Meet Our Team
Missy Freehling - Executive Director
I am the founder of Raise Up for Christ, Inc. This ministry is a calling that God has placed on my life. It was given to me in a vision in 2011, which became a reality in June of 2015. I am so honored and privileged to be a part of these children's lives. I desired to have children for many years; however, God had a better plan. I get to love each one of the children that attend Raise Up, as if they were my own. I love teaching them about Jesus and watching them learn and grow! God has been so faithful in leading the way and providing for this ministry. I am excited to see what else He has in store!! I have a wonderful husband Chris and my one and only fur child Chase. In our free time, we love to swim and camp. Angelica Schooley - Assistant Director
My name is Angelica Schooley and I earned a bachelor of science degree from The Ohio State University. I have worked as a teacher at The Ohio State University Childcare Program for over six years and became a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children during my time there. I have a wonderful husband, Chad and three beautiful children, Vanessa and Vincent and Vance! I enjoy spending time with friends and family, as well as, volunteering in my local community and for other charitable organizations. I have always believed that investing time in the lives of children is one of the greatest gifts we can ever give to our children, ourselves and our community as a whole. Being able to foster the growth and development of children has been one of my greatest achievements. I hope to continuously inspire and teach the Lord’s will to His children through my work here at Raise Up Christian Childcare. God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to work for such an amazing ministry. Treva Doctor - Curriculum Coordinator
My name is Treva Doctor and I live in Harlan with my amazing husband Gerry and our three beautiful children Ethan, Mason and Luke. I taught preschool for ten years before joining the Raise Up family. Along with teaching at Raise Up, I am an active member and the nursery director at our church. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my boys, gardening and reading a good book. My joy and love of teaching children has lead me to have the incredible opportunity to create the curriculum for our program. I could not be more blessed to have this chance, and I hope to make a positive impact on each of the children in my care. I love that I get to be a part of so many children’s lives, and teach them, not only academics, but the love of Jesus Christ. I absolutely love what I do! The children bring a smile to my face every time I walk into the door. Every hug, every smile, every loving word from a child means so much to me, and I hope to bring Christ’s love to all those I meet. Anna Elwood-Food Service Manager
My name is Anna Elwood and I am the cook for Raise Up Daycare. My husband Kenny and I live in Woodburn with our children, Mckenna-13, Will-12, Leah-11, and Kyra-8. Before working at the daycare, I worked at Woodlan High School in the kitchen for seven years. Shonda Eicher - Blossoms 1
I have the privilege of spending my day with our infants! I've worked in childcare since 2014 mainly with infants and toddlers. I worked at 1 daycare prior to Raise Up. Growing up I was the only child but I spent a lot of time with my cousins and their children. I got married in 2015 to my husband Tanner. We have a German Shepherd Kaiya. We are also Sunday School Teachers to the 1st & 2nd graders at our Church, The Ekklesia in Harlan. We love spending time with family and friends. Jasmine Howell - Blossoms 1
I am married and have one daughter. I moved to Harlan in the summer of 2018 from West Virginia to be with my husband's family. I worked at a daycare in West Virginia while going to school for accounting. After working with children, I decided to change my degree to Early Childhood. Alyssa Gingerich - Blossoms 2
My name is Alyssa Gingerich. I have worked at Raise Up for 2 years. Before Raise Up, I worked at Little Blessings Daycare for 2 years and then was a nanny for a year and a half. I nannied for a missionary couple in Cambodia who had twin boys. I've known for a very long time that I was called to work with children. God has given me a passion for children and helping them grow and learn both physically and spiritually. I also studied Early Childhood education for a year at Ivy Tech and am thankful for the knowledge I gained there. I enjoy photography, playing piano, and spending time with my family and friends! Riana Yoder - Blossoms 2
I live in Hicksville Ohio with my parents. I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters. I also have 5 nephews and 2 nieces and I love to spend time with them when I can. I attend the Hicksville Mennonite Church and I really enjoy being a part of the worship team. Every month we provide a free community meal, that I enjoy helping with and being a part of. Some things I enjoy doing outside of work are traveling, being with family, art, music, and gardening. Childcare has always been a passion for me. I was a self-employed childcare provider or many years and worked at one other daycare prior to Raise Up. I felt the call of God to take a break from childcare for awhile. During that time He lead me to serve as a secretary for a prison ministry for 2 years. After returning home, while I was looking for another job, a good friend told me about Raise Up. I've been working here since! Ruth Lengacher - Blossoms Float
Ciara Wallace - Acorns
Alyson Miller - Acorns & Food Service
My name is Alyson Miller! I’m one of the one year old teachers and I get to help make the meals for all the children and staff! I love both of my positions here at Raise Up! I graduated from Woodlan High School in 2014. I graduated from Ivy Tech in 2017 with a degree in Culinary Arts. I am currently doing online school at IU East to receive my Bachelors in Business Administration. I love volunteering to work with children at my church, hanging out with my family and dogs. And I love traveling! Emily Trimbur - Acorns
Kaylen Bontrager - Seedlings 1
