Hope Family Care is run by a community of individuals who have experienced grief and loss first hand. They give of their time, energy, resources, and support because they believe in the mission and importance of bringing hope and healing amidst loss. Please take the time to meet our incredible team!
Jeff Rollins was born in Alabama, but grew up living in Venezuela and attended boarding school in Quito, Ecuador. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in International Relations from Wheaton College (IL) and his master of arts in Secondary Education from National University in San Diego, CA. He currently lives in Spring, Texas.
Jeff and his wife, Mackenzie, have worked together actively to walk with people through tough times, first as a youth pastor, missionaries, and now through Hope Family Care. He has been in pastoral care for almost 15 years. Together, they have always ministered as a family, allowing their boys and now daughter to help bring joy into the lives of those they walk with.
The loss of their daughter Zoe eventually became the catalyst that started Hope Family Care. Their desire is to bring Hope and Healing amidst the tragedy of losing a child. He also serves on the Board of Directors.
‘The thing that I love most about HFC is the opportunity to walk with other families who are navigating their grief journey. There is something special about being able to meet a family for the first time and immediately you both sense that there is a deep connection and understanding. It helps you feel a sense of community, like someone who finally understands what you are walking through. You are finally not alone in your grief.’
Mackenzie Rollins was born in Ohio, and graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (IL) with Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and in Spanish. She then completed her Master of Arts in Reading Education Specialist from San Diego State University (CA).
Mackenzie has taught in both public and private schools for over 11 years, while ministering alongside her husband Jeff. They have four children- Jayden, Jace, Zoe, and Nora. Mackenzie and her family spent time serving as missionaries in Ecuador training in discipleship and volunteering at a lay counseling center. She loves traveling, cooking, working with children, and is a gifted teacher.
After losing her daughter Zoe, she began to have many opportunities to walk with other women through their own loss. Mackenzie became passionate about helping others find purpose in their pain and hope in their darkest days. As difficult as it is to hear others’ heartbreaking stories of loss, the opportunity to sit with them and encourage their hearts brings her so much joy.
'My favorite part of being apart of Hope Family Care is getting to know so many incredible families on such a personal level; and the friendships that come out of that bond. With the common thread as deep as child loss, our relationships begins on such a deep level that after a few hours, you feel like you've know someone for years. Leaving retreats and ending Hope Unshakeable groups are so bittersweet to me because of the deep connections we've made. However, I've been comforted by the fact that those are often just the beginnings of some amazing friendships that will continue to teach and challenge me for years to come.'
Lindsay Miller
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lindsay Miller grew up in Southern California and attended college in Texas where she graduated from Texas A&M-Commerce with a bachelor's degree in Psychology.
She currently lives in Spring, Texas with her husband and two boys, Michael and Cole. She is a high school English teacher and Instructional Coach in The Woodlands, Texas.
Lindsay is married to Trent Miller who is the Athletic Coordinator/Head Football coach in Spring, and when she's not working, she loves being a mom to her boys, a coach's wife, and reading.
After the loss of their daughter, Sadie, Lindsay has used her pain to helping other mothers who are on the road to child loss. Lindsay believes it's important for others to see God's goodness in the darkness.
'My favorite thing about HFC is the community & support they offer as you walk this journey of child loss. To me, the physicality of community & support come in the package of the Hope Bags we send out! It lets the family know that no matter where they live, there’s a community wanting to walk and comfort them through their loss.’
Larry Allbritton
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry’s personal testimony is “yet He walked with me.” Receiving Christ at the age of 17, he praises God’s obvious faithfulness throughout his life.
He and his wife Roberta live in the Woodlands, Texas where Larry serves as Pastor at Large at Woodsedge Community Church. Larry also serves on many boards both in ministry and in the secular world. Larry holds degrees from many educational institutions, including a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Languages from Arlington Baptist College.
Larry states, “God has blessed me with a mind for business, organization, and administration. I consistently pray that the people I interact with in the world of business and ministry see Christ though me."
Jeremy Riggs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeremy Riggs was born and raised in Bardstown, KY. He graduated from Asbury University in Wilmore, KY with a Bachelor in Communication specializing in Video Production.
Jeremy still resides in Bardstown where he is the Executive Pastor at Faith Worship Center. Jeremy, his wife Tiffany, and their two children Makina, and Kasen transitioned to the executive Pastor role after Jeremy’s father stepped down after 25 years in ministry.
Jeremy is also the Park Manager to My Old Kentucky Home State Park, which is the most historical park in all of Kentucky. He serves as a Board of Director to the Bardstown Nelson County Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair to Taste and See Ministries, and is recognized as a pilar in his community.
Jeremy spent 20 plus years in the TV Production and Advertising business working for major networks, and producing his own content. This specialty took him and his family to Cuenca, Ecuador to work with a TV Ministry called Unsion. This is where the Riggs family and the Rollins family met and there was an immediate bond. Jeremy, his wife Tiffany, and their church have been supporters of Hope Family Care since the beginning. We believe greatly in this ministry and have seen first hand the wonderful impact that HFC has on individuals.
