Meet the Executive Team
JON BURNS | PRESIDENT
Jon was appointed to the role of President of Greater Europe Mission in January 2015. He had previously served as the Interim Director of Communications in addition to speaking at GEM’s 2014 and 2015 Annual Conferences.
Jon’s background is as a pastor and church-planter. He was a senior pastor of a church in England for 10 years, Director of Evangelism for Youth for Christ for six, also in England. He was also heavily involved in More Than Gold for 3 years, working with several hundred churches and organizations, raising several million dollars for the effort.
He is the founder of the ‘Lionsraw’ movement (lionsraw.org). Jon was recognized for his work with Lionsraw in 2014 as a CNN Hero of the year, and in 2015, he was honored by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the prestigious BEM award (British Empire Medal) for his work around the world with children and communities.
Jon and his wife of 25 years, Sandra, have two daughters, Rosie and Emmie. Jon and Sandra, who are originally from Northern England, have spent many years in London.
Jon is a huge football (soccer) fan, as well as an international preacher and a global mission enabler. He loves to travel, watch sports and spend time with his family and friends.
JOHN GILBERTS | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
I grew up in Loretta, Wisconsin, and received Christ at age 16. From my first moments as a new believer (I say this humbly), God has both used my story and abilities and given me a passion to bring others into the Kingdom. I feel I was marked for service early on, and we have walked that path as best we could since.
I earned a B.A. in theology and music from Moody Bible Institute in 1991. While at Moody, I met my wife, Molly, and we married in 1992. In 2006 I also earned a Masters in Business with a Communications emphasis at the University of Phoenix.
I began working for Greater Europe Mission in 1994—in the mail room. Soon I transitioned to IT, and have served in many other areas of the Mission since. One highlight of my service with GEM was the two years Molly and I lived and served from Kandern, Germany. My current roles are Executive Director for Canada, Chief of Staff, Director of Global Partnerships, overseeing GEM’s North American operations. I am also currently serving in the roles of Interim Director GEM Canada and US Director.
Molly is from Rootstown, Ohio, and also earned a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute. Molly went on EuroCorps with GEM in 1989 and worked at HQ from 1991-2001. She has served with The Navigators since 2003 training staff in the U.S., Europe, and Africa in ministry partner development.
We live in Colorado Springs. I enjoy playing the guitar, photography and am working on my fly-fishing skills.
CHRIS TWEEDY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Susan and I joined GEM in 2001 and left for Germany in November 2002 after my wife had worked for a few years as an elementary school teacher and I had worked in financial services. After working for Arthur Anderson and Pricewaterhouse Coopers for five years and obtaining my CPA, I came to Europe to assist GEM in a financial capacity while Susan taught at the Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany. I currently serve on both the US and International Executive Teams in my responsibilities as CFO. Susan and I have three daughters and have been living in the Black Forest region of Germany. I enjoy connecting with my local German community through involvement in Jiu-Jitsu.
THAD McAULEY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
My wife, Joy, and I were appointed to GEM in the spring of 2003 and arrived in France for our first term in late 2004. Prior to joining GEM, we lived in the Chicago area where I worked in marketing, media, and IT. We have four kids—Addison, Zachary, Wesley, and Lucas—and reside just outside of Paris.
Locally, we are invested in a French language church, having done singles and young marrieds ministry, women’s and men’s ministries, youth ministry, and general administrative help. On the GEM side, I served as field co-leader for France from 2007-2015 and as a member of the GEM Leadership Team (GLT) from 2011-2015.
At present I serve as GEM’s COO, lead our Europe Leadership Team, and am a member of the International Executive Team. I’m a mediocre water skier, photographer, sporting clays shooter, mountain biker, swimmer and hiker, but have a great time whenever I get to do any of them.