Hi, my name is Kaylen Bontrager When I was younger I felt the call of God on my life to work and be in ministry with children. I have always had a passion to love those children that don't know what true love is. After high school God completely opened the doors for me! Raise Up Christian childcare opened one month after I graduated high school. One thing I want every child I encounter to grasp is the love of their heavenly Father. I want them to know and feel accepted, cherished and special! I attended Woodburn Elementary and Harlan Christian School until I began homeschooling from 6th grade to 12th grade! As of right now I am not taking college classes. I would love to become involved in interior design. I have attended The Ekklesia in Harlan, formally Sunrise Chapel. since I was a baby! I am so blessed by my church family! In my free time I love to paint and do art. I love spending time with my family and friends, especially my fiance'! :) Someday I hope to raise my own family and continue doing mission work! I am open to go where God calls me and cannot wait to see what that will be! Rebekah Graber - Seedlings 1 I've worked with children over the last several years during our church's Leaders Alive Conference. During that time I realized that I really enjoy working with children. I love seeing them smile and laugh as they have fun playing and learning. I believe that's what made me want to work at Raise Up, to be able to work with kids and see them smile, laugh, and just have fun. I'm very happy to be able to work with the kids at Raise Up. Caitlin Patrick-Seedlings 1
I'm a born again Christian blessed with a wonderful husband and step-son of whom I spend my free time with exploring the outdoors. I always had a desire to help people which is why I went to school and received my Emergency Medical Technician certification. I no longer hold my certification, but it opened up amazing opportunities that led me to where I am today. I'm excited to be a part of your child's growth and am always happy to answer any questions. Brooke Jackson - Seedlings 2
Stephanie Nott - Saplings 2
Hello my name is Stephanie Nott! I come from a family of five. I have an amazing mom and dad and two sisters and I'm the baby of the family! Growing up I went to Woodburn Elementary for kindergarten through 6th grade and then I moved up to Woodlan Jr./Sr. High School for 7th-12th! Through high school I was involved in cross country, and track! I also participated in the service club! Outside of school I was very involved in youth group at my home church Woodburn Missionary! After graduating I was really uncertain of what it was I wanted to do so I waited on college and just started working! I worked a couple part time jobs such as a waitress and a cashier at Michaels craft store! I also did some child care for some friends from church! I really wasn't sure where God was going to lead me and then He opened the door to Raise Up. I have always had a passion for children! Teaching them and loving on them is what brings me joy! I was so excited when I found out not only did I get to teach them but I got to teach them about Jesus! I love watching them grow and start to say some of their first words and kinda figure out what this whole life is about! When I'm not blowing bubbles with these adorable babies I focus a lot on something called campus life! Campus life is an organization that allows us to get together with some kids and build relationships and have talks revolving around God into the schools! It's a safe place for students to come and share life experiences and ask question and learn about this awesome God we serve for maybe the first time in their lives! I volunteer for the high school campus life program at Woodlan and I have the privilege of leading the Jr. High campus life program with a great group of high school kids helping me at Woodlan as well! I hang out with friend often to pass the time too! I love to be outside whenever it's possible! Another hobby is going to camp! Each summer I'm a counselor for a Missionary Church camp and it's one of my favorite things in the world to do! I get to just hang out and do life with a bunch of middle schoolers for a week! I'm always keeping busy and finding new adventures! I'm not sure what God has for me next but I know if He's leading me that it will be something awesome! Kate Schmidt - Saplings 1
Erin McDowell - Seedlings 2
My name is Erin McDowell. I got married at the beginning of this year and I'm a junior at Purdue Fort Wayne. I'm studying Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I grew up going to church, however my faith grew strong when I turned 18 and started to do things on my own. I hope to always incorporate my faith and love of Jesus in the classroom to be a model for each child! Brianna Brown - Saplings 2
My name is Brianna Miller and I graduated in 2015 from Harlan Christian School. I have had the privilege of working in childcare for the past three years with a focus on preschool and school age education. I enjoy every moment of time that I can spend with those that mean the most to me; especially my family, friends and my boyfriend of two years, Thomas. I am an active member of the Woodburn Missionary Church, and an avid foodie! I love trying new foods and eating at various restaurants. I also enjoy bonfires, fishing, and shopping! My hope for the children at Raise Up is that I can provide for them the greatest quality of care and education possible. It has been a blessing to work with so many wonderful children and parents. I hope to always be a window of Christ’s love for the children in my care and that through me they will come to know the love of our Savior. Becky Simmons - Saplings Float
I have worked with children in a variety of settings in elementary schools, libraries, and preschool for 10 years. I have a degree in elementary education from Taylor University. I enjoy reading, baking, doing crafts, watching movies, and spending time with my family and pets. I love children and teaching them and making a difference in their lives for Jesus and His kingdom. Tori Bell - Oaks (Summer Break)
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