MEET OUR TEAM
John Eads
Co-Founder and Executive Director
John has earned both an MBA from New Mexico State University and a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Following his service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, John worked as a healthcare executive and served as a hospital CEO for ten years. He has been involved in prison ministry since 1995 and inner-city ministry since 1996. He went into full-time ministry in 2007. In 2007, John traveled to East Los Angeles and lived with former gang members to learn from Homeboy Industries, considered to be the nation's "Best Practice" for Gang Intervention. John is also a professor at Spring Hill College where he teaches business and social entrepreneur courses.
Dolores Eads
Co-Founder and On-site Director
Dolores has a dual degree in Special and Elementary Education from New Mexico State University. Dolores taught pulic education for 15 years. She has been involved in prison ministry since 1995 and inner-city ministry since 1996. She surrendered to the Lord's call and went into full-time ministry in 2007. In 2007, she traveled to Urban Promise in Camden, New Jersey, and was inspired by thier private Christian School. In the fall of 2007, she left public education and opened the Light of the Village Christian Academy.
Morgan Carnley
College and Career Counselor
Volunteer Coordinator
Special Events Coordinator
Morgan holds a BBA from the University of Mobile and an MBA from the University of South Alabama. She graduated with honors from the University of Mobile where she earned the highest-ranking female award, the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Excellence Award upon graduation. She has been involved with the Light of the Village since 2007 when she started volunteering. She has spent time at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles to learn from what many consider the nation's "Best Practice" in Gang Intervention and Job Development. She has also visited Urban Promise in Camden, NJ and has helped us follow their model in expanding to multiple satellite campuses.
Elisabeth Davis
Camp LOV Director
Food Bank Coordinator
Adult Education Coordinator
Elisabeth, better known as Biz, is a graduate of the University of Mobile where she played soccer for four years. She holds a degree in Athletic Training. Elisabeth first got involved with Light of the Village in 2014 as a Summer Bible Camp intern. Biz then became a full-time staff member after that summer. Elisabeth is the director of the original site, Camp LOV. She loves cats, macaroni and cheese and the Dallas Cowboys.
Janie Widemire
Camp Hope/Peace Director
Social Media Coordinator
Janie was introduced to the Light of the Village as a teenager when she volunteered with her STOMP Team. Once she was 18, she became a Summer Intern and then a full time staff member. Outside of camp hours, Janie works along side Morgan to keep our social media outlets updated. During the summer, Janie directs Camp Hope with Erica. Most often, you can find her directing with Theresa at Camp Peace. In Janie's free time, she spends time with her two dogs that she rescued from Light of the Village.
Julisa Theodore
Julisa started volunteering at The Light of the Village when she was in college. Camp Light is where Julisa directs year round. She also directs at Camp Grace during the school year. She is always ready to have a dance off or teach a new dance at Light of the Village. Julisa became a full-time staff member the spring of 2020. In her free time, Julisa teaches Zumba at Spring Hill Baptist. She is an alumni of the University of Mobile.
Camp Light Director
Dance Instructor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Kennedy
Don is a retired corporate executive from the financial industry, as well as a retired Colonel from the Alabama National Guard. He has served on several boards and has been working with the Light of the Village since 2007.
Diane Kennedy
Diane is a vice president at First Community Bank in Mobile and has worked in the banking industry for forty years. She has served on numerous civic and church boards and is a trustee with the Alabama Baptist Association. She has been involved with the Light of the Village since 2008.
Bill Kinnaird
Bill is a law enforcement agent with the Federal Government. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from The University of Alabama where he majored in Accounting. He has been helping with the Light of the Village since 2005.
Eric Patterson
Eric is a division manager with Alabama Power Company. He is involved as a board member with several non-profit organizations in the Mobile area and has been helping with the Light of the Village since 2008.
Morgan Busby
Morgan is founder and president of TradingPub.com and MarketDeal.com, providers of free trading education. Morgan has been involved with the coordination of Light of the Village's annual dinner, A Night in the Light, since its inception in 2012.
Dan Brennan
Dan is a nationally recognized radio personality and community advocate for youth endeavors in the Mobile, Alabama area. He has served on several Boards and has been involved with Light of the Village since 2009.