SANTA ANA, Calif. — Carl A. Moeller, former pastor of membership at Saddleback Valley Community Church, has been appointed new president and chief executive officer of Open Doors USA. The announcement was made by the Open Doors USA board of directors.

Open Doors with Brother Andrew, which will be celebrating 50 years of ministry in 2005, is an outreach to Christians worldwide who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ through training, Bible Study, and spiritual encouragement.

"God has given Carl a unique blend of academic knowledge, worldwide field experience, development skills and pastoral care,” said Al Janssen, chairman of the Open Doors USA board of directors. “With all of these qualities combined with the gift of leadership, I believe Carl will play an important part in expanding the mission of Open Doors as it continues to help millions of Christians who are being persecuted for their faith.

“My wife and I have truly felt the hand of God leading us to this ministry,” he said. “We look forward to the many great things that the Lord has planned for Open Doors.

“I believe that the single most important assistance that Christians in the United States can give to the suffering Church is prayer—but that prayer is uninformed without a concentrated effort to bring awareness of the need to Christians here. I believe that mobilizing the support of Christians in the United States is vital, and my most important task with Open Doors is to unite and motivate believers all across this country to meet the challenge of supporting our suffering brothers and sisters.”