Louise Jennings, Executive Director Emeritus

Louise was raised in Chesapeake, VA, graduated from Deep Creek High School, and graduated from Chowan University in 1956.  She worked a variety of jobs over the years, and had two daughters.  Her first marriage ended in divorce due to drugs and alcohol abuse.  Jesus saved Louise in 1975, gave her a second chance with a new husband and five stepchildren, and moved the family to the Shenandoah Valley.

In 1977 Louise and her husband Shel answered an altar call in a little United Methodist Church, and started going into Camp 8 Prison with the minister.  In 1983 Louise and Shel chartered Kingsway Prison and Family Outreach.  Louise has been volunteering ever since.

 

Paula Ford, Executive Director

A resident of Rockingham County, Paula learned about service and ministry at an early age as a minister’s daughter.  She and her husband, Joe, have been married since 1991 and have three adult children and three cats.  Paula comes to Kingsway with a background in social work, which includes working with older adults and people living with disabilities.  Paula’s interest in people within the justice system began in 2020, when a man under the influence crossed the center line, hitting her vehicle head on.  During her recovery, Paula felt God telling her that if she wanted to heal and move forward, she needed to forgive the man responsible for her wreck.  Paula forgave him and keeps in contact with him while he resides in a gated community.  In an effort to find out what support is available to those reentering society after incarceration, Paula started volunteering at Kingsway.  When Kingsway started looking for Louise Jennings’ successor, Paula prayerfully submitted her application.  Today, Paula is learning and growing through her role as Kingsway’s Executive Director and continues to look for ways to assist inmates reentering society and their families.  Paula enjoys knitting, nature photography, cardmaking, and being involved in her church as a song leader and Sunday School teacher.   

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​​​​​​​​​Vicki Barb, President

Vicki was born and raised in Shenandoah County, and went into the ministry in 2007.  It was at this time that Vicki met Louise Jennings at the United Methodist Church Annual Conference in Roanoke.  We were introduced by Rev. Glen Early.  In 2012, a fellowship was formed, of which Vicki was a part, and it was then that Louise asked Vicki to become a Board member for Kingsway.

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Jeanne Carter, Vice President

Jeanne Elisabeth Carter is a manager at SunTrust Mortgage.  She was initially impacted by Kingsway Outreach more than 15 years ago.  That’s the first time her ex-husband went to prison and her life changed.  She found herself struggling to pay the bills and keep her family together.  Little extras like money for school field trips or pictures was not going to happen without help.  Jeanne went to People Helping People and asked for assistance with a utility bill. They were able to pay the bill but they also gave her some priceless information because she fell into a unique category.  She was working a full-time job so that meant her income was over the limit for most assistance programs from social services.  They told her about a local organization that was run by a couple in Rockingham County called Kingsway.  She had never heard of them, but she was willing to reach out to anyone who could help in her time of need.  She called Louise and Shel Jennings and told them that her husband was currently incarcerated and their 5 children would really appreciate any help she could provide.  Her daughter had an upcoming field trip to the circus in Richmond and to a restaurant for lunch afterward.  Kingsway gladly covered that cost and even made food donations to her family on a regular basis.  Jeanne would get a phone call anytime and be given instructions to come to the Kingsway office to pick up boxes of non-perishable items.  What a tremendous blessing!  Many years later, now that her children are adults, Jeanne is anxious to share with others the joy that Kingsway provided for her family.  Many organizations are willing to help those who are incarcerated but not everyone remembers the spouses and children that are also affected by that person being removed from the household.  Kingsway Outreach helps those families in their time of greatest need and Jeanne is proud to now be in a position to help others in that same situation.

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Carleen Loveless, Treasurer

I entered this world on September 15, 1948, in Olean, New York.  My early spiritual training was at a Free Methodist Church, and it was at one of their summer camps that I received Christ as my personal Savior at the age of 12.  One of the tenets of the church was that you could lose your salvation, so I went forward many times to re-receive Christ.  However, around the age of 14, I began to attend a local Baptist church, and discovered that it was Christ holding me, not me hanging onto Him.  That took a lot of pressure off from being perfect, and I began to learn the scriptures and even participated in quiz teams.  Also, our youth pastor at the church really stressed the personal walk with Christ, and I began to grow in my faith.  I was baptized at that church around the time I was 15.  From there, I attended a 3-year Bible college with the intent of pursuing a teaching career.  However, I lacked the funds to attend the final year required to get my teaching degree. 

At the age of 20, I met my husband, Don Loveless, who had come to faith in Christ during his stint in the Navy during the Vietnam era.  A year later we were married, on July 25, 1970.  Both of us were always interested in ministry and served with Teen Haven in southwest Buffalo until 1973.  With the birth of our first child in August 1972, Don felt the need to consider a more stable income, and we left the ministry.  During the ensuing 50 years of marriage, we remained active in various ministries as well as in our local church.  We now have 3 grown children and 9 grandchildren. 

When it came close to the time that I knew I would retire, I began asking the Lord how He would like to use my retirement years.  Shortly after that prayer, I heard Louise speak at one of our area Lenten services, and felt God nudge me in that direction.  I began volunteering in various capacities at the Kingsway office in the fall of 2016.  While I can bring some office skills to the ministry, my real desire is to work with people and disciple any who are interested in growing in their relationship with the Lord.

