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We Work to Change a Child's Future

We Work to Change a Child's Future

Who We Are

Our Mission at BCH

We provide holistic Christian care to families in crisis, restoring hope through Christ so children, families, and communities are healed, strengthened, and empowered to help themselves and others.

We exist to help restore God’s design for family and community. As followers of Christ, we believe that family extends beyond biology — it is the network of relationships we build within the body of believers. Through this spiritual family, God heals and restores broken homes and hurting hearts. His redemptive love has the power to bring lasting transformation.

Our desire is to see children and parents live out their God-given purpose and reach their full potential. We do this by empowering families and connecting them to a supportive community through trusted partners, local churches, and community resource providers that offer educational opportunities, healthcare access, socioeconomic support, and more. In circumstances where parents are unable to provide a safe and loving home, others in the community may be called to step in, short or long-term, to open their hearts and homes, and expand their family through love.

Our Articles of Faith


At Bringing Children Hope, everything we do flows from our belief in God’s Word and His redeeming love through Jesus Christ.

We invite you to read through our Articles of Faith to better understand who we are and what we believe.

As you do, you’ll see how Scripture, the Gospel, and the promises of God shape every aspect of our ministry.

Want to learn more about Bringing Children Hope? Click the button below to contact us.

We would love to share how Scripture, the Gospel, and the promises of God shape every part of our ministry.

Contact Us Button


Our Staff

Meet Our Team

Craig Freyenberger, CEO
Craig Freyenberger
CEO
[email protected]
About Craig

Craig began with BCH in 2015 as the assistant treasurer. In March 2025, Craig was officially appointed CEO. Craig says, “BCH has been a huge blessing in my life! Not only does the ministry of BCH enrich the lives that we help, it also has helped me grow spiritually over the span of my time here. I am honored to work at a place where the staff can pray and work in an office community where we feel like family. I am blessed to have a great BCH team around me, and I enjoy getting to travel the world to encourage our brothers and sisters who are caring for children in other countries.”

Craig grew up in Kouts, IN, which is the hometown of the first group home of BCH. He graduated from Taylor University with a BS degree in Management. He live in Valparaiso, IN with his wife of 15 years, Rachel, and four boys: Luke, Joel, Adam, and Noah. Craig is a member of Calvary Church in Valparaiso, teaching a pre-k room on Sundays and leading a small group during the week. He enjoys playing sports with his sons and traveling to new places.

Melissa Demopoulos
Melissa Demopoulos
COO
[email protected]
About Melissa

Melissa is a purpose-driven leader with cross-sector experience spanning nonprofit and for-profit industries. Her career path has covered multiple domains, equipping her to adapt, connect and lead with insight across functions. She is best known for her ability to take bold vision and translate it into clear, actionable strategies. Melissa brings a trauma-informed lens to her leadership, equipping teams and organizations to serve with excellence and compassion.

She has worked on the frontlines of anti-trafficking and poverty alleviation efforts locally and globally, trained churches internationally in trauma-informed care, and continues to advocate for child protection and the flourishing of the most vulnerable. Having traveled to 15 countries (and counting), Melissa carries a deep love for global missions and a heart that beats for the marginalized. Grounded in the biblical call to care for orphans and widows, she is a bridge builder, strategist, and servant-leader who operates with conviction and passion in everything she does.

When she’s not globe-trotting, Melissa can be found reading, gardening, hiking the trails of Indiana Dunes State Park with her sweet pup Winston, or planning her next epic road trip to explore America’s national parks—18 down, and several to go. A self-proclaimed seeker of beauty and belly laughs, she finds joy in the wild, the wonder-filled, and the deeply human moments that make life rich and meaningful.

Debby Stowers
Debby Stowers
Director of Marketing
[email protected]
About Debby
Debby enjoys life with her husband Dwight, of almost 30 years and their two adult children, Kyle and Emmie. She is a Purdue graduate, but most importantly a lifelong children’s and women’s ministry leader. What Debby likes most about working at BCH is how everything we do impacts the lives of children and families. We all have unique gifts and talents given by the Father and she feels very blessed to use her God-given creativity and communication skills for His Glory! In her spare time, Debby enjoys being creative and sharing time and laughter with her family and friends.
Tracy Bucher
Tracy Bucher
Director of US ministry
[email protected]
About Tracy
Tracy and her husband are parents to 5 grown children and grands to 4 littles. She comes to us with a unique skill set, having served with her family taking care of children in Porter County for decades. She is passionate about being part of a team that has a goal of Bringing Children Hope during some very difficult life circumstances. Restoration of families is paramount in our mission.
 
