 | Ben Weinert, Residential Director/ Program, came to work with Heartlight Ministries in September of 2003. He attended George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon and earned a degree in Christian Ministries and Theatre. While attending college, Ben worked at a camp in Colorado for three summers and was a member of both the program and a counseling staff. In addition to this experience with young people, he volunteered at several churches helping out with the youth group programs, and spent 2 years as a House Staff and House Director here at Heartlight, before moving into the Assistant Program Director role. Ben’s creativity and energy are evident to all who meet him and are vital to Heartlight’s staff. |
 | Meredith Grausam, Residential Director, arrived at Heartlight in June of 2007 and has brought energy and reliability to the Heartlight family. Mere began living “in house” at New Lodge and Vickies before moving into a supervisor role in January of 2009. She grew up in Williamsport, PA where she discovered her love for an active life that involves playing as well as coaching basketball, fishing, traveling (most notably in Russia & the Czech Republic) and spending time with others allowing her to build meaningful relationships. Meredith’s intuitiveness and creativity allow her to challenge others to unleash their true aspirations as she digs past the exterior and into the hearts of the people around her. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she is open to new ideas and her curiosity leads her to grow in relationships. |
 | Meg Jasper, Residential Director. Meg has an extensive background in camp ministry having served for 10 years as a counselor, lifeguard, and office assistant. Originally from “everywhere,” she’s lived in three countries and enjoys spending time in the outdoors (kayaking/wakeboarding). Meg relates easily to residents as a result of her various experiences. She says, “I just love getting to know them individually, and hopefully encouraging them in the decisions they will make in life.” |
 | Corry Boatwright, Residential Director. Corry, aka Boatie, comes to Heartlight after spending 4 years in a similar role in the Dominican Republic, Canada, and Indiana. He is determined to use the gifts God has given him to bless others and his “slow to anger”, patient personality is a tremendous blessing for those that he encounters. After growing up on a farm and learning to handle horses, Corry helps out with the horses here on campus and he also enjoys fishing, weightlifting and sports activities here at Heartlight. |
 | Bryan Bedsan, New Lodge House Director. Bryan comes all the way from Costa Mesa, California, bringing with him that easygoing West Coast spirit. Immediately, Bryan’s compassion and care for people comes across when you meet him; he is a very patient listener with an open and honest spirit and truly has a desire to live his life in such a way that it communicates God’s love. Bryan graduated with a degree in psychology from Vanguard University and has been highly involved in high school ministry for the last several years of his life. He is grateful for the positive role models in his life and hopes to be able to have the same impact on the lives of others. Bryan enjoys surfing, snowboarding, building and fixing motorcycles, fishing hiking, doing anything outdoors, and playing the drums. |
 | Cassie Christensen, Residential Staff. Cassie was working part-time at a program called Teen Challenge before coming to Heartlight. Originally from Lakeland, Florida, she had spent the last five years working with teens in various capacities from head counselor at camps to volunteering at a detention center. Cassie attended the Baptist College of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Studies. Besides bringing such a wide variety of experience with her, she brings to Heartlight an open heart and an infectious spirit of laughter and joy-something desperately needed in times of struggle. Cassie enjoys playing sports of all kinds and is always taking opportunities to stay active and enjoy the East Texas sunshine. |
 | Ross Strain, Residential Staff. Ross brings a unique perspective to the Heartlight family, as he can relate first-hand with the kids that come through our doors. Ross was a resident at Heartlight over ten years ago and believes so strongly in the foundations that the program created for him, that he decided to follow God’s call on his life to come back here and work as a staff member. Ross is originally from Abilene, Texas, and attended college at St. John’s in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has a very compassionate, honest, and hard-working spirit about him, and enjoys playing tennis, golf, and reading. |
 | Courtney Craft, South House Director, With a friendly smile and the determination to help out in any way she can, Courtney has been a welcome addition to the Heartlight residential staff. Originally from Bay City, TX, Courtney completed her undergrad at Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Marketing and then worked at a summer camp and in the school system for several years. Her humor and energy serve her well in relating to kids on their level while giving them a good example to follow. |
