Fresh Start Ministries-About Us

Mission Statement:

To reach "At Risk" men, women and youth in our communities, whose lives have been shattered because of addictions, abuse, and criminal involvement and help them to become successful, productive members of our society.  

 Objectives:  

Fresh Start Ministries has two objectives:

The first is to provide life-changing programs and services for At Risk Youth and Adults to help them become successful, productive citizens in our community.

The second objective is to develop a strong residential discipleship training Home which provides a safe, loving environment where people are taught necessary living skills and accountability.  Fresh Start provides its clients with a network of support and encouragement that enables them to become a productive and functioning part of society.

Our desire is to see all those who enter the Fresh Start Ministries home to be radically changed by the love and training offered.

Nancy Ferguson, Executive Director/Founder

Nancy Ferguson has been involved in Jail ministry for nearly 25 years.

She received the 2005 "Volunteer of the Year" award from the Northwest Region Department of Corrections for her work with the ex-offenders. Nancy has also been honored with a commendation from Governor Christine Gregoire which read, "I am tremendously impressed with how you have used your talents to better the lives of others. You have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence and serve as a model for how to contribute to your profession and the public. The people of Washington are extremely fortunate to have you working on their behalf."

Department of Corrections Secretary Harold Clark has also commended her work, stating that "Your volunteer time enhances community safety through offender accountability and encourages community partnerships through your outreach with local churches and other community members. You are seen as dedicated, dependable, and vigilant in your involvement with offenders, staff, and community members."

In 2005, Bank of America awarded Nancy the "Local Hero" award for the State of Washington, which included a $5,000 grant for Fresh Start Ministries.  Nancy is known for her ability to show grace and love while holding people accountable. 

 

Mark Christie, Board President

Lives in McKinney, TX with his wife and three children, Annette, Greer & Markus and his mother Mary Christie. He is a graduate of Kingswood-Oxford School, a private college preparatory school; he received a BA from Hampton University and. Went on to Columbia University Graduate School of Business, where he received degrees in finance. He has also done ministry training at Oral Roberts University. He continues to develop his leadership skills leadership skills under the mentorship and training of Dr. Myles Munroe, one of the world’s pre-eminent scholars in Biblical leadership principles.

Mark founded PCI, a sports and entertainment management company that employed the team approach to client management. In 5 years Mark had established a client list to include NBA players like Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Allen Iverson and Major League Baseball player Ricky Bottalico.

In 2001 he founded Zoë Consulting, Inc. a consulting and advisory firm, which has now grown to include Zoë Group, Inc. a business enterprise and real estate asset development company.

 

Lisa Darden, Board Member

Is a mother of two and an advocate for adoption and children with special needs is described as a visionary with a huge heart.  Her passion and love for at-risk youth began at the age of 20 with an opportunity to work at The Dale House Project, a faith-based group home specializing in preparing teens to transition into adult life.

Though Lisa's heart has always remained connected to teens in foster care and youth corrections, her other areas of experience include teaching driver's education, leading youth ministry, mentoring high school and college students, running a small art business, and working for PEAK, a non-profit organization focused on assisting families of children with disabilities. Her dream is to create a place where at-risk teens have the opportunity to encounter God while discovering their purpose and being encouraged to make their dreams reality.

Andrea Christie, Board Member

Lives in McKinney, TX with her husband, Mark, their three children and her mother-in-law, Mary.  Andrea graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Mass Media Arts and a minor in marketing and received a Masters in Management degree in Marketing from Northwestern University. She worked for Johnson & Johnson for 11 years – receiving several awards during her time there. Andrea has been involved in community service through tutoring underprivileged children, her involvement with the American Red Cross, as a volunteer for the Bright Spaces Project.

 

Carolyn Stokes, Board Member

A native of Michigan, Carolyn Stokes is an entrepreneur and dedicated to improving her community.  With a background in photography, she is the owner and principal photographer for Photography in Seattle.  She is also a franchise owner for MarketAmerica.com. 

Among her other interests, Carolyn has taught yoga and loves art and cooking.  She and her husband recently welcomed a new addition to their family, Weston Alexander Stokes.

 

Brett Stokes, Board Member

Biography coming soon.

Troy Cecsarini, Board Member

Troy's photo is coming soon.

Troy is a graduate of Fresh Start.  His first encounter with us was through the transitions class at the Department of Corrections in 2003.  After two stints in prison with multiple felony charges stemming from his drug addiction, he humbled himself and asked for help and mentorship.  Troy has now gained custody of his teenage son, who is doing well in school and learning from his father what it means to be open, honest and vulnerable.  Troy’s has gained great strength by rebuilding his family.  He has established his own business, AHP Custom Construction, and is a licensed general contractor.

Troy is very involved in the running of the mens home and his background has proven to be extremely valuable to Fresh Start.

 Michael Johnson, Board Member

Michael retired in 2006 after serving in the Military for 28 years. He graduated June 2009 from Faith Evangelical Seminary with Masters in Divinity and Global Leadership, and has reentered to begin his doctorate work for Strategic Leadership and certification as a Transformational Life Coach. He has served with numerous ministries and recently completed the one year internship with the International House of Prayer for Intercessory Prayer.

Through his recent journey the Lord has been demonstrating a deeper understanding of a shift from out of the Head and into the Heart. He desires to share this process with others while they encounter God at deeper levels, and fully know the value of which they were created. His passion is to minster to military service personnel and inmates, by encouraging them to realize their potential and created gifts. He is developing programs for discipleship and mentorship to empower and encourage personal growth through encountering God and being set Free.

He is currently in the process of developing Depot Ministries which is defined as a strategically deployed, forward based element to support and deploy personnel and equipment into a battle. To recover that which was damaged and/or destroyed, to recover, repair and reestablish to its original design and purpose, prepared to reenter into the fight… Which is to set the captives free and heal the broken hearted to expand the Kingdom of God.