Kelli Drury, Executive Director of The Joshua Fund
Kelli Drury is the Executive Director of The Joshua Fund and a seasoned non-profit leader with over 30 years of experience
With over 30 years of experience in Christian ministry management, Kelli has held key roles at several globally recognized Christian organizations – including Focus on the Family, David C Cook, and The Joshua Fund – where she built a reputation for specializing in working with globally-minded, visionary leaders. Throughout her career, Kelli has helped these ministries expand their reach and impact, drawing on her strong organizational leadership and passion for the Gospel.
Career and Ministry Leadership
Kelli began her career in the early 1990s at Focus on the Family, an international Christian family ministry whose radio broadcasts have reached over 200 million people worldwide in 150+ languages. In her years at Focus on the Family, she coordinated major projects. She gained foundational experience in ministry operations, contributing to the organization’s mission of strengthening families and spreading the Gospel.
Building on that early experience, Kelli went on to serve in executive leadership at other ministries. From 2011 to 2015, she was the Executive Administrator and Chief Operating Officer at GateKeepers International, an intercessory prayer ministry with a global network. In this role, she oversaw day-to-day operations and supported the vision of the ministry’s founders, working closely with ministry partners worldwide. This period honed her skills in organizational management and aligning operational efforts with big-picture ministry goals.
In 2015, Kelli joined David C Cook, a renowned Christian publishing and curriculum organization, as Executive Administrator to the CEO. She served in that capacity until 2021, acting as a key support to the executive team of a nonprofit that equips churches worldwide with discipleship and worship resources. David C Cook’s materials are published in over 150 languages and distributed in more than 120 countries, and Kelli’s leadership behind the scenes helped facilitate this global outreach. She was instrumental in translating the CEO’s visionary initiatives into actionable plans, coordinating across departments to ensure the ministry’s operations ran with excellence. Her tenure at David C Cook saw the organization continue to innovate and expand its impact, providing Christ-centered resources to millions of people.
Leadership at The Joshua Fund
Kelli’s journey with The Joshua Fund began as part of the organization’s senior leadership team, where her extensive experience and steady guidance quickly became invaluable. In 2024, during a season of transition for The Joshua Fund, Kelli stepped in as Interim Executive Director, capably steering the ministry’s day-to-day work and strategic direction. The Board of Directors noted her excellence in that interim role, and as of January 1, 2025, Kelli was officially appointed as the Executive Director of The Joshua Fund. In this role, she now leads the organization’s efforts to fulfill its mission as “a non-profit educational and humanitarian relief organization to bless Israel and Her Neighbors in the name of Jesus”.
As Executive Director, Kelli oversees initiatives ranging from humanitarian aid to educational projects aimed at blessing communities in Israel and the surrounding region. Under her leadership, The Joshua Fund team continues to operate with unity and purpose, partnering with churches and leaders in the Middle East to provide relief, encourage believers, and share God’s love in practical ways. Kelli’s combination of strategic vision and heart for ministry ensures that The Joshua Fund remains effective in its calling, even amid challenging times in the region.
Education and Personal Life
Kelli Drury holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Management and a B.A. in Religion from Azusa Pacific University, which gives her a strong foundation in organizational leadership and theological understanding. This dual academic background has equipped her to approach ministry leadership with professional excellence and a Christ-centered perspective.
Kelli is deeply committed to her family and community outside of her professional work. She and her husband, Mark, live in Arizona, near their grandchildren. In her personal life, as in her career, Kelli is known for her warmth, integrity, and servant-hearted leadership. She remains passionate about empowering others—whether they are colleagues in ministry or members of her own family—and she brings that same enthusiasm and faith to every endeavor.
With her decades of experience, proven leadership, and unwavering faith, Kelli Drury stands out as a dynamic and compassionate leader. She continues to leverage her expertise to advance The Joshua Fund’s mission and to serve the broader Christian community, exemplifying the very best of visionary and impactful ministry leadership.
Sources:
- Focus on the Family global broadcast reach
- David C Cook worldwide distribution of resources
- The Joshua Fund announcement of Kelli Drury’s Executive Director appointment
- The Joshua Fund mission statement
