Meet the Staff and Board Members from Hope Rescue Mission
Meet Our Staff
Jim Hicks
Executive Director
Jim Hicks comes to Hope Rescue Mission as Executive Director following 40 years of pastoral ministry. Jim received a BA in Biblical Literature from Northwest University, and a MA in Greek and Hebrew from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Being a lead pastor, church planter, as well as a staff pastor has allowed Jim to develop a wide perspective on Biblical leadership and its powerful impact upon people. He brings this heart and passion to serve, rescue, and transform those in greatest need by the grace of Jesus Christ through Hope Rescue Mission.When not serving Hope Rescue Mission you can find Jim and his wife Rayleen, riding, hiking, and exploring the trails of God’s wonderful creation in this beautiful state of Montana. There is a path forward for all who respond to the grace of Jesus Christ. Jim invites you to partner with Hope Rescue Mission as we show others God’s path.
Justine Morris
Development Director
I joined Hope Rescue Mission as the new Development Director in February of 2020. I was introduced to the organization last November as a volunteer working with the executive team on several marketing and development year end projects. I bring well over 10 years of experience in sales and marketing, as well as the development and fundraising arenas to Hope Rescue Mission.I have always had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. But after going through a very difficult personal situation in early 2019, I prayed for an opportunity to utilize my talents to serve others in a unique way. God answered my prayers and brought me to Hope Rescue Mission. I bring my heart and passion to help others, restore hope and change lives in my daily walk with the Lord. I am blessed beyond measure to serve the Lord and others in our community alongside individuals who bring that same heart and passion to those most in need in our community.
April Seat
Director of Outreach
My name is April Seat I am the Director of Outreach/549-Hope for Hope Rescue Mission. I started here in June of 2016 and have loved the calling the Lord has placed on my life, allowing Hope Rescue Mission to be the organization I get to do it at. I have a 25 year past of addiction and homelessness that God has restored and allowed me to see Him move mountains I never would have expected. In the time I’ve been at Hope Rescue Mission, God has abundantly poured out His favor to help those in greatest need as I once was. I look forward to continuing to see the Lord use those who were once broken and restore them to save so many others. The collaboration with our community partners, churches, and Western Montana has been the greatest achievement up to date. Goals for the future are to continue impacting our community, the broken, lost, and those in greatest need through the Grace of Jesus Christ. The greatest goal is to see the church become unified to make Jesus Famous…#WeAreStrongerTogether!
Sherry Gunter
Director of Finance
Sherry Gunter came to the Mission in 2012 to volunteer as a fill-in bookkeeper but God had other plans to use her 18-year banking career and 6 years as a church administrator for His good.Her educational background in Religious Studies and Communication Arts along with classes and experience in customer service, accounting, human resource law, team-building, database management, and a host of others have been put to good use. Sherry’s passion to serve comes from knowing that Jesus has a heart for the poor, the widows and the orphans and a desire to serve alongside Him.
Beth Kelley
Director HOPE Thrift Boutique
Beth Kelley is our Director of the Hope Thrift Boutique, a very important and unique social enterprise. With decades of retail and hospitality experience she leads an amazing team including volunteers and program participants focused on creating the one-of-a-kind thrift shopping experience.She first got involved with the Mission by volunteering her time to serve our community.
She is dedicated to the Hope Rescue Mission’s why… helping people, restoring hope and changing lives using every opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ. She sees work as personally fun and a bit of an endurance sport. She also loves to be outdoors on the water, growing beautiful flowers, baking yummy, sweet treats and most of all spending time with family and friends.
DeNae Hammonds
Director of Women's Center/Grace House
Hello. My name is DeNae Hammonds. God brought me to the Mission in 2018 to work with addicted women and their children. I was once an addict myself whose life and family was destroyed by my addiction. Through God’s Love and Grace, I was freed from my addiction in 2014. I was once a slave to a substance that stole everything I loved and now I am free.My heart and my passion is to help those still suffering from addiction find freedom, rebuild their lives, and restore their families through the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Jason Sims
Operations Director
Jason….Led by Lord and the Spirit to the Mission in January of 2017.Our Board of Directors
Steve Parker
Board of Director's President
Steve Parker was born and raised in southern New Jersey where he graduated from Lenape Regional High School in 1975. In that same year he began his undergraduate studies at Montana State University and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. In 1980 he began his gradute studies at the University of Wyoming and graduated in 1986 with a Master of Science degree in Geology and Geophysics. While in graduate school he met his future wife, Jeanne, in 1985 and they were married in 1986. After 34 years of marriage and two sons, Remington and Jordan, Steve is still richly in love with his bride.With 34 years of construction materials experience, Steve presently oversees the Cement Additives business unit for CHRYSO Inc in North America. He is the recipient of numerous industry awards including recognition as one of The Five Most Influential Leaders in the Concrete Industry in 2008 and in 2018 he received the most prestigious Award of Merit from the American Society for Testing Materials for his leadership and technical contributions. Steve did not necessarily seek out serving at Hope Rescue Mission as much as the Lord clearly led him to get involved. It was a transformative moment and has proven to be richly rewarding to contribute to the Hope Rescue Mission effort in western Montana; bringing a likewise transformative change to those in need of such change. A change that only God can bring.
