planter, senior pastor, conference speaker, and adjunct professor. Pastor Andy also sits on the board of Maranatha Baptist University.
Jo Ellen Counterman
Office Manager,
Iowa Home Office
Jo Ellen is a talented conference speaker and experienced teacher who loves to serve the Lord in the local church. She provides invaluable administrative and clerical support to the BEME-LA home office in Iowa.
Jo Ellen has been married to Pastor Andy for over 48 years. They have three married sons, all of whom are in full-time pastoral ministry, and are the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren.
Christie Esparza
Administrative Assistant,
Remote
Christie’s interest in Latin American missions began in 2006 when she was invited to go as a chaperone on a missions trip to Peru with the Anchor Baptist Church youth group. This experience shifted her perspective, deepened her compassion for global missions, and contributed to a lifelong desire to keep Latin American people close to her heart.
Over the years, she occasionally translated national missionary reports until she officially joined BEME-LA as Editor/Administrative Assistant in 2019. She currently lives in the Chicago area with her husband and three children.
Jessica Counterman
Accountant,
Remote
Board of Directors
John Bott
The Wilds of North Carolina
Pastor Wayne Burggraff
Faith Baptist Church
Lebanon, PA
Pastor Simeon Counterman
Calvary Baptist Church
Burlington, IA
Pastor Randy King
Wyldewood Baptist Church
Oshkosh, WI
Pastor Bill Schneider
Fellowship Baptist Church
Upper Marlboro, MD
Dr. Bob Vallier
Church Business Ministries
Greer, SC
Pastor Kevin Zander
Tabernacle Baptist Church
Wilson, NC