Leah Baty
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leah grew up in Georgia. After losing her father suddenly at a young age, she felt God calling her into a lifetime of ministry. She earned two Bachelor degrees in Biblical Education and Theology. She is a licensed minister and has served as a career missionary to Ecuador with the Assemblies of God, since 2011.
Leah also served as the managing director of Unsion Plus, the counseling, trauma, and outreach program of Unsion Television in Cuenca, Ecuador from 2016-2021.
Through her personal testimony, Leah founded the April Project in 2014. April, is the name of her mother that passed away unexpectedly, two weeks before arriving in Ecuador. For years, her mother battled addiction until she surrendered her life to Jesus. The freedom and transformation April experienced, is now a story that is helping others find healing and hope, through this restorative discipleship program.
During the pandemic, she met the her husband Michael who has been working with Convoy of Hope since 2014. Together they have joined as one to share the Hope of Jesus Christ around the world. They currently reside as missionaries in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Leah is committed to helping others navigate grief. She has seen the faithfulness of God in every loss. She believes that there is no pain that God cannot redeem for His purpose. She loves serving others, adventures with her husband, COFFEE, twizzlers, and her little dog Moe.
Maria Jose was born in Cuenca, Ecuador. She studied Business Administration for three years, but her passion was in marketing and advertising, so she decided to create a business and work in marketing and customer service for the past twelve years.
Maria and her husband Cristian live in Cuenca, Ecuador. They had their first baby in July 2020 and now both work from home for two nonprofit organizations.
Maria started as a volunteer doing some translations, social media management, and coordinating children's activities at our retreats. In 2022 she became part of our team as Director of Spanish Ministries. After finding hope and healing for her heart, and for her family, it has become part of her desire for Spanish-speaking people, to obtain resources for grief support and healing. "There is a big need without an opportunity to process and heal their grieving hearts. I want more Spanish-speaking countries to have the opportunity to acquire help in their hearts language".
Maria's mother lost two baby boys during pregnancy before Maria was born, but then she also lost Maria's twin brother in an accident after they were born. During the last five years, she has spent time walking through the healing of losing her twin; something she didn't realize needed to happen when she was a child. She has learned a lot about herself and grief within the family and has the desire to help others on their grief journeys as well. She has experienced how important it is to have someone to talk to as you process loss and grief.
Cristian Rincón
Videographer & graphic designer
Cristian was born in Bogota, Colombia. He moved to Cuenca, Ecuador where he studied and learned about photography, videography, and graphic design. He married Maria Jose and now they live in Cuenca with their first son, Guillermo.
Cristian's father passed away from cancer during the time he moved to Ecuador. His story has impacted many young people and his heart has been to bring healing to his life and to his grieving family.
When we founded HFC, Cristian started as a volunteer, all the designs and graphic material were created by him, and since 2020 he works as a videographer and graphic designer for the organization. Cristian has a creative gift and transmits his heart in everything he does, always with love, excellence, and humility.
"Every story is important to God, and one of my passions is to be able to tell stories and for people to be restored and inspired through each one of them. I love what I do and I want everything to glorify the one who adopted me and saved me."
Melissa grew up in Minnesota and attended college at St. Scholastica (MN), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nursing. While at Saint Scholastica, she met her future husband, Robert. They have four children; Isla, Liam, Ellie and Elijah, and live in Lino Lakes, MN.
Raising a family and her work as a nurse keep her pretty busy, but when she gets a moment, she loves being outdoors, cooking, gardening, and crafting.
The Jackson family first got connected to Hope Family Care through a Hope Bag they received after their daughter Isla went to heaven. Since then, God has given them the opportunity through this ministry to walk alongside other families grieving the loss of a child.
‘We are so grateful for the resources HFC has developed. Our hope is that these same resources, as well as the community of support will continue to reach other families as well. The gift of coming alongside parents has kept our hearts and minds kingdom-focused and has been healing in our grief journey. ‘
Aaryn was born in Southern California but relocated to Atlanta, GA for high school. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors in Business Management and Marketing. After serving overseas in South Africa and working in the marketplace, Aaryn returned to school for her Masters in Occupational Therapy, where she worked both in patient care with adults and leadership for 8 years.
Aaryn currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband, Todd. They have two children, Micah and Emmy, and a daughter on the way in Spring of 2024. Through God’s provision, Aaryn recently left the therapy world and now works as the Development Director for a local Christian pregnancy center. In her spare time, Aaryn loves to plan the family’s next travel adventure, play with her son, and spend time outside.
The Marquardt family was introduced to Hope Family Care after the unexpected loss of their daughter, Emmy, in May of 2022. Aaryn and Todd participated in an online Hope Unshakeable group and with Micah, they attended a Hope Family Care Retreat. Through God’s mercy and kindness, Aaryn and her family have become Hope Unshakeable Online group leaders and retreat staff.
“Hope Family Care has been a breath of fresh air and a sweet mercy drop from the Lord to our shattered hearts after the loss of Emmy. We are humbled and honored that God isn't wasting our pain but using our story, as He provides comfort, hope, support, and healing to families on their grief journey. Praise God we don't have to do this alone!”
Hope Unshakeable Team