Dawn Loftis
Executive Assistant
dawn@bch-inc.org
About Dawn
I have been with BCH since 1983, but my actual link goes back much further.  My grandparents were relief houseparents at the original group home in Kouts, Indiana before I was born.  The girls from the home made me a baby blanket.  Growing up in the area at Calvary Baptist Church in Valparaiso the Children’s Home was always a part of my life.  Having BCH kids in my Sunday School and Children’s Church classes kept me close to the ministry.  I graduated from Calumet Baptist in Griffith and attended Liberty University before getting married.  The Lord has blessed me with a son and daughter-in-law, who live in the area.
My love for children has been a wonderful fit for me to serve at Bringing Children Hope.  I have been blessed to place hundreds of children in temporary loving homes with amazing families. An added blessing is being able to keep in touch with some of the families we’ve helped over the years.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking and baking as well as traveling with friends.  I recently brought a puppy home.  Walking and playing with her keeps me very busy too.
Kortney Persuhn
Kortney Persuhn
Family Advocate
[email protected]
About Kortney
Kortney joined Bringing Children Hope after graduating with her Social Work degree. Before working at BCH she worked with domestic violence survivors and with women in recovery. Through her previous work experience, she realized how powerful connections are. Kortney wants all of her clients to feel seen and valued. One of her favorite parts about working at BCH is having personal one-on-one conversations with mothers. Kortney can see someone's heart behind all of the hurt and trauma. Kortney strongly believes that God can empower and encourage mothers in hard places. 
 
 In her personal life, Kortney is married to her high school sweetheart and they have a child together. She enjoys being with family, going on walks, reading, and listening to worship music.
 
Monica Ball
Monica Ball
Family Advocate
[email protected]
About Monica

Monica is the newest member to our team, joining us in February 2025. She has faithfully served children and their families in different capacities throughout most of her life. She believes her experiences and encounters have helped to prepare her for this new position and all that it holds. “Being able to come alongside a family who is experiencing a crisis and give them hope is one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever had. There are so many hurting people in this world that need to know they are loved and have a purpose.”

Monica and her husband have three adult children and four grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going on adventures with her husband and working in her flowerbeds.

Craig & Priscila Manago
Wayne & Priscilla Manago
BCH Representatives
[email protected] & [email protected]
About Wayne and Priscilla
Wayne and Priscilla moved to Valparaiso and joined the BCH team after 43 years in pastoral ministry. They will represent BCH at churches and various conferences along with working in the office part-time.  
Wayne was saved through the ministry of BCH as a teen. He attended junior and senior high school with some of the BCH teens in Kouts. It was through their friendship that he attended First Baptist Church, Kouts, and saw his need for a Savior.  
After Wayne and Priscilla were married, Priscilla worked in the BCH home office, and they were occasional relief houseparents. They were also youth leaders at FBC to many of the teens from BCH. She is enjoying being back in the BCH office.
Wayne and Priscilla have been married 43 years and have five married children and eleven grandchildren. They enjoy reading, taking walks, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Branda Helmbrecht
Treasurer
[email protected]
About Branda

I have been married for 34 years to my husband Cory and we have 3 terrific adult children:Michael, Tyler, and Emma. We also have 3 adorable grand children Cooper, River and Eloise. My family is the most important thing to me. I love spending time with my entire family and I enjoy the outdoors. I am new to BCH, however, a Christian non -profit veteran of 10 plus years. I am thrilled to be here at BCH!

Jen Owens, Marketing Assistant
Jen Owens
Marketing Assistant
[email protected]
About Jen
Jen Owens serves as a Marketing Assistant at BCH, where she combines her creativity and passion for graphic design to support the organization’s mission. With nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit work, Jen is deeply committed to helping vulnerable children, inspired by her own journey as an adoptive parent both internationally and within the United States. Guided by her love for God and His will, she embraces the call to serve those in need.

Jen’s heart is reflected in Psalm 82:3, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed,” which continues to inspire her dedication to making a meaningful difference in children’s lives.