TEEN CHALLENGE SOUTHEAST REGION - Key Persons
Elias Hindi is a seasoned horse trainer who hails from Gunnison Colorado. He has grown up with horses as a 6th generation horse trainer on his father's side and a 2nd generation horse trainer on his mother's side. Elias has worked alongside his father breaking and starting young horses since his youngest ages and officially kicked off his career by starting some colts for a family friend at the age of 12. His mother, Deborah Hindi, is a licensed USDF trainer who specializes in performance dressage horses and has helped to refine Elias's riding skills and broaden his training methods.
Joel is one of our teachers at TCBA and assists the students by tutoring math. Joel earned his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology at Berea College in 1997 and has been teaching for over 22 years. Prior to coming to TCBA, Joel taught Math, Graphic Design, and Video Production for 8 years at Oneida Baptist Institute, and also taught these same subjects for 14 years at ITT Technical Institute before that.
Joel and his wife Stacy have 4 children - Nathaniel, Tyler, Luna, and Jose. Their family moved to Florida from Kentucky on the fourth of July of 2020 and have been enjoying Florida life. Joel has been a Christian for 27 years and says he has been amazed at how God has worked in his life and the lives of his family. When he is not working Joel spends his time studying God's Word, spending time with his family, playing golf, painting, woodworking, and exercising.
One morning Justin woke to a conversation with his parents telling him that they were separating. It was one of the hardest conversations he has ever been a part of. Justin did not know who to blame so he just got mad at everyone. His anger started to cause him to act out at home and at school. His parents saw Justen heading down a bad path. They decided to reach out to Teen Challenge for help.
Justin resented his parents in the beginning for their choice. Through the course of the program, Justin's life was changed. His relationship with his family was restored. As Justin got closer to graduation he decided he wanted to come back and help other kids just like him. He graduated from the program, did a year internship, and came back as staff. He works as Direct Care, helping oversee evening schedule and activities.
Lindsey was born in Columbus, Georgia. In 1983 he went to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee where he earned a B.S. in Biblical Theology. Following his graduation, he and his wife founded a church where he was senior pastor for thirty years. While there, he earned a Master's in Theology from Beacon University. In 2015 he and his wife moved to Vero Beach, Florida continuing in ministry through mission work in Haiti. In 2018, he joined the team at the Ranch as a counselor. Employing 38 years of ministry experience, 34 years of marriage, raising 3 children to adulthood, and being a devoted Christian for 42 years, Lindsey offers a seasoned and empathetic biblical and pastoral approach to the young men and their families taking advantage of this compassionate opportunity at TCBA Vero Beach.
Samantha is a Florida native, growing up in Vero Beach until Her parents stepped into full-time missions. She has traveled to 3 continents and has been involved in ministry for her whole life. Samantha and her husband Victor met while working at a Christian summer camp and love to serve together. They know that it was God who brought them together and have dedicated their lives to serving the next generation. Samantha has a huge passion for seeing people become the best version of themselves through Christ, and she believes that in Christ there is hope and restoration for all people. Samantha is excited to be a part of the TCBA family and looks forward to seeing more lives transformed through the Teen Challenge Program.
Stacy is one of our English and History tutors at TBCA. Before moving to Florida in 2020, Stacy and her husband served as High School teachers at a Christian boarding school in Eastern Kentucky for 8 years. Stacy first heard the gospel at the age of 12 and committed her life to love and serve Christ. She enjoys working with children but her true passion is ministering to teens and encouraging youth to grow in their relationship with the Lord. Her time in the classroom has forged a love for young people and she feels blessed to work at TCBA. It has been a privilege to see the academic growth in her students at Teen Challenge.
Victor was born and raised in Central Florida. He grew up in Kissimmee amidst the hustle and bustle of Florida tourism. Trouble was never too far or hard to find. Sports kept him busy in high school and out of the worst of it all. After graduating, life took an interesting turn. Amidst family turmoil and divorces, Victor broke his ankle, derailing his plans for the future. He struggled with depression and anxiety until having an encounter with Jesus that changed him forever. After that, Victor gave his life to working with troubled youth like himself and has been doing so for the last six years. Victor worked with youth at Life for Youth Camp and interned at a local church before coming to work with Treasure Coast Academy. Victor is passionate for change in this generation and believes that it starts with our youth today. He loves to read in his free time and his friends would describe him as passionate and determined.