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Sandy Pless, Secretary

Sandy grew up in and spent most of her adult life in Northern Virginia.  She and her husband, Pappy Pless, were married in 2011, and were blessed with the chance to move into a pastoral log house in the Shenandoah Valley in 2012, which they now share with two adult daughters, 7 cats, and a Greyhound.  Sandy’s 30-year career was as a Licensed Veterinary Technician, working in emergency medicine, private practice, and most recently in the clinic of a local SPCA.  She is currently driving a school bus for Augusta County.  Sandy started serving in prison ministry after Pappy became involved with the Kairos ministry after moving to Staunton.  Sandy and Pappy met Louise Jennings at an Emmaus monthly reunion in 2012, and eventually became more involved with Kingsway.  Together they have served at Kingsway church services and other events at Augusta Correctional Center; they continue to serve at the House of Restoration fellowship gatherings, at various Kingsway events, and at Coffeewood Correctional Center when time allows.  Sandy has previously served at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women with the Kairos ministry.  Sandy has recently assumed the role of editor of Kingsway's newsletter, The Kingsway Banner.

Sandy and Pappy are members of Community Fellowship Church in Staunton, where they are involved in a Home Group, a fellowship group, and on the sound and video team.

 

Jennie Amison

To be provided.

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Manny Fisher

Manny Fisher has lived in the Shenandoah Valley since December of 2006 after moving from Lancaster, PA. He and his wife, Mary, who grew up in Harrisonburg, have two children who have been homeschooled, and love calling the Valley their home.

Manny grew up in a large family in Lancaster County on a small dairy farm, and went to a little private school.  He was raised in the Amish culture, and gave his heart to the Lord at the age of 21, knowing that "God needed me to move on in order to fulfill His calling in my life."

Manny did a lot of street ministry in the Lancaster and Philadelphia areas with his church in Lancaster.  After moving to Virginia, he got involved with prison ministry, serving at Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Center and Augusta Correctional Center.

In January 2007, Manny and his wife started a construction company, Integrity Custom Builders, doing mainly home additions and home remodels, and some light commercial work.  Mary works as bookkeeper for the company.  She is also bookkeeper and administrator for the new Selah Academy Christian school in Harrisonburg.  In March 2020, Manny got his realtor's license, and works with Kline May Realty in some residential but mostly commercial real estate.

Manny also has a pilot's license, and has a share of a flight club based out of the Shenandoah Valley Airport.  He is the treasurer in the flight club.

Since 2021, Manny has gotten involved with the Gideons, serving as the chaplain for the local chapter and helping with Bible distributions for the Gideons East Camp in Rockingham.  Mary is also involved with the Gideons.

Manny and Mary have attended Truth Light and Life Mission, a non-denominational church in Penn Laird, for the last 15 years, serving in different positions there over the years.

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Mark Grove

I currently live in Ottobine, VA.  I was born and raised in Fishersville, VA, in Augusta County.  I am unmarried, and have 2 sisters.  My dad still lives in Fishersville.  I am a large animal veterinarian, working with Dayton Animal Services.  I discovered Jesus while working on my dad's farm.  I consider myself a lifelong, albeit slow, learner!   I am interested in agriculture and in animal and land health.  My hobbies are hiking, kayaking, running, and fishing.

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Carole Heatwole

To be provided.

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LeVerne Herring

My name is LeVerne Herring.  I became involved with Kingsway when I received their services through the Apple Tree Project. My sister-in-law was incarcerated in 2003, and her 5-year-old son came to live with my husband, my son, and me.  That was when I learned about Kingsway and the work they do.  As a social worker, "service" is in my DNA.  I began to volunteer delivering Christmas presents in Rockingham and Augusta County, and have volunteered for Kingsway since then.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have over 30 years' experience with a variety of children and family issues. I have been married for over 30 years, and have one adult son.  I have attended New Hope Methodist Church in New Hope, VA, since 1994.  Kingsway is a valuable presence in the community, and I hope to continue to support their mission.

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Pam Presgrave

My name is Pam Presgrave.  I was introduced to Kingsway in 2016 by my sister.  I joined at the time the Apple Tree Project and Christmas gifts for the inmates were going on, and have been there ever since.  I have served with the Kairos Outside Support Team at ACC, and have been to the closing service inside, and am waiting for the next time to go back in.  I have learned so much at Kingsway, and have made some awesome friends whom I call My Kingsway Family.  I've written cards for 6000 inmates, I have done the newsletters, and I am still learning lots of things.  I'm looking forward to the next couple years at Kingsway.

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Harvey Senger

Harvey Senger is the oldest of four children.  His father was an alcoholic who ruled the home with fear.  Harvey joined the Navy as a way to run away from home and to feel in control of his life, which he thought would end before he reached the age of 30 due to his "life in the fast lane." 

God had a different plan.  Harvey accepted Him as Lord and Savior at age 27.  Since then He has constantly been at work in Harvey's life, extending much mercy and grace to him as He continues to mold and shape him into what He wants Harvey to be.  Harvey says, "At times I continue to struggle against His will, and I thank God that I lose." 

Harvey founded Senger Roofing, LLC, in 1972, and after over 30 years has since retired.  His son, Mark, is continuing the family business.  Harvey and his wife, Connie, are very active in their church and we are blessed to have them serving with Kingsway.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Alvin Yoder

Alvin was born in Ohio, but his family moved to western Maryland when he was very young.  He grew up on a dairy farm until he was a young teenager, when his family moved again, this time to the Shenandoah Valley.  Since that time, he has had experience in poultry farming, teaching in a Christian day school, building storage sheds, and for nearly 20 years owning and operating a successful auction business.  Through a number of wrong turns and being more interested in following his own way than following God’s plan for his life, he ended up on “the other side of the fence.”  After serving his time, Alvin became involved with Kingsway and now enjoys helping fellow returning citizens maneuver the strict requirements of probation and the general difficulties of returning to society as a productive citizen.