About Us

Jan Markell, Founder and President of Olive Tree Ministries, was saved under Jewish evangelist Hyman Appleman when she was a child. In Jan’s early ministry years she was a part of the Messianic movement, worked for pro-Israel agencies, and for Jewish evangelism ministries.

In 1982, Jan incorporated Olive Tree Ministries and the goals of the ministry can be read at “Our Purpose.” Jan has written eight major books with prominent Christian publishing houses. She has produced a dozen DVDs, some featured on Sky Angel. At one time she traveled full time across America as a speaker. Visit our store to see some of the products by Jan that are available for purchase.

In the year 2000, Jan launched a radio branch of the ministry starting first on AM980 KKMS, Minneapolis/St. Paul. In 2004, the program was syndicated nationally and is heard internationally on the Internet. “Understanding the Times” radio has been received well as a source of news and information hard to find. “Understanding the Times” is interview and commentary-driven. Learn more at the “Radio Show” category. We have had e-mail response from across America and from two-dozen foreign countries listening to the program.

The ministry has five employees including Jan’s personal assistant Heidi Swander. Other employees assist in radio production and technical areas.

Olive Tree Ministries is a registered 501©3 organization.

Board of Reference

It is with thankful hearts we list our "Board of Reference." Each has allowed us to call on them for counsel and input on behalf of this ministry:

Eric Barger
Apologetics and more!
Take a Stand! Ministry
www.ericbarger.com

Mike Gendron
Apologetics, Discernment, Winning Catholics to Christ
www.pro-gospel.org

Dr. Thomas Ice
Prophecy scholar, teacher, author and co-founder of Pre-Trib Research Center.
www.pre-trib.org

Bill Koenig
Author, White House correspondent, head of Koenig's International News
www.watch.org

Tom Marsland
Radio commentator/producer and ministry media advisor

Roger Oakland
Discernment ministry, author, conference speaker
www.understandthetimes.org

Dr. J. Randall Price
Founder, World of the Bible Ministries
Archaeologist, author, conference speaker, prophecy scholar
www.worldofthebible.com

Dr. David Reagan
Lamb Lion Ministries
www.Lamblion.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jan Markell, Founder/President

John Wicklund, Chairman of the Board

Eric Douma, Vice Chairman of the Board

Donna Chrest Hedden, Secretary of the Board

Marj Holsten

Phil Marin

Kerry Smith

John Strybicki

Heidi Swander

Barbara Westmark