JMI Staff
Steve Davis, Executive Director
Email: steve@justiceandmercy.org
Steve received a Bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist College, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a M.A. from St. Mary’s in Counseling. His passion for disadvantaged children began in 1989 working with abused children on a children’s home campus in San Antonio. That position morphed into an international ministry that took him to Russia, Romania and Moldova. Serving now with JMI allows him to continue a history in Moldova that dates back to 1999 and have the privilege of implementing programming in some of the most destitute countries in the world.
Mary Katharine Hunt, Executive Director of Operations
Email: mkhunt@justiceandmercy.org
Mary Katharine Hunt is the Executive Director of Operations for Justice & Mercy International. Previously Mary Katharine spent 20 years investing in the ministry of LifeWay Christian Resources. Most recently she served as the Vice President of Marketing for B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay.
Mary Katharine has a heart for missions and a passion for advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. Over the years, Mary Katharine has volunteered for and led many mission trips to Mexico, Moldova and Brazil. She served on the inaugural Board of Directors for Justice and Mercy International in 2008.
Hunt, a native of Tennessee, is a graduate of The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ashley Powell, Sponsorship Director
Email: ashley@justiceandmercy.org
Ashley graduated from Murray State University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education, and Trevecca Nazarene University with a masters degree in Educational Leadership. She has a heart and passion for teenagers, and was a high school teacher for five years before joining the JMI team. After her first trip to Moldova in 2007, Ashley’s heart was awakened to the desperate needs of orphans there. She is excited to be serving with JMI and to be part of what God is doing in Moldova and throughout the world.
Nancy Evangelista, Administrative Assistant
Email: nancy@justiceandmercy.org
Nancy graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. She is originally from Miami, FL and has lived in various places throughout the United States with her husband and three daughters. Nancy has a heart for serving children. She enjoys being active in church as a small group leader and as a Sunday school teacher. She is thrilled to be joining the JMI staff as the Administrative Assistant and excited to be part of an organization with the purpose of serving the underprivileged throughout the world.
Turk Ceylan, Interim Sponsorship Coordinator
Email: turk@justiceandmercy.org
“I was born in Biblical Colossae, which is modern day Denizli . As opposed to the most of the Turkish people and my parents who are secular Muslims (also known as cultural Muslims), I grew up as a devoted student of Islam. During the high school years, my love for philosophy, history, mythology and theology had led me to question my faith and try to understand my God as best as possible. At the age of 17, for the first time I met with Jesus and his teachings and after 3 long years of spiritual, cultural and theological struggle, I finally and fully gave myself to Jesus and accepted him as my Savior and my God. Right after my conversion, God started to use me in his service to glorify his own name in Turkey. I have served the Turkish Church for 11 years as a guitar player, worship leader, preacher, teacher and lastly as interim pastor. In 2009 I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Economics degree and in 2010 as I was an interim pastor, my wife and I decided to move to Franklin, TN, where she grew up. In 2011 I enrolled in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry degree.”
Alina Magdaliuc, National Director, Moldova
My greatest desire has always been working with children. This is why I graduated from Belts State Teacher’s Training University with the profession of English and French teacher. After working in school for 2 years and getting Master’s degree I started working with JMI, which allowed me to implement my knowledge of foreign languages and child psychology into helping abandoned and orphan children. God blessed me with a great family supporting me in this service to God but my family has now multiplied by all those kids who need our love and support.
Lina Botnari, Social Assistant, Moldova
Lina Botnari is the social assistant in Moldova. She graduated from Moldova State Universityin 2004. In 2005, she earned a Master’s degree in Social Assistance. For a short time, she worked as a teacher at the Theological College of Moldova. Lina was a Sunday school teacher for many years and she volunteered in many villages of Moldova with summer camps.
Lina is blessed to be a part of JMI Moldova team. Her greatest desire is to serve God and to help people in need, especially children.
Elena Vasilachi, Grace House Psychologist, Moldova
My name is Elena Vasilachi. I was born on January 22, 1975 in Mascauti community, Criuleni district, Republic of Moldova. In 1992 I graduated the local school and the same year I applied for the Technological College in Chisinau to continue my studies in technology of clothes manufacture. After college I worked as a seamstress in a local company. From 1996 to 1998 I studied at the Theological Pedagogical College in Chisinau where I earned the degree of a Teacher of Theology. For two years I worked in an auxiliary school as a teacher where I taught children spiritual-moral education. From 2000 to 2004 I worked for the international organization, Titus from Chisinau, as a teacher –trainer. In 2009 I graduated the State University “I. Creanga” from Chisinau where I studied Psycho-pedagogy and logopedy. For two years I worked at a day care center for children with disabilities in Criuleni town as a special trainer then as a director of the center. In July 2009 I accepted the position of psychologist for JMI and A Hope and A Future’s Transitional Living Program for girls – Grace House.
Igor Avram, Boys 2 Leaders Staff, Moldova
My name is Igor Avram. I was born on April 15, 1986 in Moldova. I graduated from State University, the faculty of Foreign Languages. Now I teach English at a Christian High School in Chisinau. I attend The Holy Trinity Church in Chisinau. I’m glad to be part of JMI organization. A lot of people have invested in me during these years, and that is why I have always wanted to be a part of an organization that invests in people.
Ecaterina (Katea) Tentiuc, Sponsorship Translator, South Moldova
My name is Ecaterina Tentiuc. I was born in December 14, 1986 in Chisinau, Moldova. I graduated from Moldova State University, from the college of foreign languages with a degree in English and French education. I attend Bethel Church in Chisinau. I like to work with children and youth. I was a leader of our church youth group for five years. For many years I have worked as a Sunday school teacher in our church. I am glad to join JMI and to be useful for God here at Internat 2, Straseni, and Carpineni orphanages.
Alexander (Sasha) Stiopa, Sponsorship Translator, North Moldova
My name is Alexander Stiopa. I’m a student at ‘Alecco Russo University in the college of Foreign Languages. I study English and German. Since 2010 my life changed when I worked with JMI for the first time. Seeing smiles on the children faces, I decided to try to make their life happier. Being a part of JMI I just want to contribute to bring the light in their hearts at Falesti, Balti, Orhei, Drochia, Tsaregrad, and Costesti orphanages along with Nataly.
Natalia (Nataly) Noroc, Sponsorship Translator, North Moldova
My name is Natalia Noroc. In 2012, I realized my destiny was to work with children because they are our present and future. I was born October 9, 1991, and am a student at Alecco Russo University in the college of Foreign Languages. I am glad to be part of JMI and to be serving at Falesti, Balti, Orhei, Drochia, Tsaregrad and Costesti orphanages along with Sasha. It’s a great opportunity to practice my English and to work with people whose aim is to help children in need.
Sarah Rodrigues, National Director, Brazil
My name is Sarah Rodrigues. I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am married to Magno Rodrigues and we live in Manaus, Amazon – Brazil. At age of seventeen, God called me to full-time ministry, then I went on to pursue my education at the South of Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary in Theology and the Baptist College of Florida in Missions. God has called me to obedience and has surprised me with wonders as I follow Him obediently. It fulfills me when I am who He wants me to be and when I go and speak whatever he wants me to speak. My greatest joy is to be used in any shape, form, time, or place by God. Now He has blessed me with the privilege of serving Him among the people in the Amazon. My heart beats for bringing the lost into a true understanding of Christ and what He’s done for us, and for mobilizing and training God’s people to fulfill the Great Commission. My dream is for Brazil to be at the feet of Jesus and to take believers to share the truth of Christ where it has not yet been told.
