Since 2010, Jodi Burns has served as the Executive Director of Heart of Hope. Jodi has presented to over 200 churches and organizations since becoming the Executive Director. Jodi serves on the National Christian Housing Conference Board and has led workshops and been the Keynote Speaker at Pro-life organizations and events. Since Jodi has experienced unplanned pregnancy in her own family, she recognizes the blessed opportunity that God has given her to share the healing power of God's love and faithfulness with the young ladies who choose Heart of Hope as their home away from home. Jodi and her husband of 30 years, David, reside in Shreveport, Louisiana and their daughter and son-in-love have given them four grandchildren.

January 1, 1990 is when Rochelle Bledsoe moved to Shreveport, La from Gardena, Ca. With this dramatic change in life, Rochelle had no idea what God had in store for her. She knew this, God was going to use her for His Glory. Her home church is Life United under the teachings of Pastor Sam Carr where she serves in the choir, as a greeter and children's church.

"For me, serving God is an honor and His reward is His promise."

Rochelle brings 25 years of administrative experience to Heart of Hope where she serves as the Adminstrative Assistant. You can hear singing songs down the hall when she needs to rehearse for choir.

Her goal in life is to serve God with all her heart, mind and soul with the Spirit of Excellence. "When I serve and follow God, everything else just falls into place".

Rochelle's favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 - "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Rochelle applies that to her professional, spiritual and personal life.

Tony and Leah Gideon met as missionaries on the fields of Africa. They bring decades of ministry leadership to their houseparent role at Heart of Hope. Tony is a seasoned Pastor, Leader, Manager, Teacher, Missionary, offering over 25 years’ experience in pastoral care, spiritual leadership, and management among various age groups within churches, schools, ministries, hospitals, and overseas missions. Leah’s dedication to her relationship with Jesus is reflected in all areas of her lifestyle with genuine care and concern for people. She has served women and newborns as a Registered Nurse in the UK. She is a Leader, Teacher, Overseas Missionary, also offering over 20 years’ experience in pastoral care, spiritual leadership, and management in cross-cultural missions.

Tony and Leah’s mission and vision for the Home at Heart of Hope shares their heart best:

Our mission

While at Heart of Hope it is our goal that each girl in our care be directly influenced and effected by the Word of God and the manifest presence of God. We will continually choose to be agents of change, bearers of peace, sources of security, voices of blessing, and presenters of joy. We will demonstrate love and make room for a move of God in the lives of the girls; and the generations they carry, as we shepherd them, and other staff, as we work alongside them.

Our home vision

Our home is a place where all feel loved, seen, and know. We will honor Jesus in all we do and allow His presence to fill our rooms and our hearts. While the world may bring hurt, pain, and confusion, we believe that in our home all will experience love, peace, and hope. God is good and life should be enjoyed, therefore we will laugh a lot and have fun! This house will be a place of safety and security, where family is cherished, and everyone has a place to belong.

Joy Whorton has served at non-profits or on staff with local churches for over 20 years. At the age of 17 she surrendered her life to full-time vocational ministry. As a follower of Jesus Christ, she believes that every person is called to full-time ministry; it just looks different for each one of us. Joy graduated with a degree in Practical Ministry from Brownsville College in Pensacola, Florida.

She has served as a case manager and director at non-profits that advocate for women, and she is passionate about women experiencing the love of Jesus and finding their identity in God. 

One of Joy's favorite verses is "Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

Her prayer is that until her last breath, she can share the hope she has found in God with every person she meets. Jesus truly changes EVERYTHING!

Jenny was born and raised in South Louisiana. As a ministry family, her family moved to Shreveport in 1993 where her parents would pastor The Healing Place for the next 15 years. Over the next few years, Jenny’s calling to serve and encourage people began to blossom. She married her first love, Matt Moreno, in 1997 and they spent the next two years serving students and young adults in Kailua, HI.

Upon her return to Shreveport in 1999, she entered the dental field and continued her ministry journey serving babies, kids, students, young adults, and ladies at The Healing Place. She also used her gift of handling finance at her church by serving as the bookkeeper for many years.

Understanding the importance of being a mom, Jenny chose to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool their son, Caleb, until he graduated high school. She entered the dental field once more and recently received her diploma from Penn Foster College for completing a program of study in bookkeeping before God opened a door for her to serve young ladies and children at Heart of Hope.

She has a heart to follow after Jesus, a desire to serve people, and a knack for bringing the peace of God wherever His Holy Spirit leads her.

After graduating Northwestern State College in 1969, I married and moved to Shreveport to start married life and a teaching career. During these early years, I had two children, boy and girl, and I managed to earn a Master’s Degree in counseling. Several years prior to retirement, I started praying. Didn’t know what, didn’t know where…just knew He had a retirement plan for me! I prayed daily going and coming from work, believed in him and waited on His perfect timing. “God call on You to hear me, I know You will answer me in your time; hear my prayer, O God.” He did, of course! Better yet, He didn’t want me to miss His answer! It was displayed on a billboard on Walker Road near Mackey Lane – HEART OF HOPE – HELP FOR YOUNG LADIES DURING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES. When the first girls arrived in December 2010, I was in and remain in the classroom today. What may not have been important prior to pregnancy and arriving at HofH often changes. School becomes very important to each and a main concern is not going to the next grade. This is God’s plan for keeping me busy during retirement. All my girls are so special to me. They are not just any young lady; they are a part of me and will always be a part of me.

Hannah has a bachelors degree in psychology and a huge passion for event planning and ministry. Ministry is an active part of Hannah’s life not only here at Heart of Hope, but also in the youth ministry at Bethany Baptist Church along with her husband, Sam Haggard, who is the Youth Pastor. Sam and Hannah will have been married two years August 21st. August will be a busy month as they are expecting their first baby! Even with so many new adventures on the horizon, Hannah’s ultimate goal remains the same. She strives to further God’s kingdom by doing His work, by obeying His voice, and by speaking truth and hope into the lives of others.