OUR STAFF
Founder, Executive Director
Murray Tilles, born and raised in a religious Jewish home, accepted Jesus as his Messiah while a student in college at the University of North Carolina in 1979. Founder and Executive Director of Light of Messiah Ministries, a gospel centered outreach to the Jewish people in Atlanta, GA, Murray has spent 39 years proclaiming the message of Jesus to the Jewish community. His desire is also to help Christians understand the Jewish roots of our faith.
Murray earned his BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill as well as earning a Masters of Divinity and an M.A. in Counseling and Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield IL. He is a missionary, author/writer, theologian, apologist, and teacher, who has appeared on television and radio, and has spoken in over 4000 churches around the world. Currently, Murray speaks in churches around the country helping his brothers and sisters in Christ understand the Jewish roots of our faith through Passover services, teaching on the Jewish foundation of faith in Christ, the Jewish festivals, the conflict in the Middle East.
Murray lives with his wife in Roswell, GA. He has two adult children.
He is the author of "Devoted to Israel", a devotional for Christians to learn about our Jewish roots and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Murray Tilles
Community Engagement Coordinator
Mariah has had a love for the Jewish people and a curiosity about Jewish history since childhood. After taking Hebrew 101 online, her longtime interest grew into a deeper passion, and she began studying the Jewish Feasts and Festivals. She soon found joy in sharing them with her church.
She holds a B.S. from Georgia Southern University in International Studies and History, as well as an M.S. in International Policy Management from Kennesaw State University. Her love for culture and story has taken her across Europe, including meaningful time studying Jewish history in Poland and Hungary. Her first visit to Israel was with Light of Messiah Ministries on their inaugural Young Adult trip, a journey that left a lasting imprint on her heart.
Mariah is passionate about helping the Church rediscover the Jewish roots of our faith and the beauty of the biblical Feasts and Festivals. She believes that a deeper understanding of this heritage strengthens the Church’s ability to recognize and stand against antisemitism in all its forms. Her heart is to see believers grow in love and understanding, building genuine and lasting relationships with our Jewish brothers and sisters.
Mariah Charnock
Executive Assistant - Operations
Alana Tilles has been on staff with Light of Messiah Ministries since its founding in 1991 by her husband, Murray. Alana is a graduate of John Wesley Bible College in High Point, NC with a B.A. in Bible and Theology. She fell in love with the Jewish people while in college and then with her Jewish/Christian husband during her junior year.
After marriage to Murray in 1984 she served alongside him with the ministry of Jews for Jesus from 1984-1991. Alana is primarily in charge of accounting, but contributes to all aspects of the ministry including creative input, holiday and event planning, and our Israel tours.
Alana Tilles
Social Media & Content Manager
Courteney is a wife, mom of six, and lifelong creative communicator, Courteney brings both passion and personal calling to her work, helping Christians understand the Jewish roots of their faith and equipping them to lovingly share Jesus with the Jewish people.
Courteney oversees all social media content for Light of Messiah, including teaching posts, evangelism resources, biblical education, storytelling, design, reels, and online engagement. She creates clear, accessible content that bridges the gap between the church and the Jewish world, helping believers see Jesus in His Jewish context and recognize God’s ongoing covenant with Israel.
Her heart is to make theology simple, biblical truth beautiful, and evangelism compassionate. Through her storytelling, discipleship-focused posts, and educational series, Courteney helps thousands grow in their understanding of Scripture, Israel, and the Messiah at the center of it all, Jesus.
Courteney lives in Georgia with her husband and children, where she balances ministry, motherhood, community outreach, and a deep love for teaching others who Jesus truly is.