CALLED TO CARE

Shaunti Feldhahn received her graduate degree from Harvard University and was an analyst on Wall Street before unexpectedly becoming a social researcher, best-selling author, and popular speaker.

Today, she applies her analytical skills to investigating eye-opening, lifechanging truths about relationships, both at home and in the workplace. Her groundbreaking research-based books, such as For Women Only and For Men Only, have sold more than 3 million copies in 25 languages; her books and studies are popular in homes, counseling centers, and corporations worldwide.

Shaunti (often with her husband, Jeff) speaks at events each year around the world, sharing her findings with a wide range of audiences such as churches, corporate conventions, women’s conferences, universities, arena events, marriage seminars, youth camps and cruises (yes, those are particularly painful…). Her research and commentary are regularly featured in media as diverse as The Today Show, Focus on the Family, The New York Times and Family Life. Shaunti, Jeff, and their two adult children live in Atlanta and enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.

James Sells, Ph.D. is a psychologist, a counseling professor, the Hughes Endowed Chair of Mental Health and Christian Thought and Co-Director of the Charis Institute, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA where his team creates resources for the church to relieve suffering. He is married to Heather, has witnessed the launch of three adult children into orbits of marriage, children, and pursuit of God’s calling. He likes to fix broken things, making them work as designed—be it people, families, cars, or squeaky doors.

June Hunt, MA, is an author, broadcaster, counselor, singer, speaker, and the founder of Hope for the Heart. She began in the ministry in 1986 to provide God’s truth for today’s problems. June developed the 100-topic Keys for Living Library to provide biblical hope and practical help on real life issues. Since 1995, June has shared compassionate, biblical guidance with thousands of callers on her award-winning radio broadcast, Hope in the Night, a live, call-in counseling program, which she continues to host each weeknight.

A visionary with a heart to bring people together, June also founded The Hope Center in 2009, which serves as the permanent home for over 60 nonprofit Christian ministries, allowing collaboration for greater Kingdom impact. 

With unwavering dedication to God’s Word and a compassionate heart for others, the Lord has turned June’s simple desire to help people find answers to life’s toughest challenges into a worldwide ministry of hope, impacting more than 60 countries on 6 continents in over 35 languages.

 Dr. Jen Ripley is Hughes Co-Chair of Integration at Regent University, Professor of Psychology in the Doctor of Psychology program, and Co-director of the Charis Institute.  She is author of several books including Couple Therapy: A New Hope Focused Approach and Ministering to Families in Crisis. As a licensed psychologist, she focuses her research and training on promoting Christian visions of hope and healing for churches, families, and communities. 

Dr. Libin Abraham was born in Kerala, India, and spent most of his childhood in Chattanooga, TN. His passion for ministry began to take root under his parents, who have been serving in pastoral ministry his whole life. Libin received his M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Pastoral Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Stacey, have been married since 2014 and have three wonderful children: Avery, Liam, and Luke.

Libin serves as the Lead Pastor of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, TX, where their mission is to experience and share the love of Jesus. Libin finds great joy in seeing individuals be called to Christ and sent to people.

Haley Scully, MA, is a speaker, author, and trainer and has been with Hope for the Heart since 2011. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Ministry Operations. She began her work in our onsite counseling programs and moved into international ministry where she has delivered training in over 30 countries. She manages initiatives, develops partnerships, coordinates resources, and provides basic counseling, coaching, and care ministry training for church leaders and parachurch organizations around the world. She also co-hosts the popular podcast, Hope Talks, sharing practical insights on how to find hope in everyday challenges.

Haley earned her degree in Communications from Oklahoma State University and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is passionate about connecting hurting hearts to hope in Christ and application of God’s Word to their everyday lives.

Eric Scalise, PhD, LPC, LMFT, currently serves as President and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) with Hope for the Heart, an international counseling ministry and is also the President of LIV Consulting, LLC. He is the former Senior Vice President for the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and former Department Chair for Counseling Programs at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Scalise earned his doctorate in Organizational Leadership, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Credentialed Master Life Coach with over 45 years of clinical and professional experience in the mental health field. He served six years on the Virginia Board of Counseling under two governors. Specialty areas include professional/pastoral stress and burnout, combat trauma and PTS/PTSD, marriage and family issues, grief and loss, addictions and recovery, leadership development, and lay counselor training. As the son of a diplomat, Dr. Scalise was born in Nicosia, Cyprus, and has also lived and traveled extensively around the world. He is a published author (Addictions and Recovery Counseling, Lay Counseling: Equipping Christians for a Helping Ministry, and Called to Care: 30 Reflections on a Sacred Trust), adjunct professor at several universities, conference speaker, and frequently consults with organizations, clinicians, ministry leaders, and churches on a variety of issues. Dr. Scalise and his wife, Donna, have been married for 45 years, have twin sons—who are combat veterans serving in the U.S. Marine Corps—and four grandchildren.