13lifeministries.org
13lifeministries.org
Meet Our Team
Deb Gillespie
Deb
Debra Gillespie is a mother and aunt to many, an Army veteran, and a native of Walker County. She is a devoted follower of Jesus with a deep passion for people. As co-founder of 13 Life Ministries, her life stands as a powerful testimony of God’s redeeming grace. Jesus delivered her from abuse, addiction, anger, unforgiveness, rebellion, and a former lifestyle that led to self-sabotage, transforming her life from brokenness to hope and victory.
Today, Debra serves as a vital member of the rescue team, returning to the streets of Walker County to bring light, love, and restoration to those still hurting. With a compassionate heart and Christ-led spirit, she exemplifies how God can turn pain into purpose. Her journey inspires the mission of 13 Life Ministries: to bring freedom, healing, and new life to those who are lost and broken.
Christina Jordan
Christina
Christina Jordan is a redeemed daughter of God, loving wife, mom, spiritual mother, and founder of 13 Life Ministries. Once lost in addiction, abuse, and homelessness, she encountered the transforming love of Jesus in 2012 and discovered her calling through Desperation Church and Recovering Redemption. Today, Christina returns to the streets where she once suffered, bringing hope, healing, prayer, and the love of Christ to the homeless, recovery community, and the forgotten. Her mission is simple yet eternal: to serve, to embrace, to listen, to meet practical needs, build real relationships, and to remind every soul that they are seen, known, deeply loved and never beyond the reach of grace.. Her testimony is a living echo of 1 Corinthians 13:13—abiding faith, enduring hope, and Love, the greatest of all Love.
Terry Ward
Terry
Terry Ward is a devoted wife, mother, and great-grandmother who has a passion for sharing the hope that Jesus brings. A retired nurse, Terry has carried her heart for service far beyond the walls of a hospital, dedicating herself to ministering to those in need with tireless love. For six years, she served at The Field house for the Homeless in Hattiesburg, MS, and for eight years, she has been a guiding presence as a jail minister with WCSO, bringing hope to the incarcerated. Terry is an active member of Desperation Church and is deeply involved with Recovering Redemption Ministry as well as the 13 Life Ministry, and holds certification as an FBSS. Her call to missions has taken her across the globe, and she has served as a short-term missionary to Brazil with Pioneer Missions Global for 15 years. Terry’s life is a living testimony of faith in action—an evangelist whose excitement for Christ and genuine compassion ignite hearts wherever she goes.
Mike Jones
Mike
Mike Jones is a devoted servant of Christ and a compassionate leader in mobile outreach ministry, faithfully serving the homeless, recovery community, and veterans throughout our region. A loving father, grandfather of six, and great-grandfather to eight, he is also a spiritual father and mentor to many. Mike is a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran whose life was transformed when he met Jesus at 19 years old. He went on to serve as a youth pastor from 1970–1972 and has continued as a bivocational minister and dedicated prison ministry leader. With a heart that reflects the love and humility of Jesus, Mike leads discipleship efforts, supports those rebuilding their lives, and tirelessly brings hope, dignity, and the gospel to the streets and those most in need.
Michelle Mobley
Michelle
Michelle Mobley’s life was transformed when Jesus set her free in March 2022 from depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and the anger she carried from past trauma. Though she initially found peace in Christ, she still felt lost—until God’s persistent call to connect, learn, grow, and serve led her on a journey from Washington to her family roots in Walker County, Alabama. In January 2023, she joined Desperation Church and became active in community groups, including Recovering Redemption, where she connected with mentors and discovered 13 Life Ministries, Inc. Through these experiences, Michelle not only walked into her own healing but also found her purpose: helping others experience freedom, hope, and restoration in Jesus. She is passionate about praying, loving people where they are, and trusting God to do the rest. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” — Luke 19:10
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