Leadership

Russ Martin was named president of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in 2014, after serving in various capacities at MBCH since 1977.  He has a master of business administration degree from Missouri State University and did his undergraduate work in business-economics at College of the Ozarks.  He is a certified financial planner.  Russ serves as a team leader and peer reviewer for the Council on Accreditation and has also served COA as a commissioner.  He has served on the board of Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies and serves on the board of Missouri Alliance for Children and Families.  He is a veteran due to his serving on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and also as a reservist in the United States Naval Reserve.  Prior to coming to MBCH, he was with College of the Ozarks where he served as registrar and as assistant treasurer.

In addition to serving as president of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, he also serves as the president of the affiliates in the family of corporations of MBCH, which include MBCH Foundation, MBCH Properties, and MBCH Children and Family Ministries and its affiliate, The LIGHT House.

Julie was named Vice President of The LIGHT House in 2019 after serving as The LIGHT House Program Director for seven years. She led The LIGHT House to accreditation by COA in 2018 and has worked diligently to expand community outreach in the Kansas City area.

Julie is a Licensed Masters Level Social Worker with an emphasis in children and family therapy. Her social work history includes: counseling, domestic violence advocacy and residential service management, education support, hospital social work and foster care supervision. Julie is responsible for supervising the three service areas of The LIGHT House: residential programming, adoption services and community education. She is also responsible for managing the agency’s performance and quality improvement programs. She also co-created The LIGHT House Tech Savvy Parenting curricula and has recently completed certificate training as a Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist.

She earned the Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas and Bachelor of Social Work from Kansas State University.

Ramona has been with MBCH since 1990 and has served in many different capacities during her tenure. Her expertise is in residential care, foster care, performance and quality improvement, and management of programs and staff. Ramona has served in the past as Residential Social Worker, Crisis Care Coordinator, Residential Coordinator, Foster/Adoptive Director and currently serves as Vice President of MBCH Children and Family Ministries. Her duties include supervising five state-wide Program Directors, the Church Engagement Strategist and the Records Supervisor. She is also responsible for managing the agency’s performance and quality improvement programs. Ramona holds a master’s degree in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker.  Ramona assisted in leading the agency to become trauma-informed through the implementation of the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model.

Andy Helton was named Accounting Services Director at the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in 2017. Andy came to MBCH with over 20 years of accounting experience with various companies including the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and BKY Healthcare.

Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Maryville University.

Andy serves as an ordained deacon and has taught 5th-6th graders for the past 8 years at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. He has served on multiple committees including Finance, Personnel, Recreation and Trustees.

James Morrow joined the staff of the MBCH Foundation in January 2008 as our Development Officer (DO) for East and Northeast Missouri. In July of 2015 he began serving as Foundation Services Manager, and on July 1, 2016, James took on the role of Vice President of MBCH Foundation. In this position James is responsible for managing MBCH Foundation staff including our four regional representatives that work with local churches, pastors and MBCH donors. Additionally, he oversees the areas of special events, tax credit administration, deferred giving and grant writing.

James and his staff make group presentations and presentations to individuals sharing the ministry challenges and opportunities of the Children's Home and showing both groups and individuals how they can be personally involved in this vital ministry to children. James is trained to lead Living Generously Seminars and can meet with individuals to help them find answers to their questions and solutions to meeting their planning objectives.

James received a B.A. in Bible from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri in 2006, in 2010 he earned his MBA from William Woods University, and is currently working on his Master of Arts (Theology) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor to First Baptist Church of Climax Springs, Missouri for 2 years and was employed with the March of Dimes Foundation, Ozark Division, in Springfield, Missouri.

James and his wife, Danielle were married on June 18th, 2005, and have one son, Patrick Evan, and two daughters, Jamie Grace and Kierlin Marie.

Amy serves as the Training and Development Director for all programs and staff across the state. She joined the MBCH family in 1992 as a Residential Specialist. Since then she has served in many different capacities including Recreation Specialist and Supervisor. In 2000 she began serving as the Staff and Foster Parent Training Specialist and in 2015 was promoted to her current position.

