The Hope of Survivors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting victims of pastoral sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as providing educational and informational materials and seminars to pastors and churches of every denomination, worldwide. The Hope of Survivors is a registered California nonprofit corporation and has been authorized to operate in Illinois as a foreign corporation under the same name. To view a list of our services and conference outlines, click here. Professional memberships include: Outpost Centers International (OCI), Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). The Hope of Survivors is also a member of GuideStar.

The current Board of Directors consists of the following individuals (click on their names for more information):

Steve Nelson—President, CEO, Elder, Board Certified Biblical Counselor (BCBC) & Certified Belief Therapist (CBT)

Samantha Nelson—Vice-President, COO, Board Certified Biblical Counselor (BCBC) & Certified Belief Therapist (CBT)

Tom Lemon—Chairman of the Board; Pastor, President of the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Irma Murray—Director; Latino Division Representative

C.A. Murray—Director; 3ABN Producer

Rena Majors, R.N.—Director; Founder of A Door of Hope Ministries

Steven Grabiner—Director; V.P. of Outpost Centers International

Jennifer Jill Schwirzer—Director; Mental Health Counselor, Founder of Michael Ministries

James L. Marcum—Director; Cardiologist, Speaker & Director of Heartwise Ministries

Ray Hartwell—Director; President of the Pennsylvania Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Charles Burkeen—Director; Associate Ministerial Director of the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Martin Weber—Director; Communications Director for the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists & Editor of Outlook magazine

We greatly appreciate the services and support of our current Directors. We are also thankful to those who have served on the Board in the past. Thank you Curtis Hartman, Shelley & J.D. Quinn, Marvin Wray, Ralph Robertson, Neil Biloff, Robert Withrow and Doug Kilcher for all you’ve done, and for your ongoing prayers, encouragement and support of The Hope of Survivors. God bless you all!

The current Volunteer Staff consists of Steve and Samantha Nelson (biographies above) and the following individuals:

Peggy & Dave Mahrt—PR/Marketing

Coralie Roll—Australia Division Representative/Counselor

Arlagene Groves—Australia Division Counselor

Jill Morikone—Executive Assistant

Sandy Kirkham—Interdenominational Spokesperson

Shyleene Rosado—Latino Division Vice President/Counselor

Hephzibah Akunga—Kenya Division Representative/Counselor

You can also view our ministry brochure here. Thank you very much!