| Stephen Simmons, Residential Staff. Originally from Arlington, Texas, Stephen traveled all the way to England to serve as an intern at a church an hour north of London before coming to Heartlight. Besides his experience working with kids in England, Stephen also has worked at camps and Christian schools and feels God’s call on his life to work in youth ministry. Stephen received a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Baptist University and enjoys reading, playing Frisbee golf, and collecting old vinyl records. He is laid back, loves to laugh, and has an open heart and caring nature that he brings to the house setting. |
 | Rachelle Robinson, Residential Staff. Rachelle recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado where she received a degree in communication studies with double minors in journalism and psychology, but all of this grueling schoolwork has not dampened her spirits! Rachelle brings a constant energy and excitement to Heartlight’s campus and has an ability to bring anybody out of their quiet shell. Through various experiences (summer camp counselor, high school ministry intern), Rachelle has developed a passion and love for kids; she says, “They are so unique and simply desire to be loved, which is something I can give them.” Besides making us laugh, Rachelle also enjoys sports of every kind, and avidly follows the NBA, NCAA basketball, MLB, and NFL throughout the year. |
| Raquel Rees, Residential Staff. Raquel comes to Heartlight after receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) in College Station, TX. Originally from the Houston area, Raquel is without question a dedicated Aggie who loves her friends and family, has a passion for music and coffee, and enjoys meeting new people. She has an approachable and easy-going spirit, and is able to show the love of Christ to the kids at Heartlight on a daily basis as her care and compassion for them naturally shows itself. Raquel loves to work with kids, and says, “I feel that this age is a pivotal point in a person’s life where they figure out who they are and who they want to be. I want to help them find their identity in Christ as they are going through that process.” Raquel is a talented guitar player, singer, and also enjoys reading, running, sports, A&M football, and being outdoors. |
 | Jenny Jackson, Residential Staff. Jenny is originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but considers herself a California girl in many ways after going to Biola University for her undergraduate degree. She hopes to one day go back to school to become a Clinical Psychologist in California. Jenny brings a sweet and eager spirit to Heartlight’s team, and many of her personal strengths relate to relationship-building. She believes that offering to truly listen to kids and care sincerely for them is so rare a thing to happen in today’s world, and has committed to being that sincere listener for kids, especially as they are becoming who they will be for the rest of their lives. When Jenny is not enjoying the warm California sun, she enjoys going to coffee with friends and dreaming about those sandy beaches. |
 | Bob Luckenbill, Residential Staff. After four years in the Marine Corps, and time attending Penn State University to pursue an undergraduate degree in Business with a concentration in Management and Marketing, Bob received a forward from his church secretary about working at Heartlight and followed the call to serve with us here in Texas. Bob has spent many years working with church youth groups and has a drive and desire to help build positive character, personality, and spiritual development in the lives of kids. He is able to use various skill sets that he’s gained, such as carpentry and groundwork, to connect and build relationships with kids. He is originally from Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, and enjoys hiking, camping, climbing, mountain biking, reading, working out, and traveling. |
 | Keegan Jones, Residential Staff. Keegan hails from Riverside, California, where he also attended college at California Baptist University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies during his time there, then moved to Portland for a year after working at Mount Hermon Camp in Santa Cruz. Keegan brings an element of optimism and a laid-back, positive attitude to seemingly difficult situations, and is willing to help and serve in whatever capacity he is needed. Keegan enjoys working with kids because “aside from all the fun, I desire the opportunity to have an eternal impact on a student during the foundational years of their life.” Keegan enjoys playing basketball or any other sport, traveling, boating, exercising, playing the guitar, going on walks, and of course, surfing. |
 | Kiley Kemp, Residential Summer Staff. Kiley is another native of the great state of California, bringing the infectious sunshine with her in her cheerfulness and friendly nature. Kiley has attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where she studied Psychology and Nutrition. She has worked as a tour guide and campus representative for Baylor, and even drove the tour busses-a new hobby of hers. She also enjoys running, cycling, painting, and baking. Kiley has previous experience working at Kanakuk camp in Colorado, and energetic and enthusiastic about the great things that God is doing and will do in the lives of the teens that she encounters. Kiley also has a passion for public health and nutrition and hopes to one day be a part of combating the obesity epidemic in America. |
