About our founders

A testimony of God’s goodness. A passion to see lives transformed.

We are Pieter and Melinda, founders of Arise & Shine International.

Meet Pieter & Melinda

Our hearts are to see people encounter Jesus, discover their identity in Him, and step boldly into the extraordinary plans He has prepared for their lives.

Our own journey has been marked by the transforming power of God’s love, faithfulness, and redemption. Through a profound season of personal healing, freedom, and marriage restoration, we experienced firsthand that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think.

What began as a personal testimony became a calling to equip others.

Today, we are passionate about helping individuals flourish in their relationship with Jesus, equipping marriages and families to thrive, and training believers to minister effectively to others.

We believe that freedom is not the finish line. It is an invitation to walk more fully in everything Jesus has made available to us.

Our greatest joy is seeing people discover who they are in Christ, embrace their God-given purpose, and become equipped to bring His hope and love into the world.

Our prayer is that through Arise & Shine International, countless lives will be transformed, marriages strengthened, families established, and leaders equipped to impact generations and nations for Jesus.

Pieter & Melinda

Pieter Lagaay D.P.M., J.D.

Bezalel Innovations, Founder and CEO

Pieter brings over 15 years of medical and legal expertise as CEO of Bezalel Innovations. As an AO fellow, former board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, and instructor for the American Academy of Foot and Ankle Osteosynthesis with multiple clinical publications, Pieter is passionate about innovation and healthcare. Pieter also holds a Juris Doctorate providing valuable insight into healthcare law and intellectual property. Pieter’s vision is to develop innovative medical technologies that improve patient care and foster the next generation of purpose-driven leaders. His leadership is grounded in his faith, strong moral principles of integrity, service, and care for the local community.

You can find more about Pieter and his work at BezalelInnovations.com

Melinda Lagaay

Founder: Melinda Lagaay Ministries

Melinda is a true visionary who loves to build, teach, and equip the body of Christ. Melinda believes that we can truly be transformed through the renewing of the mind. Melinda is a licensed pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California. Melinda and her husband Pieter are passionate about seeing marriages restored and equipping the body in inner healing and deliverance. Melinda’s powerful testimony demonstrates that love conquers all and dreams can be resurrected no matter the circumstance. Melinda is a testament that with God, all things are possible.

You can find more about Melinda at MelindaLagaay.com

Our Mission

To awaken believers to their identity in Christ, equip them to live in freedom and Kingdom authority, and empower them to bring lasting transformation to their families, communities, and nations.

Through biblical teaching, discipleship, mentorship, inner healing, deliverance, and leadership training, Arise & Shine International exists to raise up believers who know who they are, confidently pursue their God-given calling, and equip others to do the same.

Our Vision

To see individuals, marriages, families, and ministry leaders around the world flourishing in Christ and advancing His Kingdom through transformed lives.

We envision a global community of believers who are established in righteousness, grounded in the Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and equipped to demonstrate the love and power of Jesus wherever they go. Our desire is to see personal transformation become generational and global impact.

Freedom is not the destination. It’s the beginning.

Jesus didn’t simply set us free from something. He set us free to become everything He created us to be.

Isaiah 60:1 · Ephesians 3:20

Want to know more?

We would love to hear from you — questions, speaking invitations, or prayer requests.