Amy earned a Master of Arts in Communications from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Science in Church Recreation from Southwest Baptist University. In 2016 she became a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner from the Dr. Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. She is also certified as a CPI Instructor and CPR/FA Instructor.

John joined the staff of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in 2010 as the Coordinator of Electronic Media.  Today John is the Director of Web Development and Computer Services. John supports our mission by managing the various contracts with vendors across the state, managing our public website and intranet all while providing support to our 215 staff across the state.

Before joining MBCH, John worked in corporate America first as a Travel Agent then worked for Maritz on the help desk and eventually joined their web development team.

John married Rose Ann in 1981 and enjoys riding his bicycle whenever time permits.

Rose Ann joined MBCH in June 2017 after retiring from teaching in the Parkway School District. Rose Ann currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary working with our staff and our board members.

Brandon has served as an ordained deacon and has been actively involved in children’s ministry at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in St Charles, Missouri for over 20 years. In addition to his local church, York has served in children’s ministry in several states nationally through Vacation Bible School missions, as well as partnering in international medical and evangelical missions to Mexico, Senegal, Gambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

God called Brandon to be a “dad” with the adoption of his beautiful daughter, Ruby Grace York, in 2012. Even greater was the blessing of Ruby accepting Christ as her personal Lord and Savior on Father’s Day in 2018. Brandon is humbled and deeply thankful for both God and Ruby’s birthmother loving Ruby so very much that they gave sacrificially through the gift of adoption.

Serving in many leadership roles throughout his career, God’s gift of quick ascension through the ranks eventually led to Brandon starting his own multi-level, healthcare organization in 2002, owning and operating assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and out-patient therapy centers. Simultaneously, he established his own real estate investment firm, an operations management company, and a management consulting and interim placement services organization.

God has uniquely blessed Brandon with professional, family, mission, and ministry experience which have well-prepared Brandon for partnering in the mission and ministry of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.

Von is a Program Director for MBCH Children and Family Ministries. She first joined the staff in 1991 as the social worker for the Crisis Pregnancy Program. This included both the maternity home on campus as well as services in the community. Over the years at various times Von has been involved in Pregnancy Services (St. Louis and Southeast Missouri), Residential Services (St. Louis and Southeast Missouri), Developmentally Disabled Services (Kansas City), Family Foster Care (St. Louis and Kansas City), Family Resource Development (St. Louis, Southeast Missouri, Kansas City), Intake, and the Counseling Center (St. Louis).

Von has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from California Baptist College and an M.S.W. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Lisa Lowrance is the Program Director for our Springfield Office. Lisa has more than 17 years of experience in child welfare including extensive experience as a case manager for children and youth in state custody due to abuse/neglect as well as experience in resource development. Prior to coming to MBCH Children and Family Ministries, she served as the Senior Program Manager of Foster Care for Lutheran Family and Children’s Services. She is responsible for the following programs at our Springfield Office: Family Foster Care (case management), Treatment Family Care, Resource Development and Transitional Living.

Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with minors in Sociology and Communications from Missouri State University. She earned her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Drury University.

Nate Melton is the Program Director for MBCH Children and Family Ministries in the Joplin Office. He first joined the MBCHCFM family in 2012 as a Family Foster Care Specialist. He has also served as the Lead Family Foster Care Specialist, Family Foster Care Supervisor, Intensive Family Reunification Services Supervisor, Treatment Family Care Supervisor, and Family Resource Development Supervisor all in the Joplin Office.

Nate earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science Education from Southwest Baptist University in 2007 and a Master of Science in Education in 2008 also from Southwest Baptist University.

Nate was ordained in 2012 at Journey Church in Joplin where he and his wife serve as the Young Adult/College Ministers. Additionally, Nate is the Chairman of Deacons and a member of the Church Council.

Chuck Phillips serves as a Program Director responsible for programs at Peculiar and Mt. Vernon; he supervises the Therapeutic Group Home, Developmental Disabilities Program, Human Trafficking Rescue, Family Resource Development and Treatment Family Care. His first position with MBCH was as the Assistant Director of Residential Programs in Mt. Vernon and Peculiar. In 2002, he began supervising the Developmental Disabilities program in Peculiar and in 2018 added The Branches at Brookline to his responsibilities. In 2013 he became a Program Director for the Kansas City region where he oversees both Residential and Community-Based programs.