Jeanne Parker
Secretary
As a fifth generation Montanan, Jeanne loves spending time with God in His creation with her husband Steve Parker. A graduate of Polson High School, Montana State University and University of Wyoming who has enjoyed living all across the Unites States but has come home to her favorite place, Montana. Thirty years away pursuing a career in Chemical Engineering has brought many new experiences and challenges but the most challenging job has been raising two wonderful boys that have become incredible men. God has guided Jeanne to a new challenge as the Kids Ministry Director at Church at the Gates. Moving from manufacturing chemicals and products to instilling a love of Jesus in small children has been quite an undertaking but immensely rewarding. Jeanne has been volunteering at UGM of Missoula, now Hope Rescue Mission, for over 4 years and joined the Board of Directors in 2019. Her heart is drawn to HRM to help people break the chain of drug addiction and poverty with the power of the only one that can possibly provide the way to life, our Lord Jesus.
Allen Cain
Treasurer
Allen Cain has been on the Board of Directors for 2 years and currently serves as Treasurer. He has a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University and recently completed his first year with Charis Bible College. Allen’s greatest passion in life is helping people understand the awesome gift of God’s Grace given to us through His son Jesus. His mission is to “To reach, teach, and empower others to live out the victorious life God has purposed for them.” When not teaching, Allen can be found hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and exploring Western Montana with his wife and kids. His greatest desire is “To be a great husband and an awesome dad.”
I have always had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. But after going through a very difficult personal situation in early 2019, I prayed for an opportunity to utilize my talents to serve others in a unique way. God answered my prayers and brought me to Hope Rescue Mission. I bring my heart and passion to help others, restore hope and change lives in my daily walk with the Lord. I am blessed beyond measure to serve the Lord and others in our community alongside individuals who bring that same heart and passion to those most in need in our community.
Alex Burkhalter
Board Member
A graduate of Missoula Big Sky High School and the University of Montana, Alex loves Missoula and the people who make it special. His wife of 15 years, Erica and their three middle and elementary aged children are the Missoulians he loves the most. As a family they spend weekends camping and playing at lakes in the summer and downhill skiing in the winter. In between all that fun, Alex specializes in the development of affordable rental housing using federal programs all across Montana and surrounding states. When not playing with family or working, Alex loves to ride mountain bikes; always looking for one more climb followed by an adrenaline filled race back to the bottom. First in his life, adding joy and color to all other areas, is his love and gratitude for Jesus Christ and the incredible act of redemption and love shown by Him made available to all who place their faith in Him.
or all who respond to the grace of Jesus Christ.
Jake Mischke
Board Member
Jake (originally from Dayton, Wyoming) and his wife, Mary, moved to Missoula in 2015. Jake is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton University. Prior to serving on the Board of Directors, Jake (and Mary) volunteered at the Grace House leading small group discussions on Conflict Resolution and Godly Financial Principles. While volunteering at the Grace House, Jake was able to see first-hand how God leads Hope Rescue Mission to restore hope and change lives. Jake joined the Board of Directors in 2018. He enjoys spending time in the beautiful Montana outdoors with Mary, their daughter, Emma, and their yellow lab, Trapper.
John Thee
Board Member
An Iowa farm kid, and proud Army veteran, John and his wife of over 25 years Lynn, made Missoula home in 2005. As usually happens in the Big Sky, they came for the Mountains and stayed for the great people. John and Lynn have been active in the Missoula Community since arrival. John previously served on Missoula’s Economic Development Board and spent nearly three years facilitating cooperation between Missoula’s Schools and the City’s multiple non-profit organizations serving youth – including the YMCA where Lynn was a board member for 8 years. John and Lynn’s two teenage daughters keep them active and on their toes. As a family they enjoy all the wonder Montana offers; skiing, camping, hiking, horseback riding and playing in the water. When not playing, John co-leads a green start-up which has patented a process for cleaning wastewater with algae and reducing CO2 in the process. Though very active, especially during hunting season, John’s life center remains his enduring faith in Christ. He remains in constant awe of God’s love for his children, and the ceaseless fruits of His spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Self-Control. John and family step into each day buoyed by the boundless redemptive spirit of Christ.
Amy Howie
Board Member
Amy and her family are relatively new to the beautiful town of Missoula. Her and her family packed up their lives and moved here in 2014 from Colorado when her and her husband, Jonathan, felt God calling them to start a life in Montana. Amy is passionate about many things including traveling around our country and worldwide, building relationships with people and making them smile, mountain biking and pretty much any activity that involves mountains and lakes. On any given day, Amy, Jonathan and their girls are out exploring new and beautiful sights around Montana. Amy is a former middle school and high school teacher of 13 years but has recently quit teaching to help her husband grow his e-commerce business. Amy is thrilled to be a part of Hope Rescue Mission and looks forward to how God will continue to move in this community!
Jonathan Howie
Board Member
Jonathan is grateful to be a part of the Board of Directors for Hope Rescue Mission. Indeed, my life was “saved” by grace back in 2000 and I have been a faithful follower of Jesus since then.
Jonathan is an entrepreneur and business owner here in Missoula. He has nearly 25 years in business experience and feel called that he can make an impact for God’s kingdom through business. Jonathan’s hobbies include running, cycling, and exercise. He loves to play golf, ride motorcycles, and generally just have a good time with our closest friends. He also has a passion for music and has been a worship leader, playing guitar and singing for local churches.
Jonathan and Amy have been married for 15 years and he is the father of 3 amazing daughters.