“The Baptism site tells the story of one of the first refugees to Jordan, being Jesus Christ himself, may peace and blessings be upon him, and this story continues with the contemporary waves of refugees … I think it started here and it is a story that tells the story of Jordan throughout the ages … This is a UNESCO Heritage Site and needs to be protected; we want to make sure that this is preserved for centuries to come.”
A non-profit charitable foundation was established in the Kingdom under the name “The Development of lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site Foundation”, a legal entity with financial and administrative independence. In this capacity, it has the right to register movable and immovable assets under its name, expropriation, and carry out all legal actions necessary to achieve its objectives, including entering into agreements, borrowing and accepting donations, gifts, grants and bequests. Subject to the provisions of the Regulations of the Baptism Site Commission, the Foundation aims to develop the lands adjacent to the Baptism Site in a manner that would enhance the site’s status to become one of the most important and largest global religious and historical tourist attractions, and contribute to attracting religious tourism to the Kingdom, in addition to supporting and empowering local communities, boosting their capabilities, and providing job opportunities for them.
The Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site Foundation is led by a diverse board of Jordanians who have decades of experience in championing Arab and Jordanian social, political, and economic causes.
Businessman and Social Entrepreneur
Former Minister and Senator
Former Minister of Social Development
Former Senator
Former UNDP Head of the Poverty and Gender Team
Chairman of Fine Hygienic Holding
Chairman of Nuqul Group
Managing Partner at A&T Najdawi Law Office
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Former Board Member of the World Trade Centers Association
Former General Manager of Amman and Abu Dhabi World Trade Centers
CEO of Edgo, a leading energy services company
Seasoned commercial and investment banker
Media and Communication Consultant
Former Director General of Jordan Radio and Television Corporation
CEO of INJAZ
Board Member of Global Thinkers Forum
Former Board Member of King Abdullah II Fund for Development
Former Director of the Jordanian Armed Forces Supply and Equipment and Personnel Affairs Directorates
Former Military Attaché in London
CEO of Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation
Former Member of the Police Court
Former Administrative Affairs Director at the Police Academy
Bethany Beyond the Jordan, was registered as a nonprofit corporation in the United States on June 21, 2021. The principal purpose of the Foundation shall be to support the preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas) and related educational, charitable, religious, archaeological, cultural, community development, and environmental activities. The Foundation is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, and literary purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The board of directors of the Jordanian Foundation shall review and approve any and all grants, loans, gifts or other financial assistance made by the Corporation assuring that the recipient is and continues to be a public charity (or the equivalent in the country in which it is located), and setting terms and conditions, including reporting requirements, as to any financial assistance authorized.
President & CCO At Brewed to Serve (BTS)
Member of The US Foundation
Serves on a number of corporate and non-profit boards involving technology, international development and the environment.
Deerfield Academy Head of School
Former Headmaster at King’s Academy in Jordan
Former Academic Dean at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware
Professor of Medicine
Vice Research Chair for Innovation at the Mayo Clinic, MN, USA
Research Professor of Political Science and Law at Vanderbilt University
Founding President and CEO of Millions of Conversations
Senior Managing Director at BlackRock
Global Head of Investment Stewardship
Member of the firm’s Global Executive Committee
President, Regions and Corporate Relations - Bechtel Group
Former US Ambassador to Jordan during the period of 2011-2014
Advisor overseeing the overall development of the project, and an endorser of the project vision
The vision of Bethany Beyond the Jordan would not be achievable without our International Advisory Board members. The Board features world leaders in religion, business, military, the arts, entertainment, culinary experiences, investment, philanthropy, tourism, and finance.
Former Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization
Former Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization
Businessperson and expert in the hospitality industry
Executive Chairman of Ranco Holdings LLC
Chairman of Jordan Projects for Tourism Development
Chairman of United Insurance Co. Ltd. (Jordan)
Partner of Foursan Group in Jordan
President of Davenport
MGM Growth Properties Board Member
Chairman of the Board overseeing the development of the project, and an endorser of the project vision
Film and television producer
Founder of the Quincy Jones Production Company
Curator of the amphitheater program design and an endorser of the project vision
Film director, producer, and screenwriter
Director, writer, and producer of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogy
Curator of the museum and an endorser of the project vision
Chief Financial Officer at Epic Games
Advisor overseeing the financial planning for the project, and an endorser of the project vision
President, Regions and Corporate Relations - Bechtel Group
Former US Ambassador to Jordan during the period of 2011-2014
Advisor overseeing the overall development of the project, and an endorser of the project vision
Chef and founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK)
Curator of the culinary experience and an endorser of the project vision
President of the Kringle Candle Company
Advisor overseeing the media and communications and merchandising components, and an endorser of the project vision
Founder of Indagare.com, an innovative digital travel company
Curator of the wellness and spiritual component, and an endorser of the project vision
Member of the International Advisory Board
Vice Chairman, Executive Committee Chairman and Investment Committee Member at Dusit Thani Plc.
Advisor overseeing the project, and an endorser of the project vision
Former British Army officer
Director Special Forces
Moderator of Aqaba Process since 2015
Advisor overseeing the security planning for the site and an endorser of the project vision
Chairman of Prince’s Trust International
Chairs Maintel Plc. and the London Theatre Company
Advisor overseeing the project and an endorser of the project vision
Former President & CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Curator of the narrative and visitor experience on-site, and an endorser of the project vision