Our Ministry Teams
Explore the teams that make our ministry thrive — each one playing a unique part in serving and growing together.
Serving Together
Behind every part of Within His Heart Ministries are dedicated teams of women who pour into others with wisdom, prayer, and encouragement. Each team plays a vital role in guiding, mentoring, and equipping others to grow, creating a supportive community where kingdom living becomes a reality.
Teaching →
Health →
Worship →
Prayer →
Leaders →
Meet the Teaching Team
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Maureen Gerard-Bennett, PhD
Freedom Ministries | Mentoring 1 on 1
Maureen is a retired professor, researcher, and speaker in early childhood. Her doctorate in education and the neuroscience of infant and toddler brain development lead her into the field of trauma informed care. She is a certified TBRI practitioner from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. Maureen works to help others to understand the deep impact of trauma, abuse and loss on behavior, and to find hope and healing in Jesus. Maureen is a committed intercessor at the Rock Church where she leads the Freedom for Life Ministry and guides mentors in Mentoring 1 on 1. God has involved Maureen and her husband, David, in working alongside others in ministries that lead to recovery and freedom through a daily surrender to Christ. Maureen’s heart is in seeing women freed for life to become all that God has purposed for them.
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Allie Eppinette
Teaching | New Believers Class | Outreach
Allie encountered Christ unexpectedly as a college student in 2018, experiencing a miraculous transformation that set her free from addiction, depression, and darkness. Since then, she has served on various ministry teams and recently became a mother, passionately sharing the hope and freedom she found in Jesus. Her heart is for evangelism, apologetics, and seeing lives transformed, and she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, metalworking, exploring history, and marveling at God’s creation through her telescope.
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Chelsea Monk
Teaching | Healing From Addictions | Newsletter
Chelsea is a devoted mother and follower of Jesus who has walked through addiction, homelessness, and abuse—and emerged refined, restored, and redeemed. Her life, shaped by grace and resilience, now serves as a beacon of hope for others seeking healing and purpose beyond pain. As a leader in homeless ministry, she helps women uncover their true identity in Christ, guiding them to exchange the world’s labels for the freedom of His love.
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Shemalya King
Teaching
Shemalya loves the opportunity to teach because it allows her to help people transition from one place to another. She says it's the joy of a teacher to see "the light turned on" in a mind, and teaching truth to enable accurate transition is the goal! Shemalya is happy doing what God has called her to do, whether that's being a teaching pastor, a director, a mother, or simply loving people! Shemalya and her family have a fun tradition every Friday: Family Night. On family nights, they play games, watch movies, talk, and all sleep in the living room!
Meet the Health Team
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Michelle McAndrews
Wellness Warriors | Healing From Addictions
Since committing her life to the Lord in 2010, Michelle has been devoted to strengthening the body of Christ: spiritually, physically, and emotionally, through prayer, Scripture, wholesome God-made foods, and intentional and consistent exercise. Combining lived experience in addiction recovery with international accreditation and certification as a nutrition and fitness coach, she brings compassionate, faith-centered wisdom and evidence-informed nutrition and movement principles to help others find lasting freedom, renewed vitality, and clear purpose.
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Renee Crizer, PhD, RN, FNP
Wellness Warriors
Rooted in a deep faith in God that guides every aspect of her life and practice, Renee has always felt called to care for those who are suffering. Her journey in healthcare began early as she cared for her father through brain cancer and supported other family members during illness. These experiences shaped her compassion and led her to pursue nursing, earning her RN, then her PhD, and later a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
While her faith remains her highest priority, Renee also pursues a strong calling to teach. She is dedicated to educating nursing students and helping them integrate empathy, humanity, and purpose into their practice…just as her faith inspires her to do each day.
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Catherine Miller
Wellness Warriors | Art for Therapy
Meet the Worship Team
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Mia Crizer
Worship | Teen Bible Study
Mia is a passionate worship leader whose heart for God has burned brightly since childhood—and continues to grow with every season. She longs to know the heights, depths, and mysteries of His heart, and to help others experience the same transforming love. With a spirit eager to serve, she pours into those around her and looks forward to every way God will use her to glorify His name.
