Chris Youssi, President

Chris is a lifelong resident of the Rockford, Illinois, area and now resides in Caledonia, Illinois, with his wife of 40 years, Sandy. He has two grown children, Charissa and Shane.

In 1987, He began his Real estate career in sales, which has now grown into a Development/Custom Home and Rental business spanning two states.

Chris first visited Honduras in 2008 and felt the spirit pull him toward serving the less fortunate all over the world. This, along with his work in counseling teenage men at Rockford Christian camp, has given him a heart for those in need.

Chris and Sandy have been members of the North Park Church of Christ for 20+ years where he is a ministry leader overseeing missions. Expanding beyond our borders, Chris has been on numerous trips to Haiti, Cuba, Mexico City and Honduras. In 2014 he and his wife initiated a first of its kind sewing school in Haiti quickly expanding to plumbing, electrical, cosmetology, soccer and other outreaches in these same countries. Recently they handed off a soccer school ministry in Columbia as the needs were met with outside sources. His ability to raise funds is a welcome addition to Hope and Equip.

“I have a deep passion for those who need to know the love of Christ through educational, vocational, recreational, financial and agricultural teachings advocating Kingdom growth through these ministries.” – Chris Youssi

Sandy Youssi, Treasurer

Sandy resides in the Caledonia, Illinois, with her husband of 40 years Chris. Sandy has served as a team leader for Helping Hands Pantry as a volunteer coordinator since 2005, and as their purchasing agent since 2008, where she is responsible for providing groceries for 300-400 families a month. She was elected to the pantry’s Board of Directors in 2016.

Sandy actively mentors high school and college age women, and she has served as a camp counselor to teen girls at Rockford Christian Camp since 2008.

She took her first trip to Honduras in 2008, where she became passionate about missions. She has since served as a team leader for five mission trips to Honduras and Haiti for various projects.

Beginning in 2014, Sandy and Chris planted community soccer leagues in several underdeveloped countries, as well as sewing, plumbing, electrical, and cosmetology schools that have graduated over 500+ students in four different countries. With the goal of expanding this ministry, in February 2019, Sandy and Chris became Founding Board Members of Hope and Equip Charitable Foundation. 

“Early in our journey, Chris and I realized the mission and passion we had was too big for us. We needed help. We prayerfully considered who could provide needed talents. We are so excited about our fellow board members whom equally share our vision.” – Sandy Youssi

Robert Roach, Secretary

Robert is a lifelong resident of Frankfort, Kentucky. He is married with four children and one grandchild. He has been involved in Holly Hill church of Christ in various roles, including teacher, deacon, elder, and other types of service.

Robert has a passion for missions. In numerous trips to Honduras, he has worked with Mission Lazarus and Berry’s Chapel on construction projects. Holly Hill supports a church plant in Guines, Cuba, and he has worked extensively with this plant through teacher training conferences. Through Hope and Equip he is also working with Mexico to expand recreational missions. 

Robert’s work experience has been as an educator and builder of organizations. Educating students as a tennis instructor, he was Commissioner of the tennis program for the City of Frankfort, with scores of students, some who were ranked state and regionally, and one who won her state high school championship. As a teacher of history, he had many students pass Advanced Placement tests in subjects such as World History, European History, US History, US and Comparative Government.

While serving as Headmaster of The Frankfort Christian Academy, God blessed him in achieving an enrollment growth of 126 to 377 students. Through effective oversight of advancement and financial matters, a 275,000-square-foot facility was purchased and retrofitted for a school and warehouse space that was rented to large businesses that helped fund the academy.

Robert is currently involved in running real estate businesses.

“The Spirit of the Lord is moving within our board and I am so excited to be a part of how He will use us to impact lives for the kingdom.”  – Robert Roach

Jim Kellet, Board Member

Jim Kellet is a native of Rockford, Illinois, and has been happily married to his wife Darla for 37 years. He has two grown children, Abby and Keenan.

Jim has worked as a Supply Chain Manager at Nicepak in Jonesboro, Arkansas, since December of 2013. He has an Associate of Arts degree from York College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Oklahoma.

While attending the North Park Church of Christ in Illinois, Jim served as a ministry leader, deacon, guest speaker, teacher and elder. He also served on the Board of Directors for Rockford Christian Camp for 25 years. Currently, he and Darla worship at the Southwest Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where Darla is a Ministry Assistant and Jim serves as an elder. Jim has a heart for serving God, a love for people, and a strong desire to build relationships and make disciples.

 “The need for people worldwide to experience a life with Jesus and to learn life sustaining skills is the motivation behind my desire to be a part of this servant organization. We want to make a positive difference in the lives of people across the globe so they can experience the love of Christ and enjoy the peace it brings to our lives.” – Jim Kellet

Cameron Hartsell, Board Member

Cameron is a native Texan and now resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife Emily. They have two young children, Sam and Grace.

Cameron graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2007. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Honduras, serving four-and-a-half years as a missionary alongside Mission Lazarus. While there, he primarily worked in roles as the group and construction coordinator, a guest preacher and teacher, evangelist and church planter, as well as supporting various other vocational and holistic outreach ministries.

After returning from Honduras, he earned an MBA from Texas A&M University. He has worked for AT&T since 2014, supporting multiple functions across the United States and Latin America. Additionally, in 2015, he and his wife founded a real estate investment firm they continue to grow and manage.

The Hartsell’s attend the Preston Road Church of Christ where Cameron continues to work with missions and has led various short-term mission trips to Central America.

Two things excite Cameron about working on the H&E Board:

“I’ve worked alongside my fellow board members in the mission field, so I’ve seen their hearts and passion for the LORD firsthand.”

“And further, the sense of urgency the organization has to effectively and efficiently deploy resources for Kingdom growth.”