Chuck earned a Master of Arts in Church and Community Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pittsburg State University. In 2019 he became a Certified Trainer of Darkness to Light Stewards of Children.

Kristi Theriot serves as a Program Director responsible for programs at the St. Louis office; she oversees the Transitional Living and Pregnancy Transitional living Group Homes, Transitional Living Scattered Sites and Human Trafficking Rescue in the St. Louis area. She is the state wide director of the Treatment Family Care Program. Her first position with MBCH was as a Youth Care Specialist in Mt. Vernon in 1990. In 1999 she helped start the Treatment Family Care program in the St. Louis area. She has also worked in Family Foster Care, Family Resource Development, and has supervised the Treatment Family Care program since 2009.

Kristi earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from Lindenwood University, a Bachelor of Arts in Children’s Ministries from Baptist Bible College and a Bachelor’s of Art in Religious Studies from Lindenwood University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the state of Missouri.

Kathy is a dedicated Christian professional with 11 years’ experience in counseling. She enjoys establishing rapport with individuals and families; providing clinically sound counseling to individuals, couples, and families so that people experience change in all areas of life. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Kathy’s experience includes counseling for a private agency from July 2008 – April 2011 and currently, doing private and agency counseling. Her passions include working with women who have sexual trauma and domestic violence issues. She also works with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, and a host of other emotional issues. She has 13 years of experience working for a Contracted Children’s Division Unit at MBCH Children and Family Ministries, 11 years of which she worked as a Supervisor. As such, she is aware of the therapeutic treatment goals many Children’s Division’s families have and what the courts require for children and parents to be reunited and for families to achieve stability.

Kathy is an active member at her church and is a Division Leader with the Women’s Ministry and a Division Director with the Anchor of Hope Ministry over Sexual Integrity groups. She has facilitated a sexual trauma group for 20 years. 

David was named Church Engagement Strategist in 2018, after serving in various capacities with MBCH since 2000.  He has served in a variety of programs with MBCH including both community based and residential based services, and has had the opportunity to provide program leadership as a past program director and regional vice president.

David is an ordained minister, and has served in the local church as a youth minister. During his first 10 years of service at MBCH he also served in bi-vocational ministry roles as Associate Pastor and Pastor.   David earned a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry and Bible. In 2018 he became a certified facilitator for Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children.

George was named Church Engagement Catalyst in 2018 as he continues to serve as Spiritual Life Director since he joined the Agency in 2007.  In 2018 George also became a certified facilitator for Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children. 

Born and raised in Chicago, IL. George earned an Undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas, and awarded a MBA in Marketing from Maryville University in St. Louis.  He is married to Sandra Fulgham, is the father of 3, and grandfather of one.  A former successful Business Sales Executive for AT&T and Cardinal Brands, he was called into the ministry, ordained and licensed.  Pastor George has pastored or co-pastored 2 different churches as a bi-vocational minister for 15 years. 

Wanda is beginning her 5th year with the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) as the Women’s Ministry Specialist for the State of Missouri. Prior to that she served as Women’s Ministry Consultant with the Missouri Baptist Convention for 7 years and as a MBC State Regional Leader for 3 years prior to that. She served for 15 years as the Women’s and Girl’s Ministry Director at FBC in Carl Junction, MO. It was during this tenure that certification and training was received from LifeWay for Women’s Ministry.

Wanda is passionate about sharing the gospel and discipling women and girls. She provides events, training clinics, bible study resources and individual, church or associational wide helps.

She serves as a Church Engagement Catalyst on MBCH’s Church Engagement Team and has received her Certification as a Facilitator for Stewards of Children and for Becoming a Church That Cares Well for The Abused and is available to provide these trainings to churches, daycares and schools.

Wanda and her husband Kent, have two married daughters and four grandchildren. They are members of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, MO.