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Tiphani Croushorn
Worship
Tiphani is a devoted mother of three and passionate worship leader whose life is anchored in wholehearted obedience to God. With a deep conviction drawn from 1 Samuel 15—that to obey the Lord is better than sacrifice—she pours her energy into serving God and others through authentic worship and relational discipleship. Her heart burns to see believers first discover and rest in their true identity in Christ, freeing them to live as beloved sons and daughters rather than striving performers.
Through her experience in worship through music, Tiphani’s heart is to disciple worship leaders and everyday believers alike, guiding them across the bridge from old covenant into the fullness of the new covenant by following The Way of Jesus. She equips them to share the gospel naturally within their own spheres of influence, blending Spirit-led worship with practical discipleship that transforms the everyday places of life. Her work is marked by joy, clarity, and a relentless focus on intimacy with God that overflows into effective Kingdom impact.
Meet the Prayer Team
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Brittany Sierra
Outreach
Brittany Sierra encountered Jesus at 21, a moment that transformed her life forever. What began as a small seed of faith grew into a deep, daily friendship with God. Through His love, she learned compassion, gentleness, and how to honor her emotions without being led by them. Brittany’s life now reflects the grace, patience, and forgiveness that Jesus showed her, and her passion is to share that same love with others. She believes that “love covers a multitude of sins”—including her own—and delights in helping others discover that nothing can separate them from the love of God. Romans 8:38–39
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Melany Messinger
Prayer | Mentor of Mentors
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Marsha Eades
Prayer | Leader
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Meet the Leaders Team
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Gina Hielckert
Mentoring 1 on 1 | Freedom Ministries
is deeply rooted in her faith and passionate about helping women experience healing, hope, and restoration through Christ. After rededicating her life to Jesus in 2020, her calling to ministry grew with renewed purpose. She is currently pursuing a degree in behavioral health counseling at GCU, with a heart for supporting those affected by addiction and promoting mental health awareness. She serves through homeless outreach, one-on-one mentoring, and the Freedom for Life ministry at The Rock Church, walking alongside others with compassion and grace. Through Within His Heart Ministry, her desire is to create a safe space where women can heal, grow in faith, and step confidently into the life God has called them to live.
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Sherri Stender
Prayer
Sherri loves to connect with other women and build relationships. She believes that God is using her story of transformation to bring Hope and healing to those than feel broken or lost. Romans 8:28 says… “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.” She is passionate to see others live out their identity in Christ and walk in freedom. Her background includes facilitating and mentoring a 12 step program that helps others find healing and discover a New Life in Christ. Currently, she serves alongside convoy of hope as a lead volunteer for disaster services, enjoys mission trips, and serves in her local church with the welcome team.
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Shelley Marie Dill
Leader
Shelley came to faith in 2016 and has wholeheartedly devoted her life to Christ. Passionate about writing and worship music, she often shares her testimonies online to encourage and edify other women in their walks with God. In 2019, she was blessed to minister to women at the faith-based recovery meeting Set Free, witnessing God’s powerful transformation in their lives. A stay-at-home mother of three, Shelley treasures time with her family—especially cuddling on the couch for movies—and enjoys catching up on her favorite sitcoms.
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Amber Mendenhall
Leader
Amber is a proud mom and daughter who loves Jesus and is passionate about holistic health and healing—mind, body, and spirit. By God’s grace, she has been free from drugs and alcohol for eight years and has experienced a powerful personal transformation, including losing over 100 pounds through faith, discipline, and a love for movement. Today, she is committed to living with purpose, encouraging others, and growing in faith and wellness. She believes deeply in second chances, inner healing, and the life-changing power found in Christ Jesus.
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Megan Schmidlkofer
Art for Therapy
Over the years, Megan has embraced many different forms of art. Her favorites have been painting, glassblowing, and interior decorating. While art is her passion, it has also been her therapy and place of peace, with which God has blessed her.
In every season of her life—from the struggles of grief, infertility, and miscarriage to the complexities of adoption, parenting, and addictions—God has graciously and faithfully used art to knit her back together, piece by piece.
