Speaker Bios

For the last four years, Glendie has served as the Executive Director of Life Services and MyChoice Clinics. Her background as a teacher and athletic trainer, her 16 years in ministry as a pastor at North Church, and her personal story have given her the opportunity to witness and be a part of the transformation in the lives of those she serves at Life Services.

Laurel Bahr is an author, speaker, and catalytic leader.  A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, with 17 years experience as an RN, and 17 years in Pastoral Ministry, Laurel is uniquely qualified to help others who have experienced emotional trauma make progress and heal.  Currently, Laurel is the Director of Training and Leadership Development at Sexually Related Trauma Services. 

 Caleb and Sarah are the Co-Founders of HRC Ministries and the Altmeyer Evangelistic Association in Spokane, WA. Caleb is also the host of the Transform Spokane Show and Chaplain for the Spokane Shock. He has the heart of an Evangelist and his life mission is to encourage and help the body of Christ reach the world for Jesus. Sarah has a Masters degree in Administrative Leadership and a Bachelors degree in Ministry. She wrote the strategic plan for what is now the Restoration Program for Female Survivors of Sex Trafficking. 

Wil's passion is to give people an opportunity to improve their lives through mental health counseling. Previously, Wil was the Director of Development at the Union Gospel Mission. He’s a retired Command Master Chief in the US Navy after 21 years. 

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Wil has a BA in Historical Studies from Chimanade University and a MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. He has taken post-graduate course work in leadership theory, management practices, and organizational development and actively consults with many non-profit organizations on fundraising, leadership development and strategic planning.

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Fred and Kelsey Amusavi couldn’t be more different. Fred from Kenya, Kelsey from Spokane, together they bring a variety of perspectives that help them have greater influence. 5 years ago, they opened the first elderly care home with their background in caregiving & Leadership and since then have grown to 3 locations and a staff of 18. Both Kelsey and Fred, in 2019 became John Maxwell Leadership trainers with the goal to help others with their personal and professional growth. They work together to help others succeed and have more meaningful impact with those they lead.

Ron Hauenstein is the Founder and CEO of the Spokane Fatherhood Initiative, a faith-based non-profit founded on the principle that fatherlessness is the root cause of nearly all of society’s problems.

His passion for the fatherless was birthed in his experience as a volunteer since 2008 at the Union Gospel Mission’s Crisis Shelter for Women and Children. As Ron ministered to moms and kids, he witnessed the family devastation that comes from fatherlessness.

Through prayer and conversations, he eventually drew together a group of individuals who became a working committee that led to the formation of SpoFI.

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In 2013 Perry Underwood founded the organization that today is known as SRT Services.  Since that time, he has served as the organization’s Executive Director.  Perry is passionate about seeing lives transformed and considers it a great honor to be involved in the healing of so many women and men. Fun fact, Perry has a chicken farm and regularly keeps the staff ​​​​​​​stocked with eggs. 

Kenji Nitta grew up in the Pacific Northwest in a non-Christian home. Through high school, he was a practicing Zen Buddhist and atheist.  He found Jesus in his early twenties and was discipled at Timberview  Christian Fellowship.  Shortly after, he was sent from Timberview to plant churches. Pastor Kenji holds an undergraduate from George Fox University in Social and Behavioral Studies.  His graduate degree is in Theology and Leadership from Gonzaga University.  His primary spiritual gifts are preaching, evangelism, and leadership.

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Sandra holds a BSN from Gonzaga University and a Diploma in Nursing from Mount Carmel School of Nursing. Her knowledge of normal growth and development, disease and pharmacology, and their effects upon the human spirit give her a unique perspective for teaching and counseling.  She has been an administrative ministry consultant and mentor for ministries in over 9 countries and has twenty years of nursing experience. Sandra has a specialty in consulting with persons who have suffered great trauma with resultant Dissociative Disorders.  Sandra was married for 25 years and enjoys the outdoors and music with her children, family, and friends.

Mark Morton was born on the sunny shores of Santa Monica, California. He eventually traveled inland to attend UCLA where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in surfing of course. Cowabunga dude! Mark and his beautiful wife Josephine have three daughters, Meraza, Patricia, and Jalina. As a family, they enjoy camping, hiking, riding bikes, and eat copious amounts of pizza. Mark loves listening to his favorite band, Cap’n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters, old movies from the 1950s, and watching his beloved Lakers. When not on tour as the drummer for the Tower of Power, Mark works at Life Services as the Fatherhood Director, Maternity House Dad, and has a reoccurring role as the MyChoice Clinic Maintenance guy.

Outside of his day job, he serves on the board of directors for Life Services of Spokane and DISH Disability Advocates Network.  He holds a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a master's in I/O Psychology. 

His experiences at work, as a Domestic Violence Counselor and as a foster parent introduced him to many that have endured significant trauma. While the impact of trauma exposure is often unseen, he is becoming increasingly aware of the long-term physical and emotional toll it can have. He is passionate about helping leaders understand the impacts of past trauma and building a work culture that is trauma-informed.   

Julie Stevens retired after 34 years as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.  She was certified as a Sex Therapist through the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapist and later the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists.  She has extensive training in EFT or Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and has conducted several Hold Me Tight (Created for Connection) intensive marriage workshops. She is passionate about helping couples heal from sexual brokenness that is causing isolation, hurt and loneliness.  In her retirement she enjoys line dancing, Zumba and is a member of the Red Hot Mamas!!

