East-West Ministries (East-West), a Plano-based nonprofit serving internationally in nearly 50 countries to share the message of Jesus with those who don’t know Him and see the Church established in places where it doesn’t currently exist, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner and worship program on Saturday, March 24 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Chantilly Ballroom. The near-sold-out crowd of 1,300 heard from the No. 1 New York Time’s best-selling author Eric Metaxes about his recently-released book, “Martin Luther” and sang alongside Phil Wickham, a singer and songwriter who has released nine full-length albums featuring hit songs "Beautiful" and "This is Amazing Grace." East-West raised $1.3 million through ticket sales, table and corporate sponsorships, and additional gifts that will support East-West as it continues to work with unreached and restricted-access areas of the world.

“Since the founding of East-West in 1993, we have witnessed the amazing works of God as He has used our missionaries, national partners, prayer warriors, financial partners and advocates to transform lives and spread His glory in the spiritually darkest areas of the world," said Kurt Nelson, East-West's CEO. "It is our honor to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness to East-West."

The event was co-chaired by Kaye Dawn Lunsford and Cindy Brinker Simmons. East-West speakers throughout the night included Simmons, Nelson, Founder and Chairman Emeritus John Maisel, President Mario Zandstra, Executive Vice President of Field Ministries Dave Gibson and Senior Vice President of Development Kristen Shuler. Three missionaries also shared stories from their service in Cuba, Israel and Southeast Asia. The sponsors included:

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

• Bandera Ventures

CORPORATE SPONSORS:

• Nature Nate's
• Caple Royalty Services
• Builders Carpet and Design Center
• Foster Financial Group
• Gittings Photography
• AM Digital Agency
• The Lion's Den
• Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

KINGDOM PARTNERS:

• Kate and Danny Graham
• The Luttrell Family
• Denise and Ray Nixon
• Ann and Jeff Swope

COMMISSION PARTNERS:

• Kamela and Kenneth Aboussie
• Melissa and Mike Allen
• Keely and Bill Cawley
• Joni and Mark Hinton
• Beth and Tad May
• Paticum Foundation
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, a real estate investment company
• Cindy Brinker Simmons
• Cathy and Mike Ullman

VISION PARTNERS:

• 7th Generation Foundation
• Madeline and Fred Hamm
• J.L. Jackson
• Catherine and Dick LeBlanc
• Wendy and Butch McCaslin
• Ashley and G. Stacy Smith
• Carolyn and Bud Toole
• Brittany and Baxter Underwood

MISSION PARTNERS:

• Nancy and Robbie Briggs & Anne Logan
• Genny and Mike Doramus
• Mexia Investments LLC
• Pat and Kurt Nelson
• Michelle and Kevin Smith
• Eve and Blake Wiley

MOVEMENT PARTNERS:

• April and Mark Anthony
• Darla and Jerry Baird, Group Travel
• Mr. & Mrs. Firman Cook
• Dallas Baptist University
• Ashley and Joe Januszewski
• Laura and Cliff Musgrave
• Joni and Larry Tommerup
• Jordan and Brandon Williams

GOSPEL PARTNERS:

• Dr. Roland Black
• The Blesi Family
• Lisabeth and Hil Bowman
• Gail and Greg Boyd
• Rebecca Bradley, Caddy4Life
• Greg Spitler
• Laurie and Kyle Brown
• Heather and Jimmy Bryan
• Wes Camp
• Joy and Victor Carrillo Family
• Donna and Mark Chronister
• Cypressbrook Company/Brook and Mike Novelli
• Carolyn and Bob Easley
• Cynthia Figueroa & James Kenney
• Kathi and Dave Gibson
• Karen and Daniel Gold
• Charlotte and John Kimberlin
• Maura and Mark Montgomery - Houston
• Henry Morgan
• Vicki Mullins
• Susan and Boots Nowlin
• Michelle and Mark Pokorny
• Providence Church – Frisco
• John L. Roper
• Mary Alice and Jaime Savana
• Kacie and Brannon Sims
• Sam Spicer
• Lori and Jerry Stewart
• Alycia and Mark Stisser
• May Lynn and David Turtletaub
• Anne and Walt Waldie