SHINE is a coming together of imperfect individuals just trying to be obedient. It’s an outlet to connect. Connect ministries to places they can help. Connect people to causes. Connect children, despite their circumstances to hope. Doing it all in a way that the Glory and Honor is shined on the only one that deserves it. Our One True King!
SHINE CORE VALUES
1. Compassion: We must care for others deeply with the purest of motivations and be willing to give of ourselves to help those in need. Philippians 2:1-3
2. Integrity: We will uphold the highest level of ethics and honesty in our interactions with one another and others. We hold ourselves and those we interact with to a high level of accountability to do what is right in all situations. 2 Corinthians 8:21, 2 Timothy 2:15
3. Christ Centered: Jesus is the center of all we accomplish and do through SHINE. Ephesians 2:19-20
4. Courageous: When things seem beyond what our minds can fathom SHINE stands on God’s word to not fear any challenge that may arise but to take courage in what God leads us to. He WILL provide. Mathew 14:27
5. Mission Minded: We believe we are to unite in one accord with our partners in order to bring the hope of Jesus to those we minister to.
Acts 4:32-35
6. Endurance: We know the Lord has a unique plan for our lives. No matter the challenges and disappointments we choose to look to God and never allow them to steal our confidence or enthusiasm in Him. Romans 12:12
Jeff Bell
A Florida native, Jeff Bell, married his wife in 2015, and currently has the privilege to help raise his 11-year-old sister-in-law and by the time you read this will have welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Nora Jane, into the world. Born and raised in a Christian family he made the decision to follow Christ at an early age.
He has worked in a family run business since 2010, that has been helping people during some of the most difficult times of their lives for the past 30 years. Spending time with his family and extended family, traveling, ministering locally and overseas, and anything outdoors are some of things that brings him true joy.
He has visited many places and God has blessed him with many family relationships in different countries. In particular he has felt a huge calling to Haiti and has been going steadily since 2010, shortly after the earthquake. Connecting with non-profits and ministries, including two very special children’s homes in Gonaives. Watching the children grow every year and their smiles despite their circumstances has been life changing for him. Knowing the struggles and lack of opportunities they will have as they get older has been heartbreaking.
SHINE wasn’t started by any one individual, it truly was a coming together of imperfect individuals just trying to be obedient. It’s an outlet to connect. Connect ministries to places they can help. Connect people to causes. Connect children, despite their circumstances to hope. Doing it all in a way that the Glory and Honor is shined on the only one that deserves it. Our One True King!.
Hannah McClain
Hannah McClain, wife, mother of three beautiful children has always loved people and caring for them is her passion. Hannah always dreamed of working on missions in a foreign since she was a child, however not until about ten years ago did that dream become a reality. Hannah’s first mission trip abroad was to Poland, what an adventure, not only to bring The Word to that country, but it was that trip where Hannah found what she had been searching for all along, ministering to people in other countries and loving them well. After the Poland trip, Hannah went on several mission trips with her husband to Nicaragua where they were a part of a well drilling and personal hygiene team, this was such a great time of learning and loving on people. During one of the trips Jeff Bell told Hannah that she really should go to Haiti. In the spring of 2017 Hannah, along with her daughter Addie and a team of local people went to Haiti. On a bus ride in the country is where Hannah felt the calling and Jeff and Hannah agreed to make Shine a reality.
When Hannah is not traveling for Shine on mission trips, she loves to spend time with her husband Wes, her daughter Addie (14) and her twins Whitney (9) and John Wayne (9). She also loves working in her garden, traveling to horse shows to watch her daughter Addie show and sleeping, which there never seems to be enough hour s in a day to get in a good nap. Hannah’s love for people is her true passion and her mission in life, is to love people the best way she knows how regardless of where they have been, what they are doing or what road they may be traveling.
Steve Whitaker
Steve has been married for 32 years to his wife Susan and they have three children, Shelly the youngest, Kylar the middle, and Matthew the oldest. He and Susan attend Heritage Community Church in Fruitland park Fl.
Steve has been serving with overseas missions since 1997, traveling to areas such as Brazil, Haiti, Africa, Romania, Mexico, Nicaragua and Canada. Steve served with the Wilkes foundation for several years and then transitioned to youth missions coordinator at First baptist Church Leesburg for several years. He is currently serving in the country of Haiti one week out of each month in the fishing community of Bethel and attends Heritage Community Church in Fruitland Park Fl.
Steve has developed a love for serving no matter where he is at wether at home or overseas and has a love for the Lord. Steve did not coin the phrase “Be Flexible” but that is the phrase he uses when leading teams in the Lord’s work.
Scott Renick
Scott Renick is the husband of 19 years to a wonderful woman, father of 2 teenagers, a repentant sinner & flawed human being who is being slowly sanctified by Christ daily.
He spent his life in church “knowing” God. Despite being brought up by great parents he spent many years making selfish, destructive and hurtful choices. Thankfully God put strong leaders in his path that led Scott to back to Him when he was a young adult.
By the world’s standards Scott has been successful in the commercial real estate business & acquired more stuff than he’d ever need. He spent years chasing significance in racing triathlons, amassing many Ironman finishes.
On a mission trip with his children to Haiti his family fell in love and had their hearts broken at the same time. Scott accepted an invitation and calling to join the board of directors for SHINE in early April 2018 and has been consumed with strengthening, safeguarding & expanding its mission ever since.
Scott’s current favorite quote is from D.L. Moody who said “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.”
Marnie Miller
Marnie Miller has spent the past 15 years as an educator at The Villages Charter School, but her heart has always been in missions whether home or abroad. She and husband, Pastor Tim Miller of United Community Fellowship, have been touching lives since 1994 when their ministry began.
They have two children, Noah and Sadie. Noah and Sadie are following in their parents’ footsteps, Noah is one of the keyboardists in the church band and Sadie is on the worship team. Both of them are teachers in the children’s department.
Marnie said “The Story of the Starfish” expresses her heart like none other.
An elderly man was walking down the beach when he saw a young man in the distance. As he approached the young man, he saw he was stooping down to pick up a starfish and then tossing it into the ocean.
The man was amazed and asked the young man, “What are you doing?” The young man replied, “The sun is coming up and the tide is out. These starfish cannot get back into the ocean without help.”
The man couldn’t help but consider and voice his opinion to the young man’s futility in trying to save the thousands of starfish stranded on the beach that morning. He said, “You can’t possibly make a difference!”
The young man respectfully listened to the elderly man as he bent down for yet another starfish. He threw it back into the ocean and said, “It made a difference to that one.”
Marnie’s heart’s desire is to do more. While she may not be able to reach and help everyone, she is more than willing to make a difference to at least one today and one tomorrow and one each day in the many days to come. And as she helps one, that one in turn can help another. And together, they can make a difference to many!