Leadership

Question 1

More About Lane

Answer

My wife Jennifer, our four kids, and I reside in Wells county. I am the director and founder of Renovate Counseling Services, a private practice mental health counseling agency with several offices throughout Indiana. I also serve as the assistant pastor at Sonlight Wesleyan Church in Bluffton. My family and I are passionate about helping people in need and enjoy opportunities to serve with and for a variety of local, as well as international, people-focused and Gospel-centered non-profits. We further enjoy the outdoors, staying active, and spending time together as a family.

I serve on the board of Helping Hands because I believe in the mission - every child and every family matters - and Helping Hands has a very Christ-centered and holistic approach to the important work that they do.

My favorite verse (right now) is James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Question 2

More About Jarrod

Answer

I served as the Human Resource Advisor at the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne and retired from the Air National Guard after 20 years of service in 2022. My wife Alicia and I have been married for 19 years, and we are proud parents of 4 wonderful daughters, Hattie (18), Hazel (15), Haley (14) and Hannah (12). We were previously members of the Ossian Presbyterian Church and have been attending Hope Missionary Church for the past 10 years.

I am passionate about protecting the lives of the unborn and providing support for mothers who may be facing difficult life situations. I love that Helping Hands comes alongside mothers and the entire family to provide community and help set them up for success in life. It’s a privilege to serve on a board of such a great organization that is ready to love and serve every person who walks through the doors.

The verse I like is Mathew 6:19-21 which says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves to not break in and steal. For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also.

Question 3

More About Joel

Answer

I’m 40 (almost) years old, married to Kimberly for 15 years and we have 3 kids (Rhys 13, Mia 12 and Ryder almost 9 (Feb.5)) I joined the Air Force at 17 and have been in for going on 23 years. We love to travel and enjoy seeing new things and places.

I am passionate about assisting the entire family unit to build stronger connections and a better community. I love how the entire family unit (mom, dad, kids and couples) can do classes or get resources to thrive at home. To see many of the clients going to church and finding new faith is a testament to the way God is guiding Helping Hands and shaping it to what our community needs.

Question 4

More About Gayla

Answer

Steve and I have been married for over 40 years and live in Bluffton, both of us have lived in Wells County all our lives. Together we have built a wonderful family and life – 3 sons, 1 daughter, 3 daughter in laws, 1 son in law, and 8 grandkids. We operate our business as a mission and love people and privileged to employ & work with many. I enjoy time with our family and friends, being at the lakes, and bike riding.

I am involved at Helping Hands because of many reasons, but one is because my family has experienced addiction firsthand, and this led us to recognize how it affects entire family. In addition, I believe that to change lives, the whole family (father, mother, and child) should be invested in.

I live my life with Colossians 3 in mind.

Question 5

More About Jeni

Answer

David and I have been married for 24 years and live in Bluffton. David is active duty military for the Indiana Air National Guard. Our son Cole and daughter in law Gabbi are parents to Lucas, our grandson. Cole also works for the Indiana Air National Guard and Gabbi teaches preschool for Hope Missionary Church. Grace, our oldest daughter is a full time student at Ball State and our youngest daughter, Sophia, is a sophomore at Southern Wells Jr/Sr High School. I have been a middle school teacher for 15 plus years, but I also teach ballet for Creative Arts Dance Academy in Bluffton. I have been teaching Ballet for 20 plus years.

I am currently serving on the board at Helping Hands because I realize the need and importance that Helping Hands fulfills in our community. My husband and I many years ago were very young, frightened soon to be parents, but we had the love and support of our families and the Lord to walk us through those first moments of hopelessness and feelings of defeat. Helping Hands provides this love and support to our clients as well as a chance to begin a relationship with God when a family support system is not present.

I feel like this verse from 1John 3:18 fits our mission well: "...let us not love with words or speech (only) but with actions and in truth."

Question 6

More About Bryant

Answer

I am a Wells County native and the son of a third-generation farm family. Born and raised just outside of Bluffton, I attended Norwell High School, Taylor University, and Indiana University Maurer School of Law. I now practice law with Dale, Huffman & Babcock. I enjoy spending time with his family, helping my father on the farm, and the occasional friendly game of pickleball.

I am serving on the board of Helping Hands because I believe in helping to meet the needs of those in our community who seek assistance in improving their lives and the lives of those they love. In pursuit of Christ's example, Helping Hands plays an impactful role in meeting those needs in Bluffton, Wells County, and throughout northeast Indiana.

