STAFF

Ray: Founder & Visionary

Ray’s ministry career spans four decades, including over 25 years on staff with a missions organization and several years serving as Executive Pastor of a large church in Johnson County, Kansas. Over the past 29 years, Ray has traveled extensively to 33 countries and has led more than 1,300 people on international trips—giving him a unique, firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by global leaders.

Ray is a connector, builder, and dreamer with a shepherd’s heart. Drawing from a wide network of trusted relationships around the world, he is able to come alongside leaders with intentional, one-on-one discipleship, spiritual care, and encouragement. A veteran of ministry, he serves as an experienced coach, walking with leaders both virtually and through in-person, on-site visits in some of the most challenging ministry environments.

When he’s not traveling or caring for leaders across the globe, you’ll likely find Ray at home smoking a brisket, sitting in a deer blind, or officiating a wedding—still doing what he loves most: investing in people and curating meaningful moments for Kingdom good.

Janell: Founder & Lead Advocate

Janell’s ministry tenure is equally long, serving alongside Ray for decades. She’s currently serving in church administration, a role she’s held for more than 15 years. Janell is a trusted confidant possessing strengths such as compassion, mercy, and hospitality. Janell’s favorite activities include investing time with their three adult kids and seven grand children, reading and traveling with Ray.

Ray and Janell are lifetime Kansans who have traveled to more than 30 countries over their 40+ years of marriage. Still, of all the places they’ve been, the Sunflower state remains their favorite place to call home.

Katelynn: Director of Advancement

Katelynn brings a passion for developing people, ministry, and missions to her role with ZEELO. A graduate of Southwest Baptist University, Katelynn’s post-college career includes Admissions Recruitment, Talent Acquisition, and most recently, Project Management in pharmaceutical technology. She has served in ministry both in the United States and overseas. She was part of the team that helped found a thriving young adult ministry in the Kansas City area and remains actively involved in her local church, where she invests in others through mentoring and discipleship. Katelynn is married, a mom and has long been drawn to the work of taking the Gospel to the nations.

Katelynn is an avid movie buff, aspiring golf enthusiast and loves encouraging others by building meaningful relationships. She and her family reside in the Kansas City metro and are grateful for every opportunity to serve Christ, both locally and globally.

BOARD MEMBERS

JARED & ANNA ZUERCHER: BOARD MEMBERS

Jared is an Engineer with Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City. Anna Grace is a homemaker and homeschool educator. They reside in Greenwood, Missouri.

RAY & JANELL ZUERCHER: CO-FOUNDERS

Ray and Janell are practical visionary implementers with over four decades of marriage and ministry experience. They reside in Olathe, Kansas.

ANDY & BREE YOUNG: BOARD MEMBERS

Andy owns an Orthodontic Practice. Bree is a Coach at their local high school. They reside in the Ft. Worth, Texas area.

JEFF BORKER: BOARD CHAIRMAN DENISE BORKER: BOARD MEMBER

Jeff is an expert in Digital Real Estate. Denise is a veteran of Insurance Underwriting. They reside in Spring Hill, Kansas.

STEVE KERN: BOARD SECRETARY LI ANNE KERN: BOARD MEMBER

Steve is with Burns & McDonnell Engineering. Li Anne is homemaker and homeschool educator. They reside in Lenexa, Kansas.

MATT REYNOLDS: BOARD TREASURER HAYLEY REYNOLDS: BOARD MEMBER

Matthew is the Director of the Emergency Department of a large metro hospital. Hayley is a Registered Nurse. They reside in Kansas City, Missouri.

ABOUT US

  • Our values shape how we care for Global Leaders and carry out the mission God has entrusted to us. These are not just principles we believe—they are commitments that guide every interaction, decision, and relationship.

    Christ-Centeredness

    We seek to honor God above all else, measuring success by His glory—not our reputation—and walking in humility as we serve others.

    “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…”
    — Philippians 2:3–4

    Prayer

    We depend on God in all things. Prayer is not an afterthought but a central part of how we seek His wisdom, discern His direction, and care for those entrusted to us.

    “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
    — Colossians 4:2

    Stewardship

    Everything entrusted to ZEELO belongs to God. We faithfully steward our time, resources, and relationships to serve others well.

