Meet Our Team

Jodi Lewis and her husband Jamie are the proud parents of grown children through adoption. Their adoption journey and realization for the potential of the local church ignited a passion that resulted in her giving up her career as a registered nurse in 2004. Lewis founded and developed a multi-faceted Wesleyan church ministry in Michigan which focuses on awareness, care and support of orphans and vulnerable children. She was hired to lead the revisioned Hephzibah62:4 in March of 2019.

“I have witnessed how inspired, available people doing hands-on work through local churches are powerful instruments of transformation in the lives of vulnerable children. I am excited to continue to steward the legacy of Hephzibah as we equip Wesleyan churches to multiply the mission in communities throughout North America!”

Anika Ojeda was born in Germany and moved to the United States with her family as a child in 1999. She has always been passionate about serving God and people, and after High School she moved to Chile to work with missionaries at an orphanage. Through this experience she learned that the most effective ministry unit is the local church and that the local church often isn’t equipped to serve vulnerable children. She studied at Hillsong International Leadership College in Australia and graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Ministry in 2014. Through the twists and turns of life, God has led Anika to Hephzibah62:4 and she was hired as the Administrative Assistant in November 2020.

“I could not be more thrilled to use the passion and experience God has given me to help equip local churches across North America to more effectively serve vulnerable children and families!”

Anita Eastlack currently serves as the Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship of the Northeast District of The Wesleyan Church, and the Lead Pastor of CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA. She was blessed to grow up in a family with foster and adopted siblings. She and her husband, Karl, have the joy of being parents of both adopted and biological children. Through Anita’s 35+ years of local, district and denominational leadership, she has personally witnessed the transformational power when discipleship includes the holistic approach of caring for the least of these.

“I am awed by over a century of impact that Hephzibah has had, and I am enthusiastic about the Hephzibah62:4 mission to equip and mobilize Wesleyan churches to transform the lives of vulnerable children.”

Janelle Vernon is executive director of the Division of Communication and Administration at The Wesleyan Church. Additional responsibilities include serving as General Secretary and Wesleyan Publishing House publisher. Vernon held the title of Indiana Wesleyan University vice president for Residential Enrollment and Marketing before her 2016 General Conference election. Her career spans private industry, state government and Christian higher education.

“Helping The Wesleyan Church expand its reach by caring for vulnerable children and their families across North America is an honor and privilege.”

Angel Metzger resides in South Dakota and is the Compassion Director at Ransom Church. She says attending Ransom has transformed her life. She knows God has called her away from being a “convenient” Christian into one that’s in the trenches. Helping to launch and now lead the Family Preservation ministry at Ransom has forever changed her – where she has been asked to be obedient to this call in a very tangible way by surrounding families in crisis with a caring, compassionate community.

“I know ‘love your neighbor’ will have a whole new meaning as you look into the eyes of vulnerable children and open your hearts and homes to have the privilege of loving on them!”

Arlynn Ellis is the founder of Acts of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the least served. She worked as a Director of Family Wellness and Facilities Expansion for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, VP of Operations at SA Youth. She has provided support to several nonprofits and enjoys leading community impact efforts. Arlynn holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration and Marketing, a Master’s in Management, a Master’s in Business Administration and is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church.

“I am honored to be a part of the board of Hephzibah62:4. I believe that God is opening new doors of Hope for children throughout the United States and the many areas that the Wesleyan Church serves. Glory to God! Gloria a Dios!”

David Babb has enjoyed his role as a husband, a father, and grandfather. His career has focused on public school education, counseling, and psychology, and working as a therapist in a private practice for more than 35 years. David says it has been his privilege to serve The Wesleyan Church in several leadership roles and various ministries within the local church, the district, and the General Board. He has been blessed to participate in ministries for families with children/young adults who have autism at Bethany Wesleyan Church in Allentown, PA.

“I am thrilled and honored to serve on the Hephzibah62:4 Board with team members who are passionate about providing leadership for ministries within the local church, that will impact and transform the lives of vulnerable children.”

Darrell Williams is the Senior Pastor and founder of the Core Church International in Charlotte, NC. He is always engaged in the sensitive matters of his community by providing resources to clothe and feed families, promote reading proficiency, and unite community institutions. His vision is to become an effective biblical neighbor to a one-block radius, where God has blessed him to serve about 10,000 families. His goal is to build and disciple individuals to have a heart for the body of Christ and a passion for the lost. Pastor Williams stands firmly by his idea that the church has everything it needs to teach people to be the heroes of their own story through Jesus Christ and unity in the community.

“It is my humble pleasure to be able to serve with Hephzibah62:4, to help engage ministries to serve the vulnerable in the area God has graced them.”

Kimberly Gladden is the Director of Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church. She graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business management, and from Colgate Rochester Divinity School with a Master of Divinity degree. Gladden has a heart of service and leads and supports humanitarian projects around the globe. Church planter, song writer, university lecturer, passion for the creative arts – she has a myriad of interests.

“I look forward to how the love and mercy of Jesus will spread even further abroad as we stand on the shoulders of those who gave their hearts and lives for the Hephzibah ministry.”

Ed Love is currently the Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church. Ed has planted two multiplying churches, daughtered multiple church plants, developed a church planting network, and has provided coaching, training, and resources for church planters. Ed also teaches church multiplication related courses at Wesley Seminary and Asbury Seminary. He received his M.DIV. from Asbury Theological Seminary and obtained his D.MIN. from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Ed is the author of Revive, Pioneers, Fear Not, Reclaiming Hope, Turn, and many other church multiplication resources. Ed and his wife Emily reside in Muncie, IN with their three spunky kids, Jennah, Josiah, and Micah.

“It is a great joy to be a part of a ministry that exists to bring the hope and presence of Jesus into the lives of vulnerable children all across North America and beyond!”