A Bible verse which has long encouraged me is Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (NLT)

Question 7

More About Sara

Answer

Lance and I have been married for 15 and a half years and are blessed with four wonderful children. I've been a stay-at-home mom and farm wife for over 14 years, pouring my heart into raising our family while also seeking meaningful ways to serve in our church and community. Our shared desire to support others led me to join the Helping Hands Board- an organization to uplift families and meet real needs with compassion and practical help. We know what it's like to walk through challenging seasons and have found strength in both offering support and receiving it. Serving with Helping Hands is a small but important way for me to give back and help make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

A verse that continually guides me is Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This Truth stays at the forefront of my heart as I navigate daily life. In all that I do, I strive to seek God first and follow His will to build His Kingdom. For this season, He has led me to serve on the Helping Hands Board and I'm eager to see the good work He has planned!

Question 8

More About Brandi

Answer

I reside in Wells County with my husband, Ryan, and together we are blessed with five children who keep life full and meaningful. Professionally, I serve as the Controller and Office Manager at Family Ford of Bluffton, where I take pride in bringing organization, dedication, and a strong work ethic to my role each day. I am also honored to serve on the board of Helping Hands, a mission that is deeply personal to me. As a former teen mom, I remember what it felt like to be young and uncertain—but I was fortunate to be surrounded by the love and support of my family. Not everyone is given that same foundation, which is why I am passionate about standing alongside Helping Hands to support and uplift others who need it most. My faith plays an important role in my life, and one verse that continues to guide me is Hebrews 6:19: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” It serves as a reminder to stay grounded, hopeful, and steady through every season of life.

Leadership

Lane Sander

BOARD PRESIDENT

Director and Founder of Renovate Counseling Services.

More About Lane

Jarrod Lewis

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Sr. Regional HR Manager for Bunge North America

More About Jarrod

Joel Smith

BOARD SECRETARY

Aircraft Mechanic at Indiana Air National Guard

More About Joel

Gayla Gerber

ADVISORY MEMBER

Owner and HR Manager at Outdoor Concepts.

More About Gayla

Jeni Meeks

ADVISORY MEMBER

Middle School Math Teacher Southern Wells Jr/Sr High School

More About Jeni

Bryant Barger

ADVISORY MEMBER

Lawyer at Dale, Huffman, and Babcock

More About Bryant

Sara Fiechter

ADVISORY MEMBER

Community Member

More About Sara

Brandi Hewson

ADVISORY MEMBER

Controller at Family Ford

More About Brandi

Greg Thornton

ADVISORY MEMBER

Community Member

COMMITTEES

Capital Campaign Steering Committee:

Todd Reimschisel, ChairPatti Troxel, Honorary ChairJohn ColeJenny FrauhigerGayla GerberSteve GerberAdrianne MoserGreg Thornton

Capital Campaign Building Advisory Committee:

Randy BarkleyChandler GerberSteve GerberGreg Thornton

Annual Benefit Committee:

Alyssa BrownErin ClaghornDanica DunwiddieSara FiechterLiz Frauhiger Gayla GerberBrandi HewsonAlicia LewisKelli KistlerJeni MeeksDani McAfeeAdrianne Moser

Finance Committee:

Rory AntrimJordan ArnoldBryant BargerTrent BucherCecelia ElletAlan GunkelKelli KistlerTodd ReimschiselLane Sander

Human Resources Committee:

Erica BrickleyNate FowlerBrandi HewsonJarrod LewisAshleigh King Heather Morgan Lane Sander

Safety/Facilities Committee:

Bryant BargerRandy Barkley Steve GerberJessica SinkJoel SmithAaron Taylor

Todd Reimschisel, Chair
Patti Troxel, Honorary Chair
John Cole
Jenny Frauhiger
Gayla Gerber
Steve Gerber
Adrianne Moser
Greg Thornton

Randy Barkley
Chandler Gerber
Steve Gerber
Greg Thornton

Alyssa Brown
Erin Claghorn
Danica Dunwiddie
Sara Fiechter
Liz Frauhiger
Gayla Gerber
Brandi Hewson
Alicia Lewis
Kelli Kistler
Jeni Meeks
Dani McAfee
Adrianne Moser

Rory Antrim
Jordan Arnold
Bryant Barger
Trent Bucher
Cecelia Ellet
Alan Gunkel
Kelli Kistler
Todd Reimschisel
Lane Sander

Erica Brickley
Nate Fowler
Brandi Hewson
Jarrod Lewis
Ashleigh King
Heather Morgan
Lane Sander

Bryant Barger
Randy Barkley
Steve Gerber
Jessica Sink
Joel Smith
Aaron Taylor