Our story.
People in Evansville struggle with financial, educational, relational, emotional, or spiritual barriers, causing adverse effects on their lives and those around them.
The Evansville Christian Life Center was formed over 30 years ago to help those struggling to get ahead and stay ahead. When a nearly 100-year-old monastery building was given to Bethel Church in 1986, our work of restoring people from need to potential in Christ began.
This work has grown to include hundreds of area churches, businesses, organizations, and thousands of individuals (like you!) who join together as volunteers, donors, clients, and staff to strengthen families with a stronger foundation.
Many who go through these services move forward and then make a difference in the lives around them.
Our mission.
The Evansville Christian Life Center is dedicated to the restoration of people.
Our mission is to make a life changing spiritual impact that will restore people to productive and independent living through Jesus Christ. By networking human and financial resources, our goal is to effectively meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of families and individuals.
Beliefs.
Everything we do is founded upon and fueled by the good news and love of Jesus Christ.
We also gratefully partner with those of varying beliefs.
As an organization, we subscribe to the following basic statement of faith as adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals.
Our Leadership

Katie Merrick Grunow Executive Director

Stephen Ralph Director of Anti-Poverty Initiatives

Madison Salamanca Marketing Manager

Sharon Taylor Director of Operations

Katie Sutton Development Associate

Gina Gibson Major Gifts Officer
Board of Directors

Julie Dingman Board President
Vice President of Ambulatory Practices and Chief Operating Officer, Deaconess Clinic

Terry Wheeler Former Board President
Senior Vice President – Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch

Ashley Green Board Vice President
Educator, Mentor, Volunteer

Joe Manzo Treasurer
Director of Finance – America Water

Holly Gillespie Board Secretary
Executive Director, First Christian Church, Newburgh

Jill Scholl
Information Security Director and Privacy Officer, Old National Bank

Brian Hancock
Senior Account Executive, EPIC Brokers

Jody Smith
828 Properties, LLC, President
Susan Brumley
Deaconess VP of Ancillary Services

Gregg Maurer
Director of Field Operations, Centerpoint Energy

Kyle Kempf
Commercial Loan Officer, Indiana Members Credit Union

Austin Graber
Harding & Shymanski
Emeritus Board Members:
E. LYNN JOHNSON, Retired: Bristol Meyers Squibb
STEVE BASS
REV. DAVID SCHWAMBACH, Pastor, Bethel Temple Church
STEVE GORMAN, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
C. MARK HUBBARD, President, Evansville Sheet Metal Works
JIM KECK, Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
ALI NIEMEIER, Inside Sales Representative, Berry Global
JANET HELDT BAAS, Retired Foundation President, SVP, Old National Bank
CHUCK ELLIOTT