Our Mission: Love and serve the Greater Harrison community in Christ’s Name.
Serving our neighbors is how we minister, but it isn’t why we exist. That may sound strange, but if our ministry is only meeting temporary material needs, we are failing as a ministry. All the needs we experience on Earth are temporary, except the need for Christ.
This isn’t to underplay the importance of serving those in need, but to emphasize the need of Christ in our lives.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
Material need exists because we live in a broken world full of sinful people. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.
The Good News is that we can be redeemed through Christ. Jesus defeated Sin and Death on the cross and offers us eternal life through him.
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14.
Our Vision: glorify Christ and grow His Kingdom in our community
Not all people have a material need, but everyone has spiritual need. Part of the vision for this ministry is to glorify Christ by making the ways He is working in our community more visible. In many cases, unless you’re in need or actively volunteering, you’ll never see all the different ways God is moving in Harrison. We want to change that.
The Church isn’t a building, but the whole body of believers. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5.
We believe our function is to serve those in need and we want to connect people with the gift of serving and generosity to those in our community in need.
Our Team:
Mark Phillips
(executive Director)
Mark was born and raised in Harrison, but moved to Athens in 2013 to attend Ohio University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Communications.
Mark moved back to Harrison in 2018 and quickly got involved with many ministries, including Christ’s Loving Hands and also became a member of LifeSpring. When the former Executive Director decided to retire from the ministry, both she and Mark felt that God was calling him to fulfill His plan and replace her in the position of Executive Director.
Mark is on the Board of Directors for Hope’s Journey and is a board member (ex officio) for the Harrison Mayor’s Community Fund. When Mark isn’t working or volunteering for the Church or other ministries, you can often find him reading at the Coffee Peddlar or spending time with his friends and fiancé, Mollyann.
MJ Neeley
(Clearinghouse Coordinator)
MJ is a member of NewSong Church in Harrison, OH. She is a lifelong resident of the Harrison area. She is the mother of two grown children and a grandma to two adorable little girls and one little boy.
MJ worked as a customer service representative and project coordinator at Trinity Industries for 11 years. As part of a church plant in Hamilton, Ohio, MJ was involved in children’s ministry and youth outreach programs. She was also a volunteer at New Life Mission.
MJ joined the ministry in 2001 and volunteered full-time for three years before joining the staff as Clearinghouse Coordinator. She feels that God has placed her in this position to help those in need in our community.
Our Board:
Dr. Sean McCauley
(President)
Dr. Sean McCauley is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Cincinnati. He coordinates the Masters and Principal Licensure Programs for the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Department.
Dr. Larry Kluener
(Vice President)
Dr. Sean McCauley is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Cincinnati. He coordinates the Masters and Principal Licensure Programs for the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Department.
Dr. Joshua Long
(Secretary)
Dr. Joshua Long is a Presbyterian pastor originally from Ashtabula, OH. He previously served in Hamilton, OH and now serves in Harrison. He loves Jesus, music, reading, history, theology, classic movies, and peanut butter – all to varying degrees (but he loves Jesus best!).
Melanie Sizemore
(treasurer)
Melanie, as the daughter of a pastor, has always placed great importance on serving others in the name of Christ. It is a priority for her to incorporate this value into her everyday life as a wife, mother, grandmother, employee, and friend. Throughout the years, Melanie has served on women’s boards, music teams, and in various aspects of children’s ministry within our community. She recognizes that, at some point, everyone needs a “hand up” and she feels blessed to be a part of Christ’s Loving Hands, providing support to those who need it.
Dr. Alan Trenz
Alan is an attorney located in Harrison, Ohio and has been practicing law for over 30 years. Alan has served as a member of the Board of Christ’s Loving Hands for over 12 years.
Chris Hensley
Growing up in his family funeral home, Chris is proud to be the fourth generation in the funeral industry. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science with a Bachelors of Science degree.
His professional affiliations include: NFDA, OFDA (Past Young Funeral Directors Committee), International Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Association, and Academy of Professional Funeral Service. Chris is also a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW Post # 7570 Men’s Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion Post #199, Bright Lions Club (Past President), Snow Lodge #193 life member, Scottish Rite of Cincinnati, Ohio and Syrian Shrine Cincinnati, Ohio.
Chris is married to Carol (Simpson) Hensley and they have one son Trevor. The Hensley’s are proud to call Harrison home.
Deborah Hannon
Deborah Hannon is the wife of Jason, Associate Pastor at NewSong Church in historic Downtown Harrison, and together they parent four children- Judah, Emmy, Conner, and Patrick. She also works as a nurse recruiter for Health Carousel, a company based out of Norwood, OH. In her spare time, Deborah volunteers for the W.H.H. High School Music Boosters where she holds the office of Vice President (on Friday nights during football season you’ll find her working the window of the concession stands), and a few nights a week she spars at the local dojo with Jason and the kids!
Kelli Emgee
Kelli Emge is a devoted Christ-follower, and wife/helper to Ryan Emge, who is currently renovating Harrison’s historic Hugh Campbell House on Weathervane Lane. Kelli and Ryan have lived there since 2019 with their children, Ruth, Rand, Luke, and Rebekah. Kelli also teaches online high school courses, homeschools, and is usually in the kitchen cooking something healthy for family and friends.
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