JMI Team

Mary Katharine Hunt

Chief Executive Officer

Mary Katharine Hunt is the Chief Executive Officer for Justice & Mercy International and has been with the organization since 2013. 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 dozens of mission trips to Mexico, Moldova, and Brazil. She served on the inaugural Board of Directors for Justice and Mercy International in 2008.

A native of Tennessee, Mary Katharine 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.

Dr. Chris Hardy

Chief Program Officer

Dr. Chris Hardy serves as Chief Program Officer for JMI. Before joining the organization, he spent 29 years as an ordained pastor in the local church. Most recently, he served for 19 years on the pastoral staff at Westover Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he oversaw equipping, life development, and leadership development, and later served as Staff Pastor.

Chris’s heart for missions began after college. Since then, he has led numerous teams to serve vulnerable, poor, and least-reached communities around the world. A native of Georgia, he studied psychology at Berry College and counseling at the Church of God Theological Seminary. He later earned both his M.Div. and D.Min. from United Theological Seminary.

Chris and his wife, Traci, have been married for more than 25 years and have two children, Kara-Anne and Will. His family proudly supports JMI and sponsors a child in Moldova and a pastor in the Amazon.

Tara Owen

Chief Financial Officer & Secretary of the Corporation

Tara Owen is the Chief Financial Officer for JMI. She has a CPA and holds a Master’s and a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University. Previously, Tara performed audits with KPMG, served as an Analyst for LifeWay, and managed Accounting and Operations for companies in the real estate, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors.

Tara has two sons, Caleb and Luke. She and her boys love being a part of the ministry God is doing through JMI.

Lucy Mhondera

Chief Donor Engagement Officer

Lucy Mhondera is the Chief Donor Engagement Officer for Justice & Mercy International. She is married to George, and they have two daughters. Originally from England, Lucy and her family moved to the US in 2018 to join the JMI team. Lucy previously spent 17 years working in the Christian music industry and non-profit sector in the UK & Europe, overseeing marketing, events, and fundraising.

In 2002, the Lord had begun a new work in the Amazon through her parents, and in 2003, Lucy and George went to the Amazon for the first time. They were forever impacted by what they saw, and spent the next 10 years volunteering their time to raise awareness and support for the new ministry that had captured their families’ hearts.

Over the years, Lucy has had the privilege to travel and work with incredible people and ministries around the world. She loves being a part of the JMI team, seeing the Gospel transform and restore the lives of His people.

Sarah Rodrigues

National Director, Justice & Mercy Amazon

Sarah was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the age of seventeen, God called her to full-time ministry. Sarah received degrees from the South of Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary in Theology and the Baptist College of Florida in Missions. Sarah’s greatest joy is to be used in any shape, form, time or place by God. She feels God has blessed her with the privilege of serving Him among the people in the Amazon. Her desire is to bring the lost into a true understanding of Christ and what He has done for us and to mobilize and train God’s people to fulfill the Great Commission. Sarah and her husband, Magno, live in Manaus with their son.

Gicu Luchian

National Director, Justice & Mercy Moldova

Gicu brings more than 14 years of experience in banking, finance, and microfinance, having worked with commercial banks and financial institutions throughout Moldova. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in financial management, business development, and leadership while building strong relationships with individuals, families, and organizations across the country.

Beyond his professional experience, Gicu has a heart for serving others and investing in his community. He serves as a Deacon at Jesus Savior Church, where he is actively involved in ministry and outreach. Gicu is passionate about encouraging people, strengthening families, and helping others experience the hope found in Christ.

Gicu and his wife, Ana, have two children, Elias-Ionut and Eva. He considers it a privilege to serve through JMI and to be part of the work God is doing among vulnerable children, families, and communities throughout Moldova.