Residential Staff
The backbone of our program is our staff, who relationally commit themselves to the residents and families. Our Residential Staff are vibrant, enthusiastic, post-college men and women who display a keen sense of responsibility and strategic thinking. Striving for excellence, pursuant of relationships, and committed to returning each child home as soon as possible, all the Heartlight staff are Christians, displaying a great sense of grace and compassion when needed, and strength and discipline when necessary.
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Blake Nelson, Residential Director, is a native of the East Texas area and has been a part of Heartlight’s staff since May of 1999. Because he has held positions in several different areas within the program throughout that time span, Blake is no stranger to the structure of Heartlight. Knowing all of the “ins and outs” of the program definitely aids Blake in his management of the Residential area. Blake brings enthusiasm and excitement to the staff, as well as experience in helping families as they struggle through difficult times. Blake’s boldness and sense of confidence with Christ is displayed daily in the way that he relates with both the kids and the staff members. In his free time Blake enjoys hunting, wakeboarding, and a variety of other sports. Blake is married to Melissa Nelson, our Admissions Director, and has two daughters, Maile and Macie. |
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Ben Weinert, Assistant Program Director and Assistant Residential Director 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. |
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Robbie Becker comes to us from Wheaton, Illinois. Robbie is a 2007 graduate of Columbia International University where he majored in Inter-Cultural studies and Bible. His experience working with kids includes inner city camps, sports ministries, and time spent as a camp counselor. Robbie loves being around kids and experiencing their excitement for life. He desires to be influential to the residents he lives with as they are in the midst of this crucial time in their lives. Robbie’s relaxed attitude and laid back personality coupled with his passion for the Lord give him a unique gift for working with teenagers. Basketball, guitar, reading, and ultimate Frisbee are some of the activities that Robbie enjoys. |
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Chad Cox, Assistant Residential Director, is from San Diego, California. He attended Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois and then graduated from Sterling College in Kansas with a degree in Youth Ministry. Before coming to Heartlight, Chad was a youth pastor at a church in Kansas. His experience working with young people has been extensive, not only as a youth pastor, but also as a young life leader and a volunteer at several different churches. Chad has gone through struggles in his own life that now allows him to personally relate to many of the backgrounds of the residents that we serve. He brings a passion for teenagers and an outgoing and fun-loving personality to his position on the Heartlight staff. Some of his hobbies include football, soccer, camping, and Bible study. Chad is married to Amanda, another Heartlight staff member. |
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Amber Horto, House Director, is from Canyon, TX. Prior to coming to Heartlight, Amber was a real estate investor in the West Texas area. Some of the experiences Amber has had working with kids include working with the youth group at her local church and participating in various student mission trips. Amber feels called to minister to kids and truly enjoys spending time with the girls she lives with in house. Her contagious fun-loving personality as well as her ability to make people laugh, allow her to connect well with the residents and staff at Heartlight. Some of her hobbies include reading, listening to music, and singing. |
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Amy Marion, House Director, is from Columbia, South Carolina. She attended Columbia International University where she earned her degree in Psychology and Bible. Amy’s past experience with young people includes mentoring freshman college girls and working as a nanny. Her passion for coming alongside struggling teens and helping them get to a better place in life comes from her experiences and her desire to be used by God. Amy’s relational style and upbeat personality make people around her feel welcome and comfortable. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, reading, cooking, and photography. |
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Rachel Olshine comes to Heartlight from Columbia, South Carolina where she recently finished her bachelors’ degree in Communications at Columbia International University. Throughout college, Rachel worked with teens as a Senior High volunteer and small group leader. Rachel’s desire to impact teens’ lives by seeing them grow as people and in their relationship with Christ is central to her motivation for working with struggling teens. Rachel’s energy, laughter and encouraging attitude have brought a breath of fresh air to the Heartlight team. In her free time, Rachel enjoys traveling, shopping, and going to concerts and movies. |
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Emily Roberts, Assistant Residential Director and Staff Recruitment Direector is from Orange, TX. She attended Texas A&M University where she earned her degree in Theatre Arts. She began her work at Heartlight in January of 2006. Emily has worked with young people as a youth intern and with the youth group Sunday school class. She really wants to show these teenagers the love Jesus has for them and the hope that comes with knowing Him. Emily enjoys movies, theatre, laughing, coffee, and hanging out with friends and family. Emily’s optimistic, genuine, and compassionate personality allow her to point others to Jesus as they see His light in her life. |
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Steven Stitley, House Director |
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Meredith Grausam: House Director, arrived at Heartlight in June of 2007 and has brought the energy and competitive drive that allowed her to excel in collegiate athletics at Houghton College, and models it every day to the residents she lives with. 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 her residents 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 with the residents. |
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Jamie Jacobs. Jamie joined the Heartlight staff in October of 2007 coming to us from Spring Hill, TN. Before moving to Texas, Jamie spent one year at Columbia State Community College while working a part time job at The Home Depot. Jamie brings a joyful heart and the desire to show teenagers that God is much bigger than the problems they are in the midst of and that actually overcoming them is not impossible. Jamie’s warmth and good natured personality allow others to feel welcome and included, especially the girls she lives with at New Lodge. |
