About Us:
The Founder’s Story
Serving the world by bringing the Good News of Jesus
On a Christian retreat in Chris’ senior year at James Madison University, he made the decision to fully surrender his life to Jesus Christ. The specific prayer God placed on his heart at that time was, “Jesus, the rest of my life is Yours, You can do with it whatever You want.”
God has seen fit to answer that prayer. Within that first year of walking with Jesus, God began placing the desire in Chris’ heart to start a missions organization, but it would be more than a decade of serving other ministries before that dream was realized.
Our Story
1999
A life fully surrendered
On a Christian retreat in his senior year at James Madison University, Chris Vennetti fully surrenders his life to Jesus. Within weeks, ESPN offers him a job. Through prayer, God leads him to say no to it and yes to the mission field.
2000-2001
Trained, sent, and married
God leads Chris to be trained in missions and to join the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, now called Cru. There he meets Rebecca, who had a similar experience of surrendering her future to Jesus and had been called to the mission field.
2002
Pastoring a local church
After several years with Campus Crusade, Chris and Rebecca join the staff of a local church in Orlando, Florida. Chris serves as youth and young adult pastor and eventually as the associate and mission pastor. Rebecca serves as the director of the children’s ministry.
2007
Six years in Ugandan missions
Chris is led by God to join a Ugandan missions organization, and serves with it for an additional six years.
2013
DNI is born
God places it on Chris’ heart to form Disciple Nations International, with the goal of serving and supporting church planters and Christian leaders around the world.
Today
Serving in more than 20 nations
After 27 years of full-time ministry, Chris and Rebecca serve pastors, ministry leaders, churches, and ministry partners in more than 20 nations, alongside their five children: Jeremiah, Joshua, Joel, Ruth, and Jonathan.
Where it beganChris and Rebecca, engaged. The start of a life given to the nations.
On the fieldChris and Rebecca serving on the mission field about twenty years ago.
Fruit of the journeyChris and Rebecca with their five children.
Our Vision
Everyone, everywhere, eternally transformed by the Good News of Jesus Christ, and discipled to obey all He has commanded us.
1 Timothy 2:1–4, 2 Peter 3:9
Our Mission
DNI exists to help people grow in deep intimacy with Jesus, transforming their lives and their world.
Matthew 28:18–20
Four Outcomes We’re Working Toward
Believing for 1 billion lives touched by Jesus’ love
Spirit-led leaders
Christ-centered leaders that live and minister daily in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The lost found in Christ
Believers that boldly share the Good News.
Believers growing close to Jesus
Everyday believers that grow in intimacy with Jesus and walk more closely with Him.
Communities & nations transformed
Local leadership teams and partnerships that bring lasting change to families, cities, and nations.
Our Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Advisory Board
International Missions Team
Administration
Why DNI Exists
The Heart Behind DNI
Everything DNI does flows from intimacy with Jesus. Before strategy, before training, before a single nation is reached, there is a Person who loves us and invites us to know Him deeply. That relationship is where transformation begins.
Across years of walking alongside leaders around the world, the same need keeps surfacing. Leaders need a safe place to be real, to heal, and to grow. That is why DNI exists: to come alongside Christ-centered leaders, equip them to live healthy lives and lead from a full heart, and send them out to carry the Good News.
As leaders are transformed, their families, churches, cities, and nations are transformed too. Thank you for praying and partnering with us.
What We Believe
Our convictions are rooted in Scripture and shared with the historic, evangelical Christian faith.
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