    “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace…”
    — 1 Peter 4:10

    Rhythms of Rest

    We believe rest is an act of trust and obedience. We intentionally create rhythms of rest that restore our souls, deepen our dependence on God, and sustain long-term faithfulness in ministry.

    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
    — Matthew 11:28

    Accountability

    Because much has been entrusted to us, we operate with integrity, responsibility, and clear structures that ensure ethical and faithful conduct.

    “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
    — Colossians 3:23–24

    Generosity

    Following Jesus’ example, we give freely of our time, resources, and care—trusting that generosity brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.

    “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor…”
    — 2 Corinthians 8:9

    “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
    — Acts 20:35

    Partnerships

    We believe in doing life and ministry together. By collaborating with like-minded partners, we expand our impact and better serve Global Leaders.

    “Two are better than one… If either of them falls, one can help the other up.”
    — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

    Excellence

    Providing exceptional care is central to our mission. We pursue high standards through diligence, integrity, and attention to detail.

    “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
    — 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Wisdom & Resourcefulness

    We approach each situation with discernment and creativity, continually learning and adapting to better serve others.

    “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
    — Proverbs 18:15

    Our Commitment

    We are committed to providing exceptional care in every interaction—treating others as we would want to be treated.

    “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
    — Matthew 7:12

  • We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Our practice is to abide with God daily through reading and studying His Word.

    We believe in prayer. Our practice is to spend time in prayer daily, not just to make our requests known, but to better know the God who loves us and gave Himself for us.

    We believe in one God, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our practice is to walk in obedience to our Heavenly Father, being sensitive to the Spirit’s direction for the glory of the Son.

    We believe in the Great Commission. Our practice is to participate in this divine calling as disciples of Jesus while helping others do the same.

  • ZEELO staff and volunteers have served as missionaries, church and para-church staff and pastors. They’ve raised families while investing their lives in ministry. Their experience in pastoral care, administration, logistics, and networking is central to the work. ZEELO has a growing network of global leaders. These relationships afford unique opportunities to connect leaders with others who can serve, care for, and minister around the globe. Through the use of technology, our staff and volunteers are able to multiply ministry efforts in ways that were previously impossible.

  • BETTER LIFE FOR PASTORALISTS BLFP is an indigenous organization in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia which believes that sustainability, self-support, and peace can be achieved through the advance of the gospel.

    CALLED TO GO Exists to extend the reach of the Gospel to communities and regions that are currently unreached, delivering the message of hope to those who have yet to hear. They are committed to addressing the needs of marginalized and neglected segments of society, fostering care and compassion by leading individuals to embrace the transformative power of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection, and finding salvation for their souls.

    GENEROUS CHURCH
    GenerousChurch equips leaders in global church networks to unleash generous disciples. We believe generosity has a far more robust meaning than simply giving money. Living generously is richer and deeper — tied closely to discipleship and spiritual formation. Through leadership development and innovative tools like the Generosity Design Lab™, they help leaders and church planters unleash Biblical whole-life generosity which helps fuel the spread of the Gospel.

    JOURNEY BIBLE CHURCH
    Meeting the practical and spiritual needs of people in far off lands is a big deal at Journey Bible Church. We take the time to invest in a few, strategic areas through relationships with missionaries on the ground. We call this effort Global Missions. We believe that everyone has a role to play in reading those in need in our world. Your part may be to pray for missionaries and mission efforts. You may financially support long-term missionaries or help fund short-term mission trips. You might even find yourself participating in a trip to see firsthand the work God is doing and use your skills and passions to make a difference in the lives of others.

    MISSIONEXUS
    The vision of MissioNexus is to see missional leaders accelerating the fulfillment of the Great Commission in servant partnership with the church globally.

    UP GLOBAL
    The UP Global Network is committed to people groups that are less than 2% Christian and without a church presence. These are called the “unreached.” UP Global exists to make Jesus known among these unreached people groups. They provide a pathway to the unreached by developing partnerships, providing training, and assisting in development.

  • ZEELO is a blend of Greek and English words for Zeal, Life and Logistics. The name is intentionally ambiguous, but memorable. The owl, more than a mascot, looks east towards the 10/40 window and represents the values of generosity, excellence, vision and innovation. Founded in 2020, our roots go back to the advocacy work of author Max E. Zimmermann who founded the Immanuel Mission in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. Other influencing organizations include YFC, Avant, and the Gideons International.