Leadership

Michelle Thurston is the founder of Hills and Valleys Refuge.  She has been a teacher for over twenty years. Her passion has always been kid ministry and serving her community. The past few years Michelle decided she wanted to help kids in the foster care system. After taking in and adopting a teenager she realized there was a big need for helping kids that aged out of the system. She wanted a place where they could feel loved and wanted at all times.Michelle knew that if she could give them a community like she had that these young adults would not only flourish but would strive beyond their life traumas. With the support of her husband, church, and friends Hills and Valleys Refuge was created. 

Born a foster child and later adopted, he grew up facing and overcoming adversity that shaped his strength and character. Becoming a single father at just 21, he navigated life’s challenges with faith and determination. Now a devoted husband and Jesus-loving man, he is a successful construction contractor, a loving father, and a teacher at heart. He has adopted two children, extending the same love and opportunity he once received, and finds joy in teaching his trade to others, passing on both skills and hope.

Ellen is a wife and a mom of 3 adult children. A social worker, by education, she has helped many people with both therapy and finding resources. As mental health professional who has a passion for helping people, especially youth, she was excited to become a part of the Hills & Valleys Refuge Family.

Ambrose is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, a husband and a retired is a United States Army veteran who served 2 tours in Afghanistan. As an adult who was a former Foster kid Ambrose has a passion to prevent other youth from having to go through the hardships he went through as a young adult. He has a drive to mentor equip and assist others, he does this through interacting and sharing his testimony with others to lead them along the path to Jesus Christ.

Whitney serves as the treasurer for Hills and Valleys Refuge.  Whitney is a native Arkansan but has resided in Texas for the last 10 years.  She received a BA in Sociology from Henderson State University with a minor in Gerontology.  Whitney has served as treasurer for the Northwest Arkansas Apartment Association as well as Elm Tree elementary’s Parent Teacher Organization.  She has worked for Care Hospice for the last ten years and is currently the Electronic Records Service Manager.  She lives with her husband and youngest daughter and two dogs.  When she isn’t working, she loves traveling, baking and serving at her church.  

Throughout the 70 years of my life, Jesus has greatly blessed me! He gave me a 40 year marriage, three beautiful daughters, 5 Grandchildren and 23 years serving as a Texas Deaf Educator. Widowed at age 59 in 2016, I began again in Texarkana, TX. A mutual friend introduced me to Pastor Vern Hawkins. We married in 2018.  I have lived in Texarkana 10 years now. My heart’s desire is to serve the LORD through Hills and Valley’s Refuge as He leads. 

Karen Rayfield is founder of Project Hope ministry in Texarkana. She is a long time member at Church on the Rock and has done so much help in the homeless population in the Texarkana area. As part of Project Hope Ministrey, Grace House where moms and kids come to begin a journeys of finding hope and recovery from crisis situations. She helps moms in our hotels find resources they need to get back on their feet. Project Hope ministers to senior citizens by delivering needed food and personal items. Karen is married to Artie and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. In her free time her hobby is continuing to help others.

Peter is an expericenced attorney whose practice includes family law and other areas of civil law. Peter offers important insight to help us provide a safe, supportive home for young adults transitioning out of foster care. His commitment to Christian values and his family are very important to him.