 | Benjamin Eggers, Residential Staff. Benjamin had been working toward a graduate degree while also employed full-time caring for traumatized kids when he realized that he was looking for something different, heard about Heartlight, and came ready to serve and care for kids. Benjamin is originally from the Kansas City, Kansas area and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Family Ministry with an emphasis in Counseling from Manhattan Christian College. He has spent much of the last several years working with kids in some capacity (mentoring, working at a children’s home, homeless shelter, and psychiatric residential facility for severely traumatized/abused kids), largely because of the call that God has placed on this stage of his life to invest in others who are hurting just as people had cared for and loved him along a rocky path. He shares, “I’d be pretty dispirited about life if it wasn’t for those who cared for and loved me along the way. I want to invest in kids like I was invested in because it has made all the difference.” Benjamin is quite the outdoorsman and enjoys bicycling, running, swimming, soccer, baking and cooking, hiking, kayaking, and anything else out-of-doors you can imagine. |
 | Allison Conway, Residential Staff. Hailing from Albuquerque, NM, Allison obtained her B.S. in Psychology from the University of New Mexico. She was a youth leader at her home church and also spent 3 years as a Crisis Hotline volunteer. She says, “God has given me a passion for teenagers and a desire to help and encourage them during this crazy time in life!” A former personal trainer, Allison enjoyed working out, spending time with friends and family, and participating in water sports. |
 | Jon DePue, Residential Staff. Jon first heard about Heartlight from his friends Adam and Ashley McMahen (current Heartlight counselor). He’s lived in Longview and attended LeTourneau University where he is close to completing a degree in Aeronautical Science. As a teenager, Jon was deeply impacted by the investment of adults in his life and he desires to offer the same care for teens here at Heartlight. He brings compassion and steadfastness to the staff and enjoys an eclectic mix of playing music, sports and exploring the outdoors. |
 | Andy Phillips, Residential Staff. Andy first learned about Heartlight from his friend Corry Boatwright, a current residential director on staff. As a former football/basketball/baseball coach, Andy knows how to shape a group of kids to achieve a team goal! He graduated in 2005 from Taylor University in Upland, IN, with a degree in Business Management and has worked for the past few years a commercial/residential mortgage broker. His outgoing personality and passion for people will allow Andy to connect well with staff and residents at Heartlight. |
 | Lisa Loniewsky, Residential Staff. After attending Northlake Community College in Irving, TX, Lisa spent time working in the medical field and as a barista at Starbucks. For the past 10 years Lisa has served as a volunteer with her church youth group and got to experience a wide array of ministry opportunities. As a lover of the New York Giants and drinking coffee, Lisa connects well with people when she can share quality time with them. On working with kids, she says, “I love pouring into them and just listening to their stories as well as helping them grow together through life.” |
| Cayla Waller, Residential Staff. Cayla comes from Kansas City, Missouri, and attended college near Kansas City as well, at Park University. Cayla received her bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Fine Performing Arts. Cayla brings a very energetic and fun-loving spirit to the Heartlight community. Cayla truly cares about kids and shares that her heart is burdened for those who have struggled; her main goal is to love them regardless of their circumstances and hopefully make a positive impact on their lives and their choices. Her experience spans from coaching to being a camp counselor to working with children in a before-and-after-care program. Cayla enjoys music, art, sports, riding horses, reading cooking, skiing & snowboarding, leading worship, and spending time with family and friends. |
 | Katie Rider, Residential Staff. Having just completed a degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University, Katie joins the team from Mansfield, OH. Along with an energetic and positive outlook, Katie says, “I love working with kids because they are great to connect and talk with!” She has a wide variety of ministry experience including time spent working at an inner city school in Detroit, a camp for foster kids, and a youth detention center. She lists basketball, volleyball, and softball among her favorite hobbies in addition to going on outdoor adventures. |
 | Jessica Creeden, Residential Staff. An avowed Eagles fan from Lancaster, PA, Jess will be in the minority when the Cowboys play their NFC East rivals this fall! Before coming to Heartlight, she attended Kent State University and Lancaster Bible College and studied Phys Ed/Health and Bible Ministry. This well rounded educational experience combined with a variety of roles (camp counselor, youth group leader, coach) gives her a great foundation from which to minister effectively to teenagers at Heartlight. Jess brings “a huge desire to learn more about God, others, and how to help others” and a spirit of compassion to the Heartlight staff. |
