Hope joined the Thistlebend team in 2007 after moving to Louisville in 2004 and being a part of several studies taught by Laurie Aker. She has served as an Abigail, editor, and publishing and operations director for the ministry. Over the years she has been active in her local church on missions and worship teams and as a leader in various small group ministries. She has a degree in Business and Social Science and a MA in Political Science and International Relations. Hope is married to Steve and they have two children.

Scott serves as the doctrinal editor at Thistlebend Ministries. He holds an M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.S. in Secondary Education in Integrated Language Arts from Kent State University. After graduating from college, Scott traveled to Korea to teach English as Second Language and met Ms. Ahn In-ok. By the grace of God, Scott somehow convinced her to leave her country, her family, and her language and come to America to be his wife. She traded the family name Ahn for Kaczorowski. Scott and In-ok now live in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Scott has a passion for the preaching of the Word, pastoral ministry, and international missions. Some would say (perhaps his wife) that he likes books a little too much.

Susan joined the Thistlebend team in 2007 after taking several life-changing Bible studies written by Laurie Aker—Falling in Love Again with Your Lord, Husband and Children, and At His Feet. She has served as an Abigail, as the director of Thistlebend’s Going Beyond the Gate outreach ministry, and currently as the Director of Weekly Discipleship Studies. Susan has a BA in History and Philosophy from Trinity University in San Antonio and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Houston. She served as a family counselor for Children’s Protective Services in Houston, TX, until getting married and moving to Louisville in 1996. She and her husband, Jeff, have three children. In her free time, she loves to read books on theology, go on date nights with her husband, and travel with her family.

Amy studied Education at Anderson University and taught elementary school in Westerville, OH, for four years before moving to Louisville in 2004 with her husband, Shawn. Shortly thereafter, in 2005, she began taking Laurie’s studies. Amy had been trained and equipped by the Lord through godly family heritage, experiences with youth, college, and young adult church ministry, and classroom teaching and followed the call into ministry as Thistlebend was born in 2007. Amy writes the Thistlebend Bible Workshop curriculum and directs the weekly Thistlebend Bible Workshop. Shawn and Amy have two children.

Angie has been involved in Thistlebend Ministries for many years and joined the board in 2010. She served as a high school discipleship leader at Southeast Christian Church and East Side Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, and has always had a heart for mentoring and discipling young women. Angie also has a heart for international missions and has served in various countries around the world on short-term mission trips including the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Indonesia. She has a Master’s Degree in Nursing and works part time as a Nurse Practitioner. Angie is married to Chris and they have three boys.

Ana became involved with Thistlebend in 2014. She will tell you that after spending many years with one foot in the world and the other struggling in her faith, the Lord came in and radically transformed her heart through Thistlebend Ministries. Growing up, she always wanted to incorporate her faith with her work. Having graduated from Sullivan University with a degree in marketing and sales management in 2012, Ana now finds herself doing what she loves while serving at Thistlebend Ministries. Ana was 15 when she met her best friend and husband Will. Married in 2013, they have two “crazy” dogs Gallagher and Scotland. She loves history, traveling, food, and coffee.

Chelsey has been involved with Thistlebend Ministries since 2012. The Lord brought her to Louisville for a job after graduating from the University of Kentucky; it was then that she was introduced to Thistlebend studies and the Lord began to draw her heart to Himself. She testifies that the Lord used and continues to use Thistlebend to greatly impact her walk with Him. Chelsey is married to Cory and now stays at home with her son Kip.

Kevin has been a ministry assistant with Thistlebend since 2004 when he moved from Boston to Louisville. He is a hard-working, dedicated, faithful servant of the Lord and has a desire to serve others in every capacity. He loves reading, movies, and sci-fi...and lasagna!

Greg Gilbert is the Senior Pastor of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. He earned his B.A. from Yale University and his M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of "What Is the Gospel?" and the co-author of "What Is the Mission of the Church?" and "Who Is Jesus?," among others. Greg is married to Moriah and they have three children: Justin, Jack, and Juliet.

Kevin is the Senior Vice President for Advancement and Chief Operating Officer for The King‘s College in New York. He manages fundraising, resourcing, and coordinating the President’s Cabinet as they pursue daily operations at the College. Prior to this, Kevin worked in the Office of the President at Focus on the Family. At Thistlebend, we are thrilled to have Kevin’s experience and expertise in business and advancement and are grateful for his friendship and partnership in the gospel. He and his wife Lauren have three daughters: Emma, Lillian, and Blake.