Head of the Board and Founder: Jesus Christ
Just as Jesus is the Head of the Body of Believers, He is also the Head of our Board of Directors.
Eph 1:22 And God placed all things under His [Jesus’] feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
Col 1:17-18 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
For full bio: Read the Bible!
Board of Directors
The ministry of Reasons for Hope* Jesus exists to equip Christians to grow in knowledge, live in hope, and share their faith in love and with confidence. Reasons for Hope* Jesus is a donor-supported 501c3 ministry, reaching millions worldwide with biblical truth and the gospel of saving grace.
Rebecca Rice
Chairman of the Board
Rebecca (Becky) is the founder and managing partner of RebeccaRice & Associates, LLC, a financial services company built upon Christian principles to direct debt retirement, wealth creation, asset management, and estate planning. Becky has a heart devoted to serving the Lord. As CEO of Reasons for Hope* Jesus, she shares her knowledge and wisdom to direct and grow the ministry’s outreach. Becky has three children, four grandchildren, four dogs, and two cats. She lives in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
Diane Carnevale Jones
Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
Diane is the former owner of Professional Marketing, a PR and marketing firm that represented a wide variety of clients, including eBay, Royal Doulton, Marie Osmond (doll company), Hospice of MI, Mel Trotter Ministries, Zondervan (Inspiro), Thomas Kinkade, and more. Today, as the owner of Carnevale Jones Group LLC, Diane provides counsel to companies and ministries, including strategic counsel and recommendations for fundraising and resource stewardship. Diane and her husband, Paul, have two adult children and live in Grand Rapids, MI.
Shari Abbott
President and Executive Director
Shari describes herself as a disciple of Jesus Christ, a wife to Steve, the mother of two adult daughters, the grandmother of three, and a biblical apologist. She holds a degree in psychology and business from Western Michigan University. Before being called into full-time ministry in 2011, Shari worked in bank management, sales, public relations, and marketing. As founder and president of Reasons for Hope* Jesus, she equips and encourages Christians to know Jesus better, to love Him more, and to share their faith.
Shari is the author of 12 books: Why the Butterfly? A Book About Rightly Remembering; Remember Me – A Course In Rightly Remembering; Who Said That? Got Questions? Reasons Books 1, 2, 3 & 4), Fun with Shuns (biblical words ending in -tion), How to Witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hear, See, Speak & Post No Evil, A Room with a View of Eternity (The Last Will and Testament of Jesus), and MISINTERPRETED (Misunderstood & Misapplied Bible Verse & Passages). Books are available at the Reasons for Hope*Jesus store; e-books on Amazon. Articles by Shari Abbott | Bio for Shari Abbott
Steve Abbott
Vice President
With extensive experience in sales, marketing, finance, and strategic planning, Steve contributes his time, knowledge, and wisdom to the ministry work of Reasons for Hope* Jesus. His business background, knowledge of God’s Word, and desire to help other Christians grow in faith, make him a valued advisor and a great blessing to the daily functioning of the ministry. Steve is the husband of Shari. They live in Cincinnati, OH, and enjoy work, travel, reading and teaching the Bible, attending Bible studies, and grandparenting.
Wade Wacker
Treasurer
As the owner of Wacker & Associates, Inc, a successful financial services practice, Wade uses his business experience along with a heart devoted to serving the Lord, to financially guide and direct the Reasons for Hope* Jesus ministry. Wade’s love for the Lord and commitment to growing and strengthening the body of Christ, led him into full-time ministry in January 2012. Prior to Wade’s work in the financial industry, He was a minor league ballplayer for the Minnesota Twins. Wade and his wife Stacey have three children and one grandchild and live in Jackson, MN.
Ministry Team
Shari Abbott
Apologist, Author, Contributing Writer
Articles by Shari Abbott | Short bio above; Full Bio for Shari Abbott
Don Johnston
Pastor and Contributing Writer
Don was raised in a Christian home on an Iowa farm. He is a graduate of Faith Baptist Bible College. He pastored in Iowa and Minnesota for 36 years and served as a hospice chaplain for 6 years. His time is now spent writing and guest preaching in area churches. In addition to ministry, he enjoys sports, reading, writing, exercise, travel, and his antique tractor and classic car. Don has four children and 12 grandchildren. Articles by Don Johnston
Alex McFarland
Apologist, Author, Contributing Writer – Ask Alex Online
Alex McFarland is a Christian apologist, author, evangelist, and speaker. He is a graduate of Liberty University, the co-host of Exploring the Word on American Family Radio, and the founder of Truth for a New Generation, conferences designed to equip both teens and adults to know what they believe, defend their faith, and share the gospel. Articles by Alex McFarland
Chuck Myer
Pastor and Contributing Writer
Chuck is the writer of Our Daily Bread devotions. With a degree in biblical studies from Liberty Bible Institute, a division of Liberty University, Pastor Chuck has served as a missionary, a pastor, and in various missions ministries. In the 1980s, Chuck and his family served as missionaries to the U.S. military based in Panama. From 1998-2006, Chuck was the pastor of Grace Bible Church in Osceola, IA, where he returned in 2015 to again serve as pastor to the congregation. He and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters and five grandchildren. Articles by Chuck Myer
Scott Hamlin
Bible Teacher and Contributing Writer
Scott has a passion for reading and studying the Word of God. As a long-time Bible teacher, he teaches verse-by-verse, equipping Christians to believe God and trust His Word. Articles by Scott Hamlin
Doris Homan
Contributing Writer
Doris has a passion for discipling. She is a Bible teacher, speaker, and author of The Christian Journey, Parts 1 & 2. Doris’s mission is to help Christians know the Word and apply it. Doris has a business management degree from the University of Cincinnati and was previously employed as an executive administrative assistant. She and her husband John live in Florida. They have three children and ten grandchildren. Articles by Doris Homan
Our team works to provide Christians with equipping, encouraging, and empowering biblical knowledge and the lost with the understanding of saving grace.
Get equipped with KNOWLEDGE! Be encouraged in HOPE! Live empowered by LOVE!