STAFF
Danny Hampton
Executive Director
Danny has been serving in ministry leadership positions since his college days in 1982. During his years of ministry he has served in many different ministerial arenas including youth ministry, music/worship ministry, counseling, education, family ministry, and senior pastoral ministry. Danny has had the privilege to serve in ministry fields ranging from Orlando, Florida, to Endicott, New York and many places in-between.
Educationally, Danny earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Mars Hill University and a Masters of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2010, Danny and his family felt called to leave his pastorate in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and move back to his extended family’s homeland here in McDowell County. Shortly after arriving in Marion, Danny became Chaplain of the Marion Minimum Security Unit and an Assistant Chaplain at the Marion Correctional Institution.
It was during his time of serving as a prison chaplain that God birthed the vision for Freedom Life Ministries. Danny has served as Chaplain and Executive Director of Freedom Life Ministries since its inception in November of 2012.
Danny’s hobbies include music, writing, sports of all kinds, golf, and hiking.
Jim Smith
Development Director
Jim has dedicated over five years to Freedom Life, contributing significantly to the organization’s growth and impact. His involvement spans a variety of crucial areas, demonstrating a well-rounded skillset and commitment to the organization’s mission. He has been instrumental in developing and implementing marketing strategies to raise awareness and expand Freedom Life’s reach. Furthermore, Jim has played a key role in the organization’s development, likely contributing to strategic planning, program design, and overall organizational effectiveness. His expertise in funding strategies has been invaluable, securing the necessary resources to support Freedom Life’s operations and initiatives. This includes experience in grant writing, a specialized skill that requires meticulous research, compelling proposal development, and adherence to strict guidelines. Finally, Jim provides oversight of the finances for all three Freedom Life counties, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and maintaining financial transparency. This multifaceted role underscores Jim’s dedication and his vital contributions to Freedom Life’s success across its service areas.
Janis Bolick
Executive Administrator
Coming soon.
Melissa Nealley
Director of Client Care
Melissa has called Western North Carolina home for most of her life. Her professional career has been to serve the citizens of McDowell by working in the county office. Melissa has also worked as a volunteer with the DSS Child Services Department for many years, where she served as both a foster parent and also as a Guardian Ad Litem. Her vast experience in Child Services has uniquely qualified Melissa to help FL clients whose children are in the DSS system.
Melissa has served as a volunteer with FLM since its inception in 2013. She has been working as a DSS Child Services Client Liaison and a Case Manager since 2014.
Melissa’s own personal journey with God through many difficult life experiences has given her a seasoned capacity to connect with and care for the clients she serves. Her hobbies include traveling, swimming, and shopping.
Stephanie Roe
Client Care Case Manager
Melissa marlowe
SCA Program Director
Melissa Marlowe is excited to be a part of Freedom Life. She worked for 20 years with LifeWay’s Ridgecrest Conference Center as an Administrative Assistant to the Director and also supervised the summer staff and volunteer programs. She has spent the last five years exploring other career opportunities as a NC State life, health and medicare insurance agent, a tax resolution specialist with Atkins & Associates and an instructor with McDowell Technical Community College GED program. Melissa graduated in 2015 from Appalachian with a degree in Communications, Advertising and a minor in Business.
Regina Riggs
Asst. Financial Administrator & BRCCS Director
Regina is a McDowell county native. She has an Associate’s Degree in Science from Western Piedmont. Regina has been with Freedom Life since 2016. She serves as the financial administrator for the Blue Ridge Community Care Services: a social security payee company that provides financial management for the individuals who require assistance in managing their social security or social security income payments. Regina also administrates the finances of Freedom Preasure Washing. She is married to John for 34 Years. Regina loves Freedom Life and the work it does for the community.
King Mawhinney
Foothills Coordinator
Updating
Cindy Hampton
Client Care Case Manager
Originally from South Carolina, Cindy has been part of the McDowell county community for over 10 years, which is also home to her extended family.
Cindy’s background includes family ministry and substance abuse counseling, along with over 30 years of support and service with her husband through ministry in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana, New Jersey and New York. She graduated from Meredith College and has a Masters of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Cindy is thankful to be part of the Freedom Life family and feels blessed to serve with such deeply committed people who have a passionate love for God and our community.
Jason Wallace
Jail Liaison / Case Manager
Jason serves as the liaison between Freedom Life and McDowell County Jail. He helps to coordinate and facilitate pre-release programming that prepares incarcerated men and women for reintegration back into the community. From there, he also helps coordinate working as a case manager with men and women whom have been incarcerated. Jason was a client with Freedom Life and has a strong heart to work with those looking for a new beginning.
Milana Ward
Avery County Reentry Coordinator
Native of Avery County. Started my journey with Freedom Life in November of 2022. In March of 2018, I truly learned what it was to surrender something to the Lord, as I hit my knees in rehab (for the second time) and begged God to take my addiction from me. I was exhausted and to the very end of myself! God answered that prayer and little did I know He was working behind the scenes to get me to this point! Once he took it from me I still had a lot of work to do and I needed a lot of support. That is what I hope to do with Freedom Life, be a part of walking beside people to a better way of life. I have a heart for helping people facing some of the same challenges I faced trying to find my own recovery. In being the re-entry coordinator for Avery County I can now be a part of the solution! I look forward to whatever God sends my way!
www.freedomlifeavery.org
LINC Vance
Yancey Reentry Director
updating