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Laura Smith. Laura brings a multi-cultural perspective to the staff and residents at Heartlight. She grew up in Nairobi, Kenya giving her a completely different outlook than most of the other staff. Laura’s passion for truth and worldly vision combined with her creative, deep-thinking personality give the Vickie’s residents a great opportunity to gain insight to another side of life. Laura spent her college years in Siloam Springs, AR attending John Brown University where she majored in Biblical and Theological Studies. Laura has had experience with missions and local churches, serving as an intern at First Baptist Church in Longview. Laura lives with the conviction and drive to spread the Truth that brings freedom and to be a vessel of God’s love. |
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Lindsey Miersma. In the summer of 2007 Lindsey was working at a preschool back home in California when she and a friend were looking up therapy programs and came across the website for Heartlight. Lindsey immediately felt God calling her to move to Texas. She is originally from Ontario, CA and went to school at Azusa Pacific University where she earned her B.A. in Psychology. Nothing brings Lindsey more joy than working with young people. She has worked with all ages of children, including daycare and volunteering at her home church. Lindsey enjoys a variety of activities such as playing the piano, swimming at the beach, and riding bikes. Her compassionate and patient heart allows her to sit and listen with the girls and walk through each day with them. Lindsey has labeled herself a “contextual introvert” and loves spending time in the presence of other people, making Heartlight an ideal environment. |
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Courtney Nichols. Courtney began working at New Lodge because of a unique situation in her family. Her sister, Kirsten, was a resident at Heartlight when Courtney came to visit. After talking with the current staff, Courtney realized that the love she possesses for children and her spontaneous personality would fit in well living with teenagers in a residential setting. She graduated with a B.A. in Counseling Psychology/Bible Theology from William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA. Her experience working as a camp counselor has given her insight that is a vital component to helping residents to make the best decisions for their future. |
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Melissa Hicks. Melissa is one of several staff members from the state of California (Kingsburg) currently working at Heartlight. Melissa has been a mentor for a Foster Agency, a member of a street evangelism team and before coming to Hallsville she completed an internship with Teen Mania Ministries. Her vast range of experience working with children and ministry has given her a character constructed of perseverance, reliability, and a “team concept” mentality. Her belief is that the current generation of teenagers is a “very influential, desperate, and powerful” one. Her desire is to help equip those she lives with and give them the opportunity to know the Truth of the abundant life that God has mapped out for them. Her degree in Psychology, mixed with her curiosity, inspires her to search out God’s mysteries as she invites the residents to do the same. |
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Mark Becker. Mark was persuaded to join Heartlight by his younger brother, Robbie, who also works as a residential staff member. He decided to put off his dreams of becoming a professional golfer to minister to teenagers and families that are struggling. He is quickly learning the joy and happiness that living in a house full of teenagers can bring as this is his first major experience working with young men in a ministry setting. He grew up in Wheaton, IL then moved out west to attend the San Diego Golf Academy where he earned his degree in Golf Management. Mark’s energy and encouragement is a refreshing trait that gives the guys at East House a positive influence. |
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Samantha Cassel. Sam’s belief and faith in the Lord led her to Heartlight as she feels this is where God has called her to minister. Springboro, Ohio is home to Samantha and is where she spent much of her time working with young people, whom she considers the “lifeblood of any culture”. Her desire and determination to positively impact the world around her serves as motivation as she works with youth. She believes that today’s young people, if guided in the right direction, are capable of making our culture one that can make a positive difference. She graduated from Lee University in Cleveland, TN with a B.A. in English and has past experience working with a childcare center and as a camp counselor. Sam’s heart is filled with love for those who have been hurt by the church and wants to change the negative stereotype that many people hold towards Christians. |
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Sally Welbourn |
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Jackie Venable |
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Hope Hilbish, House Director . Growing up in Columbia, SC Hope quickly found her love for the outdoors and refreshes herself at the start of every day with the beauty of God’s work so prevalent in nature. Gifted with a passion for walking alongside students and families that are struggling, Hope’s encouragement and unfading smile are a blessing to the residents of South House. Hope graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministries & Bible with an Outdoor Leadership minor from Columbia International University. Prior to moving to Hallsville, TX, Hope was working in Canada in the field of youth ministry. God used a Youth Specialties Conference to introduce Hope with one of the staff members and the program here at Heartlight Ministries. |
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Shawn Landers. Shawn is back in Texas after spending time working with a church youth group in Shakopee, MN. He takes pride in his ability to relate to teenagers and has had experience with churches in the Victoria (Houston) area. Living in house with energetic and active kids is a reward in itself for Shawn, since he enjoys the excitement and idea of “not growing up” and having fun with life. Shawn is passionately involved in sports and enjoys watching and participating in football and video gaming, allowing him to relate well with many of the residents who also enjoy such activities. Although Shawn loves to be goofy, his degree in Theology from Houston Baptist University enables his intelligence and beliefs to come through in the more serious moments at East House. |
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Mike Bradfield. Originally from Arlington, TX Mike began working with the Main House at Heartlight in January 2008 after hearing about the program from his girlfriend, a former residential staff member. While going to school at Tarrant County College, Mike displayed his likeable personality working as a valet. Mike’s strong belief in “intentional living” allows him to build friendships with others as he strives to impact today’s society by creating strong relationships, especially among families. Mike enjoys camping and traveling and brings a new perspective to the Residential Staff. |
