Valuing & Supporting Women for their Unique Seasons Of Ministry

View The Supporting Foundational Research Document

Parakaleo is a Christian nonprofit that comes alongside women in church planting, including wives of church planters.

Through learning experiences and supportive groups, we grow a woman’s ability to see her story in light of God’s redemptive story, leading her to unmask idols and embrace her true identity and calling. Her transformation has ripple effects through the church, inviting others to experience the beauty and freedom of Jesus for themselves.

What We Value

Meet Our Team

  • Denine Blevins

    Executive Director

    Denine is a proud New Yorker with a gift for uniting diverse groups. She has two decades of experience helping organizations turn ideas into implementation. Prior to Parakaleo, she worked at Redeemer City to City and Mission to North America supporting programs for leaders.

  • Smita Donthamsetty

    Program Director

    Smita’s gifts in encouragement and facilitating learning have led to thousands growing in their God-given abilities to address their own challenges. Smita is passionate about supporting people to better know how loved and valued they are by their heavenly Father.

  • Angie Woodall

    Operations Manager

    Angie loves using her gifts in organization and administration to support others as they achieve their goals. Her strength is in normalizing the hard everyday experiences women face and reminding them of their gospel footing.

  • Sarah Kemp

    Program Coordinator

    Sarah has enjoyed various ministry experiences throughout the Southeastern United States, including a season of church planting in Central Florida. Sarah enjoys using her gifts in hospitality and administration to walk alongside others, supporting and encouraging them in the places the Lord has called them to live, work, and play.

Board Members

  • Margaret Thompson

    Board Chair

    Margaret Harvey Thompson, along with her husband Dan, founded Christ Community Church in Titusville. After being disrupted by the gospel, she served on the Board of Directors for Serge before joining Parakaleo.

  • Jessica Hong

    Treasurer

    Born in New York and raised in Philadelphia, Jessica holds a B.A. in psychology, an M.DIv, and an MBA. While serving in New York, she had the privilege of being mentored by Kathy Keller. Jessica now serves as a strategy and planning manager in Los Angeles.

  • Shauna Froelich

    Secretary

    A Communications professor in Wisconsin, Shauna holds two law degrees and has participated in three church plants. She finds her greatest joy in prayerful communion with God, sharing redemption stories, and hosting student gatherings at her home.

  • Jessica Rice

    Jessica along with her husband, Jordan, planted Renaissance Church in 2014 where she currently works as the Communications Director helping develop organizational strategy, and communication materials.

  • Chris Torchia

    Chris Torchia, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in intercultural studies, is dedicated to sharing the gospel's comfort and hope with broken individuals and equipping the church to care for its hurting members.

  • Chris Zurbach

    After almost two decades serving ministries focused on planting churches and clean water projects in remote parts of Africa and Asia, Chris now serves as Director of Philanthropy & Marketing at Geneva Benefits Group. She holds a B.A. in English, is a Certified Fundraising Executive, and currently working toward an Executive MBA. She is passionate about seeing women thrive holistically in church planting.

  • Chris McNerney

    While working as a clinical psychologist in NYC with young HIV+ patients, Chris was transformed by the gospel preaching and community he experienced at his church. He shifted to full-time ministry, moving to Los Angeles to plant Providence Church.

The Founders Who Started The Ministry:

Shari Thomas

Among the many plans Shari had for her life, being a catalyst for change in church planting was not one of them! After doing almost everything wrong in the church planting spousal relationship, Shari researched and then started what is becoming a global ministry of support, healing and change. With an educational background in theology, education and international church planting, Shari co-founded Parakaleo in 2005.

Tami Resch

Taking the hope of the gospel to the hearts of women is Tami's work and play. Unlike her professional football coaching family, Tami coaches women! In 2005, she cofounded Parakaleo on the condition that she would never speak publicly. Today, she explains theological truths at Parakaleo training events with whiteboards, flip-charts, metaphors, movie clips, storytelling, dot-connecting, and napkin drawings.

Discover Your Way to Get Involved

  • Find Your Program

    We offer two choices of programs led by trained facilitators. Sign up for a theme-specific learning experience or join a group to gain support.

    Programs

  • View Our Partners

    We collaborate with church planting organizations that are looking to build a system of support for women in their context, culture, and language.

    Partnerships

  • Explore Our Impact

    We build gospel-centered community and support women globally. Explore our impact, and consider expanding our reach through your generosity.

    Global Impact