Miriam Diehl- Founder/Director

Miriam Diehl is the founder of the MADIE project. Her heart has always been to empower and encourage others. She spent over 30 years in public education in many different capacities. She taught first at the elementary school level then shifted her focus toward special needs children. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Education and teach at Ohio University. She served both the county and local school district as Administrator for the Special Education program for many years. In every endeavor, her heart was to see those she taught to over-come difficulties and move toward a better future for themselves. This same passion took her to the mission field with her local church, where she helped lead multi-generational work teams both in the USA and inter-nationally.

All of these experiences really came together during one particular mission trip that took her to Ethiopia. There her heart connected with the plight of the people in the community where she served. Soon after retiring, Miriam had the opportunity to devote herself to the work of helping this small community in a very personal way. She partnered with an organization that was helping to feed and school children in the village. She spent the next two years living in Ethiopia and serving the community. During this time, she felt called to begin an organization that could really focus on education and nutrition. Miriam returned home and began the process of partnering with a church in the small village of Denkaka, Ethiopia. In 2013 the MADIE project was started with Mulu Wongel Church.

Dr. Tina Black, Executive Director NC3 Ministries

Pastor Tina has over two decades of ministry experience, including 10 years in Student Ministry and 10+ years serving as a Senior Pastor. From the time she took a position as Youth Pastor at the age of nineteen, Tina has been passionate about seeing lives transformed as people become more intentional in their faith. Tina has led numerous mission teams to serve the needs of local communities, to help with disaster relief in several states as well as work projects in Mexico. Her unique style of ministry inspires and challenges students and adults alike. She has dedicated her life to serving, study and leadership. 

Tina holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Ministry Degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Master of Science in Instructional Technology Degree from Fort Hays State University  and Doctor of Christian Counseling Degree from Pillsbury College and Seminary. She is a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor, Certified Temperament Counselor, member of the National Christian Counselors Association and IFOC Chaplain. Currently, Tina serves as executive leadership for MADIE Ministries and continues to serve God as Pastor, Counselor and Consultant.

Misgana Leta – Director of Ethiopian Operations

Misgana Leta lives in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. He graduated from Unity University in Addis, Ababa in September of 2018, where he studied marketing management.  Misgana lived with his parents in Debre Zeit. They lived in military housing because his father was a soldier with the Ethiopian government. When Misgana was ten, his father passed away from a virus he contracted while bathing in contaminated water. His family had to vacate their housing with no income. His mother was unemployed and she had to care for three children. An officer gave them a small room in the back of his house. This room was about 8X12. Misgana slept on the dirt floor with a small blanket. He remembers many days where there was no food for the family to eat. He attended a public school for half a day but was going to have to drop out because of finances. He began running the streets in search of something to fill the void in his life.An organization began supporting him and his brother. They paid for his schooling and limited food items for a short interval.  He finished his last six years of school supported by an individual and received a full day private education. He now attends a university while continuing his participation in the ministry in Denkaka, Ethiopia.  Misgana has lived in a missionary home for the past eight years. He has served in the following capacities: interpreter, team coordinator (which includes transportation to and from airport and to the village of Denkaka, housing, food,safe water), communication liaison between USA and Denkaka, English tutor, and oversees the missionary house.  Misgana contributes his life change to the exposure of missionaries in his life. Misgana was baptised at the age of sixteen and strives to live a life to glorify God.