Warren and Velma Hardig

In 1970, as a successful businessman and new Christian, Warren Hardig visited OMS’; mission work in Haiti. On a narrow mountain trail, a Haitian beggar dropped to his knees and urged Warren to make him a Christian. This God-directed event became the catalyst for Warren's missionary commitment. Convinced of lay-witness effectiveness, he left his business in 1973 to represent Men for Missions (MFM), the laymen's voice of One Mission Society.

As the central regional director, Warren coordinated this laymen's movement across a 14-state area for more than 8 years, driving over 55,000 miles per year. Organizing laymen into more than 30 councils, he then accompanied them for participation in OMS mission projects in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Following a year as U.S. director of MFM, in 1983, Warren was named international director and served for 37 years. Providing leadership for worldwide MFM activities, he served as the liaison between MFM and OMS.

Warren is also the author of one of MFM's best-selling books, Iron Sharpens Iron, which tells the story of his personal journey and the key people who changed his life forever. It has been translated into Hungarian, Russian, and Spanish. He has since written two similar books, Still Sharpening and Sharper Than Any Two-Edged Sword. Warren has contributed to the book, Effective Men’s Ministry, published by the National Coalition of Men’s Ministry. Warren’s chapter 25, titled "Life Changing Short-term Missions," focuses on building a men’s ministry in the local church. Warren is also a regular contributor to MFM's official publication, ACTION Magazine. MFM’s book, Of Guts and Grace, 50 Years with MFM, by Carroll Ferguson Rader, tells more of Warren’s adventure of faith.

Warren is chairman of the board of Duewel Literature Trust and a board member of Warrior’s Hope, a local ministry for military veterans.

Warren and Velma have taken hundreds of people on teams to minister in 40 countries. Specifically, they helped more than 225 people travel to Russia to serve the Lord for short-term mission trips, some of whom are still serving. In her own right, Velma has been responsible for the myriad logistical details required for people’s trips in a foreign mission field. Velma also worked on foundation requests for funding of major projects. Warren and Velma continue to speak in church meetings and mission conferences. Velma capably challenges women, especially to support the ministry of Men for Missions. She provides warm, loving hospitality for MFM guests and other mission guests.

Believing that they will “retire when the devil does,” Warren and Velma currently serve as the global prayer ambassadors for Men for Missions.

The Hardigs have two delightful children and two amazing grandsons.

MFM exists to challenge people to take up the unfinished task of reaching the lost for Christ. The challenge of MFMI is:

• Do whatever God asks you to do
• Go wherever God asks you to go
• Give whatever God asks you to give