Her desire is to create a space where women can invite God into their brokenness, using art to achieve inner healing that sets them free and enables them to, in turn, pour into the lives of others, just as our Heavenly Father has poured into them.
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Erin Thomas
Faithful Hearts
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Meet the Production Team
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Nicole Engman
Director
Nicole studied Biblical Studies at North Central University and has faithfully served in ministry for many years across Alaska, Massachusetts, and Arizona. Her background includes prayer teams, homeless outreach, and marketplace ministry, where she shares the love of Christ through prayer, encouragement, and meeting people right where they are.
With a special heart for women, Nicole mentors and prays with them, helping them encounter the transforming love of Jesus and step confidently into their God-given calling. When she’s not serving in ministry, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their four adult children, their spouses, and her cherished grandbabies.
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Jessica Curran
Admin | Healing from Addictions | Freedom Ministries
Jessica lives with a passionate desire to serve and honor God in every area of her life, longing to one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” After surrendering her life to Jesus in 2017, she stepped into a deep calling to help women walk in freedom, purpose, and truth.
She serves on the Prayer Team at The Rock Church and as an intercessor with Freedom for Life, joyfully partnering with God through prayer and witnessing lives transformed by His power. Jessica’s heart is to make disciples who make disciples and to see women fully alive in their identity in Christ. She believes deeply in the power of prayer and the freedom found in Jesus.
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Joyce Amodeo
Admin | Prayer | Art for Therapy
Joyce is a devoted wife and mother of five whose journey of faith began later in life when she encountered the transforming love of Christ. Married to a retired Air Force veteran, she has called Sahuarita home since 2007, with a cherished season living in Korea from 2012 to 2015. Having served in choir, led Bible studies, and worked with children, her heart is to unite, encourage, and pray with women—sharing the same hope and compassion she’s found in Jesus. She also serves in homeless ministry, extending Christ’s love to those in need.
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Jerry Kibby
CFO | Treasurer
Jerry started following the Lord at the age of 8, but didn’t develop a true relationship with Jesus until after he was married. He married his wife, Wendy, in 1994, and they moved from Michigan to Arizona in 2005 with their 4 children. He worked in various financial roles within the manufacturing industry throughout his career. Jerry has served in numerous areas within the church over the years, but his true passion is teaching others God’s financial principles, helping them to develop a deep trust in God with their finances, and enabling them to have peace in this area of their life. He has taught middle school, high school, and college as well as several adult financial classes. He loves spending time with his wife, their kids, and grandchildren. He also enjoys triathlons. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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Suzanne Robinson
Events | Admin
Suzy has a deep passion for the Lord and a heart to walk closely with Him. After growing up in church and later spending years away from her faith, God lovingly called her back and captured her heart with His plans for her life. Since then, Suzy has been devoted to growing in her relationship with Christ and encouraging others in their own journeys of faith. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, organizing, and planning or going on trips.
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Ali Olof
Media
Ali has always had a deep passion for creativity, finding joy in expressing and sharing her love for the Lord through visual art. Blessed with a career in marketing, she uses her skills to serve the church body, blending her expertise with her heart for ministry. In her spare time, you’ll often find Ali enjoying moments with her son, designing with a tasty coffee in hand, or chatting with her husband about their latest favorite TV shows.
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Audrey Dunn-Lansman
Admin
Audrey serves as a consultant for faith-based nonprofits, helping ministries strengthen their impact through effective fundraising and medical software solutions for pregnancy centers as they care for women facing unplanned pregnancies, equipping teams with tools that enable both excellence and compassion. Having lived in Missouri, California, and now Arizona, Audrey brings a broad perspective and a heart for serving diverse communities. Above all, she is deeply committed to seeing women discover their true identity in Christ and experience hope, healing, and purpose.
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Crystal Holroyd
Admin | Blog
Crystal has been called to minister to and guide women toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. Since 2012, she has faithfully pursued this calling, walking in the leading of the Holy Spirit to pray, prophesy, and reveal the immeasurable love of our Heavenly Father. Crystal enjoys cherishing time with her husband, four daughters, and two grandchildren, carrying the same love and devotion into her family life.