Voice of Hope - Jerusalem

Board Member

Mark Wilson is currently a Financial Representative for Modern Woodmen of America. Wilson received his commission at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, in 1994 as a Field Artillery Officer. Mark LTC (Ret) served with the Kentucky National Guard throughout his 22 year career; last assignment he served as Executive Officer for the Warrior Transition Battalion on Fort Knox where he retired on Feb 19th 2015. In 2011 he served as a Resource/Department of Logistics Operations Officer/Deputy Director of Garrison Command Victory Base Camp part of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB); Liaison Officer for the 149th MEB to National Guard Bureau to assist with mobilization of the Brigade; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Logistician Officer mentor to the Afghan National Army in 2005-2006; Battalion Intelligence Officer, Headquarters and Headquarter Battery Commander; Battalion (Bn) Maintenance Officer; Battalion Logistician Officer; Battery Operations Officer; Battery Ammunition Officer; Multiple Launch Rocket System Platoon Leader with 1/623, 138th Fires Brigade (FIB); Fire Support Officer and Battery Executive Officer with the 2/138th, 138th FIB. Mark awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal w/one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/two Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device and 20 year Gold Hourglass, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal w/one Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal , Global War on Terrorism, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award) Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Combat Action Badge. Wilson served as a Scout professional with the Lincoln Heritage Council of the Boy Scout of America from 1996 till June 2010 when mobilized in support of Operation New Dawn. Mark has served in many capacities to include District Executive, Senior District Executive, Exploring Executive, District Director, and Field Director. Mark Wilson has worked with the following programs, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Career Exploring, and Learning for Life Programs. Mark held numerous staffing assignments to include Advisor to District Day Camps, Council Venture Advisor, Advisor to Council Motor Cycle Ride, Council Advancement Advisor, Council Boy Scout Camp Program Director, Council Boy Scout Camp Director and Staff Advisor to Boy Scout State Legislative Fund-Raising Event. Mark upon retirement from the Kentucky National Guard changed careers and went to work for Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial as a Financial Representative where he has works with Life, Health and retirement products. He currently has his Life, Health, Series 6 and Series 63 License. He offers Planning for Life with the goal to help people build a solid Financial Plan for their future. Products offered include Employee Benefits, Business Insurance, Life, Health Individual, Health Group, Dental, Vision, Disability, Medicare Supplements, Mutual Funds, and Modern Woodmen Annuity fixed and Variable Products. Mark Wilson has worked in in the financial field for over 6 ½ years with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mark accomplishments/Professional Affiliations are: Eagle Scout, President Theta Chi Fraternity, Chairman of Eastern Kentucky College Republicans, President South Louisville Okolona Rotary club and is a Paul Harris in Rotary International, American Legion member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, life time member of Kentucky National Guard Association, and life time member of the National Guard Association. Mark makes his home in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife Lori, and 2 sons Jacob (16) and Connor (12).  

 Board Member 

Dave began his ministry as a musician touring with Joy Inc out of Milwaukee Wisconsin. After serving as a youth and music minister for 20 years at Louisville Trinity Church in Louisville Kentucky, Dave pioneered a new church plant. He and his wife Pam have been pasturing this church - The River - for the past 20 years.  Dave and Pam have two children, Faith and Kylin.

Over 20 years ago pastor Dave Heigl planted a new church in the heart of Jeffersontown KY.  Today The River reaches not only the east end community but has branched out to the west end of Louisville.  Ten years ago pastor Dave began ministering to the working class community of Portland.  Originally beginning as a traditional church, it didn’t take long to figure out that in order to reach this amazing community, he would have to try some alternative methods.  After trying unsuccessfully to reach the adult community by hosting a weekly Bible Study, pastor Dave hit the streets. Each weekend a group would walk the west end talking to neighbors and asking if they needed prayer. The need for a local church that could really impact the Portland area was still not realized.  About 5 years ago the opportunity opened up for him to open a food pantry thus The Urban Ministry Center was born.  Each week since then, the Urban Ministry Center has been feeding from 60-100 families weekly.  Every Monday the pantry opens it’s doors.  Those who come for food are offered the opportunity to attend a short worship service where they are encouraged to walk in their true identities instead of defining themselves by their sins. The results of these services have seen an average of 500 come to the Lord each year.  God continues to bring in new people each week and then He shows them His amazing unconditional love. His goodness and kindness draws them to salvation and they are set free.

One day at the pantry several attendees asked, “When are you going to start a church here?”  Site 61 (taken from Isaiah 61) was birthed out of that request.  Site 61 meets every Sunday evening.  People who attend are being discipled and are encouraged to continue their walk with the Lord.  After the service there is a fellowship meal where people (whether they attend the service or not) are given a warm meal.

    Board Member  

Shirley started her career in Portsmouth, Virginia as a Sales and Marketing representative for WYAH-TV.  She spent 5 years working in the Tidewater area of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Hampton and Newport News where she won Sales and Marketing Account Executive Person of the Year one year, and other numerous Sales awards with record breaking sales and marketing plans.

Shirley left to start her own company “Absolute Concepts” which was a Marketing /Advertising Agency that specialized in trouble shooting corporate marketing plans with companies that allowed her to come in and make changes or re-focus to gain market increases while establishing partnering opportunities to bring in co-op advertising dollars.

Shirley sold her company in order to work for Broadcast Equities, a Virginia based corporation that owned a national radio network. After becoming General Manager she was tasked to reformat the radio network into a national news radio network. She was promoted to Vice President and began the process of creating Standard News Radio Network, which today is part of the Salem Radio Network. Standard News became the largest radio rip and read news service to affiliate stations all over the United States.

Shirley went to work for Trader Publications, a Norfolk, Virginia, based company that published 650 weekly magazines, 32 monthly publications, in addition to a small newspaper “Footnotes” geared to the towing and recovery industry, and a NASCAR magazine known as “Racing Milestones,” a NASCAR fan magazine. Shirley held the position of Vice President of both National Co-op Sales and National Sales closing a million dollar contract with General Motors, which was the largest contract produced for Trader Publications. She was given more responsibilities and named Publisher of both “Footnotes” monthly newspaper and “Racing Milestones.” She remained  there 5 years and left to start a new marriage and continue raising her 7 children. 

Shirley decided to re-enter the marketplace 1 year later and went to work for Benchmark Management Company a Dallas based Company that manages hotel properties all over the world. She went to work as Sales Manager of an IHG Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she worked the State Association Market, State Government Market and The Religious Market. Because of her Christian background and her love of Jesus she was able to make great relationships and booked huge religious conferences. She fell in love with the hospitality Industry and continued to work in that industry for 5 years.

Shirley retired 10 years ago, and in the past 6 years has worked part time for The Virginia Tourism Industry as a Travel Councilor in the Bristol, Virginia Welcome Center where on some days may have well over 600 visitors looking for help, directions, or trip planning in Virginia. Shirley uses this opportunity to help and pray with people and be a witness to the love of Jesus Christ.

Shirley was a member of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia for 40 years

She now lives in Bristol, Virginia near her son, his wife and 5 grandchildren all of whom live in the area.,