Ben King grew up on a farm in Northwest, MO - more specifically Grant City, MO. He gave his life to Christ during Vacation Bible School when he was 8 years old. Ben’s love and passion for the Lord and his people are a daily reminder of Christ’s love for the church. He has been married to his wife, Marie, for 12 years. Together they have 3 children they adopted from the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program. Ben King holds an Associate Degree in Computer Technology from Vatterott College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Master of Science in Management (Non-Profit focus) from Lasell College. He was licensed into ministry May 22, 2011.

Ben King has been in ministry since giving his life to Christ and has been in full-time ministry since 2001; he has served when the Lord led throughout a variety of ministries. From Sunday School teacher to Pastor, Ben has been involved with almost every church ministry. Ben has been a camp director, filled in for Pulpit Supply, a Family and Education Pastor, a Worship Leader, a Youth Minister, a Children’s Director, and a Children’s Pastor. Ben has also worked for City Union Mission meeting the needs of the most vulnerable homeless men, women, and children in Kansas City. Ben and Marie have a special heart calling for the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. Before they were married Ben was a Youth Specialist at the Byrne Campus in Peculiar. After they were married and became foster parents in 2016, the Lord led them to Therapeutic Foster Care in 2017 with the Byrne Campus. The opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus with the children and teens God brought through our home has been nothing short of a challenging, yet humbling experience that continues to grow our faith and show us more of God’s unfailing love every day. Ben and his wife Marie have a heart for taking care of those in need, especially children and teens. For years, our ministry has been found in meeting people where they are at, sharing Jesus with them, and loving on those people God has placed in our lives - and it continues to be.

Jo Ann joined the foundation staff in July of 2022, as the Tax Credit Specialist.

Before joining the Foundation Staff Jo Ann was a Substitute Teacher in the Hazelwood School District for 3 years, with
The last year working in (SSD) Special School District.

Before that Jo Ann worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Customer Service Department for
33 ½ years retiring November, 2009.

Jo Ann is single with one son Tyjuan Young, one foster son, Oscar Carter, 3 granddaughters, 7 grandson and 2 great grandsons.

David McMullin is a life-long resident of Missouri, presently residing in the Bourbon area. He has been in sales and management for more than 40 years.

David is a long time member, Sunday school teacher and deacon for Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan, Missouri. He has had the opportunity to participate in children camp mission work and also work for six years in a local mission as a delivery agent.

He has been married to Sarah (Dace) McMullin for more than 47 years and is the father of three grown daughters: Shelly, Laura and Megan.

Joe Nogalski is a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He has been married to his wife, Joyce, for 38 years (July 13, 1984). He has two children who are both married and serving the Lord. He also has four amazing grandchildren.

Joe has been with MBCH as the northwest regional representative since October 21, 2019. He is excited to be moving into the southwest. Joe and Joyce are happy to be closer to family as they serve the Lord through the ministries of MBCH.

Joe Nogalski has over 40 years of ministry experience. He has been a senior pastor for 25 years. Joe is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in church growth. He also graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield with a BA in Missions. He started the humanitarian outreach, Care4Ghana, and has helped launch Crossing for Mercy which is now Mission3:18. Joe resigned from Memorial Baptist Church (MBC) in New Haven, Missouri, where he saw the average attendance go from 80 to over 250. While senior pastor of MBC, the church ministered to over 200 kids a year through Upward Basketball, started Lighthouse Academy Preschool, and revitalized a small country church seeing weekly attendance go from 7 to over 50.

Joe, would love to be in your church, organization’s meeting, prayer group, and/or revival meetings. He has done a wonderful job of pulpit supply and brings a good sense of humor to your meetings. Any size group should give him a call. You’ll learn, be challenged and enjoy the service.

Kenny was born in St. Louis and raised in Hardy, Arkansas. He has a strong history in business management and sales.

He has spent his entire life in the Baptist Church. He and his wife are active members of Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan. Kenny has filled many ministry positions in churches including nursery worker, teacher, music leader and deacon. He most enjoys working in children’s church. “It is very important to reach children for Christ,” Vawter said.

Kenny is happily married with six children and sixteen grandchildren.