Bev May, Founder and Executive Director
Bev has 30 years of experience in church planting, leadership and administration – all alongside her husband, Kim. She has been involved in Haiti Missions hands-on travel, ministry, and leadership since 2009, when her heart was greatly impacted for the first time by Haiti, and specifically by the most vulnerable children of Haiti. Since 2011, Bev has developed strong relationships with leaders of Source de la Grace churches and ministries, and with many of the rescued street children that they minister to on a daily basis. Her desire is that these children, and the children of the surrounding community, not only feel loved, are educated and cared for, but that they also develop a lasting relationship with the Lord, follow Him well, and learn to live their lives in ways that honor Him and serve others.
Jewel Callahan, Board President
Jewel has a professional background in business, finance and banking. She started and led a team for American Club Association, was a branch manager for a Savings and Loan, and is currently a loan officer. She was also president for several years of a non-profit educational coop and has experience in tax preparation, administrative work, and some fundraising. Jewel had a life-changing experience when she traveled to Haiti in 2011 after the earthquake and has been involved ever since as a child sponsor. She has had leadership roles in other ministries including Oaks of Righteousness, worship and prayer ministry, and wants to use her experience, drive, and gifting to further the mission of Haiti Joy Hope.
Brenda Whitlock, Board Secretary
Brenda has over 25 years experience working in the disability field by helping to empower individuals and giving them tools for increased quality of life. Most of those years have included event planning and assistive technology training, both of which she uses to further the Haiti Joy Hope mission. In addition, Brenda is passionate about missions and worship. She currently plays keyboard on the worship team at First Baptist Church of Odessa, Missouri. She has twelve years experience in youth ministry, coordinating girls’ small groups and being an adult sponsor on mission trips. Her most life-changing experiences were being a part of mission trips to Haiti, Nicaragua, and Brazil.
April Berry, Board Member
April has a servant’s heart that is evident both in her professional and personal life. Her professional background has included owning a daycare for 10 years, working in a bakery, serving as a floral and wedding coordinator. After 9-11, April decided to go back to school to change careers and become a nurse where she has served as a Nurse Manager in Home Health and Hospice, and currently a Patient Care Manager in Oncology at a prominent hospital in Kansas City Mo. April’s personal life has shown numerous areas of serving the church and community with 15 years in youth ministry alongside her husband, Clay. She has led Bible study and discipleship groups, leadership teams for a mom’s group and women’s ministry; she has led several youth discipleship groups/trips, and has gone on mission trips to Chicago, Kentucky, China, and Haiti. April currently is serving on a prayer team and enjoys worship, quilting, gardening, and playing guitar. Serving and loving people are at the heart of the time, energy and giftings shared with Haiti Joy Hope.
Clay Berry, Board Treasurer
Clay is a demonstrated leader in nonprofit management. He has served people with disabilities in Missouri, Kansas, throughout the Midwest and in New York, for over 30 years. He has been a leader in the employment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. He has been involved in concept development, implementation, fundraising, and the execution of nationally recognized disability programs. Clay has been actively involved in local churches in St. Louis and Kansas City. He has over 15 years experience in youth ministry leadership, coordinating small groups, large gatherings, and being an adult sponsor on mission trips. He personally has completed mission work in various US states, Mexico, Guatemala and Africa. These experiences have helped lead him to Haiti Joy Hope and uniquely positioned him to help further our mission.