Steve Freeburne

Steve has been involved in church planting, development, teaching, and preaching for over 35 years. After retiring from Dow Corning Corporation as the Executive Director of Science and Technology for the Core Products business board Steve became a full-time pastor with oversight of missions, counseling, small groups, finance and leadership development. In 2008 Steve was instrumental in the establishment of Ambassadors of Grace International, a sending agency focused on showing the love of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups.  He is the founder of the 15:20 Coalition, a church planting ministry in unreached areas, and serves as President and CEO. He is a Biblical Soul Care Certified Provider (BSCP) and trainer.  He and his wife Bobbi live in Union, KY. They have three children and six grandchildren.

Shari Abbott

Shari is the executive director and founder of Reasons for Hope* Jesus, as well as a Christian apologist and author.  She describes herself as a disciple of Jesus Christ, a wife to Steve and the mother of two adult daughters. She holds a degree in psychology and business from Western Michigan University. Prior to being called into ministry, Shari’s work experience included bank management, sales, public relations, and marketing.  Since 2008 she has been using her business experience and the gifts that God has given her to share the good news of hope in Jesus Christ.  As an avid Bible reader and teacher, Shari enjoys equipping and encouraging Christians to know Jesus better, to love Him more and to share their faith.  Shari is the author of Why the Butterfly? A Book About Rightly Remembering, Remember Me – A Course In Rightly Remembering, Who Said That? Common everyday sayings…where do they come from?   Got Questions? We have Reasons for Hope (Reasons Books 1, 2 & 3), Fun with Shuns (biblical words ending in -tion) and How to Witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Shari and her husband Steve live in Cincinnati, OH.

Karen Forgus

Sr. Vice President of Business Operations, Cincinnati Reds

Karen has served as Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the Reds, Cincinnati’s Major League Baseball franchise, since October 2008. After being with Reds-On-Radio for seventeen years Karen joined the Reds in December 2006 as VP of public affairs and later was named VP of communications and marketing. As SVP of Business Operations, Karen directs marketing and communications, social and digital media strategy, and is involved with promotional events, broadcasting, ticket sales, corporate sponsorship sales, community relations, diversity initiatives, and in-game entertainment. In addition, Karen has worked as a freelance speech writer, media buyer, and art director for a number of corporations and nonprofits. Prior to joining the Reds, she was an integral part of a church plant in Cincinnati and served on staff as the producer of the Sunday morning services. 

Diane Carnevale Jones

Owner, Carnevale Jones Group LLC

Diane is the former owner of Professional Marketing, an award-winning PR and marketing firm that represented a wide variety of clients, including eBay, Marie Osmond (doll company), Hospice of MI, Mel Trotter Ministries, Zondervan (Inspiro), Thomas Kinkade and more.  Professional Marketing offered trade and national PR, eventing, strategic planning, loyalty marketing,product launches and placements in print and electronic media, movies and television. Diane served as co-host on a Lifetime Channel collectibles program and as executive director of two trade organizations.  Today, as the owner of Carnevale Jones Group LLC (Grand Rapids, MI), Diane provides counsel to companies seeking to enter new vertical markets or category niches. With a heart for the elderly and end-of-life care, Diane also consults with religious and charitable organizations, providing strategic counsel and recommendations for fundraising and resource stewardship. 

Volunteers

We appreciate all those who give so generously of their time and talents to the ministry of Reasons for Hope* Jesus.  Thank you for all you do to help us spread the gospel message of saving grace and to strengthen and equip Christians to know what they believe, to live for Jesus, to stand strong anchored in Him and to share His love with others.

Contributors

We cannot begin to name all the people who contribute to Reasons for Hope* Jesus in various ways.  You know who you are and we appreciate you.  We thank you for your prayers, your financial support and for the many emails we get with information about the kingdom, our faith, the world, breaking news stories, etc.  While we cannot respond to each one, we want to express our thanks for communicating with us. We cannot be everywhere, or read everything. Therefore, we appreciate your taking the time to email and inform us with relevant information. Please continue to send information of interest to hope@reasonsforhopejesus.com