Our Team

“Let us love one another.” 1 John 4:7

Mission Director: Kendra Phillips, Food Pantry Director: Deon Phillips

Deon and Kendra Phillips
Deon and Kendra Phillips

Deon and Kendra were married in 1986; they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Deon has lived in the north Georgia area his entire life, while Kendra’s family relocated to Atlanta, GA from Cincinnati, Ohio when she was 11. In 1981 her work brought her to the Chattanooga, TN/north Georgia area where she would cross paths with Deon. In 1988 they began a home repair/remodeling business, Battlefield Service and Supply, which they operated until they closed it in 2006 to pursue full time ministry through the work of the Care Mission.

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They have served in some sort of mission oriented ministry since 1992. Those have included multiple foreign missions, relief efforts within the U.S., youth ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, and other forms of servant centered evangelism.

In 2000 Deon was a founding member of Here I Am, Inc., a 501 c 3 non-profit corporation established to assist individuals and families in a variety of ways. After working as the assistant director of a food pantry in Catoosa County, GA, Kendra began to feel the Holy Spirit directing her to open a food pantry in Walker County, GA, to address the overwhelming need there.

The Here I Am Board unanimously voted to open that food pantry, the Care Mission, under Kendra’s direction.

The Care Mission opened its doors on June 25, 2005. Deon serves as the CFO of Here I Am, Inc., Board Treasurer, and Food Pantry Manager. Kendra serves as CEO of Here I Am, Inc., Board Chairman, and Care Mission Director.

Deon and Kendra were married in 1986; they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Deon has lived in the north Georgia area his entire life, while Kendra’s family relocated to Atlanta, GA from Cincinnati, Ohio when she was 11. In 1981 her work brought her to the Chattanooga, TN/north Georgia area where she would cross paths with Deon. In 1988 they began a home repair/remodeling business, Battlefield Service and Supply, which they operated until they closed it in 2006 to pursue full time ministry through the work of the Care Mission.

They have served in some sort of mission oriented ministry since 1992. Those have included multiple foreign missions, relief efforts within the U.S., youth ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, and other forms of servant centered evangelism.

In 2000 Deon was a founding member of Here I Am, Inc., a 501 c 3 non-profit corporation established to assist individuals and families in a variety of ways. After working as the assistant director of a food pantry in Catoosa County, GA, Kendra began to feel the Holy Spirit directing her to open a food pantry in Walker County, GA, to address the overwhelming need there.

The Here I Am Board unanimously voted to open that food pantry, the Care Mission, under Kendra’s direction.

The Care Mission opened its doors on June 25, 2005. Deon serves as the CFO of Here I Am, Inc., Board Treasurer, and Food Pantry Manager. Kendra serves as CEO of Here I Am, Inc., Board Chairman, and Care Mission Director.

Here I Am, Inc. Board Members

David Bennett

David BennettDavid began volunteering at the Care Mission in 2020 and joined our Board the next year. He and his wife, Carol, were married in 1993. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. David and Carol are members of Lafayette First United Methodist Church. David worked in Vocational Rehabilitation for the State of Georgia until retiring in 2006. He also volunteers at Wardlaw’s Lucky Eye Q, located just across the street from the mission. He is a blessing to us.

John Afman

Jon began volunteering at the Care Mission in 2012 and joined our Board in 2016. He and his wife, Donna, married in 2015. Together they have 10 children and 6 grandchildren. Jon and Donna are members of Rock Bridge Community Church in Ringgold, GA. Jon began teaching in 1982 and currently works in the Catoosa County School System. In addition Jon owns and operates The Lodge at McClemore’s Cove. We are blessed to have Jon serving with us.

Pastor Chris and Hope Spears

Chris and Hope SpearsChris and Hope began volunteering at the Care Mission in 2007 and joined our Board shortly thereafter. Chris served as Board Chairman in 2008 and 2009. Hope served as Board Chairman in 2014 – 2016. They were married in 1997; they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. They have been involved in pastoral ministry since 2001, but their music ministry started before then. Chris has been the Senior Pastor at Gospel Light Christian Fellowship Church, in Lafayette, since 2014. Hope began, and still leads, the women’s ministry “Bent But Not Broken” in 2016. They are both members of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). Chris is the Chaplain of the Lafayette CMA Chapter. Chris and Hope are a steady encouragement to us.

Thomas Milligan

Thomas MilliganThomas began volunteering at the Care Mission in 2013 and joined our Board in 2015. He and his wife, Melissa, were married in 1988. They relocated to Walker County, GA from Chattanooga, TN in 2007. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Thomas left the U.S. Army after 8 years of service when he was injured in the line of duty. As a Disabled Vet Thomas is limited as to what he can do, but he stays plenty busy at the Care Mission. He is a joy to work with and a valuable asset to the ministry.

Theresa Dorsey

Theresa DorseyTheresa began volunteering at the Care Mission in 2016 and has served as our Board Secretary since 2017. She and her husband, Ron, were married in 1983; they have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Theresa and Ron relocated to Lafayette from Cincinnati, Ohio in 2015. Theresa’s mom helped form the Cincinnati Chapter of the Ladies of Charity, where Theresa volunteered for more than 30 years. Theresa works for the Walker County School System and is also a member of the GFWC-Lafayette Woman’s Club. Theresa is part of the music ministry at Saint Gerard Majella Catholic Church, Fort Oglethorpe, GA. She has a true servant’s heart.

The Care Mission

105 N. Chattanooga St.

LaFayette, GA 30728

Phone: 706-638-3664

Hours of Operation

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 12-4PM

Thursday: Closed

Friday: 12-4PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

The Care Mission