Michelina had already engaged in anti-trafficking work internationally when she connected with Jonah Project in 2017. She has worked with vulnerable people around the world including in the Philippines, Greece, and Nepal. A Whitworth University graduate, she brings a tremendous amount of energy, compassion and grace to the Jonah Project team. As a direct Advocate and case manager, she has provided hands-on care for clients including meeting basic needs, emotional support, and hope for a healthier life all while helping them navigate their individual path to healing.  

Nathaniel Arroyo is a poet, photographer, and coffee aficionado located in Spokane, Washington. Being from Chicago, IL, he has a passion for the Church’s engagement with culture through mediums of art, community, and rich theology. He attended Moody Bible Institute – Spokane and studied Biblical Exposition. He and his wife, Sarah, are newly-parents to a beautiful baby girl, Psalm Eloise Arroyo. 

Amy Ebat has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 10 years, giving her the opportunity to start walking her healing journey from childhood Sexual abuse. This time of healing has helped Amy become more equipped to walk with others through their own journeys. For the past 2 years, Amy has facilitated SAVAnon groups, in which she has helped lead others in taking steps to heal from past trauma. She loves people and believes restoration of the heart is key to living as you were created to be. Currently, Amy is the Director of SAVAnon at Sexually Related Trauma Services. She leads a dedicated team of volunteers in facilitating healing groups across the United States and around the world. Amy has a passion for seeing other embark on their healing and learn to live fully.

Rachel Bren is a wife, mom, and recovering people pleaser. She is happily married and has two children. Rachel was a stay-at-home mom for six and a half years and loves to bake. Rachel has a bachelor’s in Human Resource Management and has always been fascinated with understanding human behavior. As a survivor of sexual abuse and assault, Rachel has been on her own journey towards wholeness for the past 11 years and has spent the past two years facilitating healing groups for others who have shared a similar story. She currently works for Sexually Related Trauma Services as the Development Director. She helps create awareness regarding the emotional harm done by sexual abuse while promoting a pathway to healing. 

SexualityUnmasked was founded in 1990 when Jim and Lisa Anderson took a giant step of faith and launched Lifeline Ministries, mobilizing churches to respond to God’s heart concerning the unborn. Lifeline, now SexualityUnmasked, quickly evolved into a ministry not only focused on the unborn, but one of healing, deliverance, and restoration from the effects of abortion, abuse, adultery, immorality, pornography, rape, sexual confusion, and sex trafficking. Jim has authored Unmasked: Exposing the Cultural Sexual Assault and Heart of a Woman. In recent years the ministry has focused on training leaders to carry the message into their sphere of influence. Jim and Lisa have been married 42 years and have 8 children and an ever increasing number of grandchildren. Their ministry is based in Spokane, WA.

Sharon grew up among the wheat fields of Whitman County, Washington, and could whip any 8th grader in arm wrestling.  Graduating from WSU in Social Work, she spent many years in various roles from teaching 5th-6th grade, to house parenting, to directing day care.  She also completed her MSW at EWU.  Family is one of her passions!  Sharon has a loving husband of 40+ years, 2 grown children, and 3 grands. Gardening, learning new things such as building a solar array, and camping are her favorite ways to unwind. 

Kim Heidinger currently serves as the Director of Prayer Ministry at Summit Church in Spokane, Wa. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a B.S. in Biblical Studies, and Whitworth University with an MA in Theology. She previously spent 5 years as a recovery counselor at Union Gospel Mission-Anna Ogden Hall, where she still continues to serve and encourage others to live into their true identity in Christ. She has over 25yrs. Experience serving the Spokane community alongside her husband, Mark. Kim loves spending her free time with her four grown children and two grandchildren.

Melissa Pemberton has 17 years of experience with low-income, high-risk families within the realm of Child Welfare and has held a variety of roles from a Parent/Child Visitation Supervisor, to an Adoptions Social Worker for the state of Washington to a private agency Foster Home Licensor.  She currently serves as the Executive Director of A Child’s Hope Spokane, a non-profit foster and adoption agency in Spokane. She has received training on attachment, relationships, self-worth and trauma informed care including her most recent training as a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner. In addition, Melissa volunteered for four years with Teen MOPS, a support group for teenage mothers in the Spokane area. Melissa and her husband Jon have three daughters and a son and live in Cheney, WA.

Emily started as a volunteer at Life Services and is now the Director of Volunteer Development.  Having come through on the other side of addiction and devastating loss, Emily knows from experience what it feels like at the bottom of the pit.  Grateful for every day, Emily is passionate about recovery, family, and inspiring others in their own journey of healing. She spends her time volunteering at Project i.d and Anna Ogden Hall and loves hiking and adventuring with friends.

Joanna Hyatt is an author, international speaker, and media personality. She is currently writing and hosting the “Dilemma Series” for Right Now Media and Chi Rho Films.

From 2016-2021, Joanna played a key role at Live Action. 

Beginning as the Field Word Director, strategizing and overseeing Live Action's undercover investigations, she was promoted to Director of Strategic Partnerships, where she headed up the major gifts department, built relationships with outside influencers, and spoke publicly at conferences and in the media. 

Previously, Joanna Hyatt was the Director of non-profit teen pregnancy and STD prevention program based out of Los Angeles. She is the author of The Sex Talk: A Survival Guide for Parents and has been featured in numerous documentaries and as a guest commentator for both radio and television.

Cooper Jensen is an associate pastor at Cheney Faith Center with the mission to help people in Cheney and the West Plains to know Jesus and live for Him daily. Cooper has been a part of worship bands and conferences for over 15 years. Whether he is leading or playing drums, Cooper loves to collaborate with other people to help provide an environment of response to the good news of Jesus. Cooper is married to his wife Whitney and they have 2 boys, Theo (4yrs) and Oliver (2yrs).