Who We Are
MomLife began in the fall of 2017 with two moms—Melanie Hill and Christy Crosby—and a team of some fun and creative friends. We had a simple and clear vision in mind: to see groups of moms in all ages and stages connect to God and each other through life-giving community. Understanding that being a mom can feel isolating and lonely at times, we wanted to create a safe space for moms to come together and be seen, cared for, loved, and spurred on in their faith in Christ and who he has created them to be.Â
After four years in its founding church (Grace Community Church in Clarksville, TN), Melanie and Christy saw the need to expand MomLife. We wanted to reach moms outside of our church, in our community, and beyond. In the spring of 2021, Melanie decided to launch MomLife Ministries. We want to provide helpful tools for both churches and individual moms who want to gather with groups of friends to talk about life and faith, and how the two deeply interact.Â
MomLife Ministries provides easy-to-use gospel-centered curriculum, leadership training, ideas, resources, and tools that are adaptable to any group of moms—be it in a home setting, coffee shop, or large church gathering. The first steps in building connections often feel awkward and challenging, so we hope to make it a little easier.
MomLife Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We have a governing Board of Directors, and the overall planning of content and activities is lead by an outstanding team of volunteers who are passionate about loving on and serving other mommas.
Planning Team
Melanie Hill,
Executive Director
Melanie Hill is the founder of MomLife Ministries. She has a master's degree in professional counseling and over 20 years of ministry experience. She's been married for 17 years to Tony, her best friend, greatest support, and king of all dad jokes; and she is mom to an 11-year-old daughter who is so full of life, energy, emotions, and joy. Melanie is a longtime lover of pizza and ice cream, family games, cooking, and whatever is the least sweaty form of gardening. For her, being a mom is both a great joy, a great challenge, and every little thing in between. Her passion is to help women recognize the gift we have in Christ and the immense value and worth he has placed in each of us.
Christy Crosby,
Strategic Development Director
Christy Crosby serves on the staff of Grace Community Church in women’s ministry and outreach. She's been married 24 years to her high school sweetheart, Steve. She is mom to a 21-year old daughter and 16-year-old son. She finds so much joy in this season of parenting and describes herself as a life-long learner who loves to read, listen to podcasts, and ask questions about all the things. Christy also loves theatre, live music, knitting and good coffee. Her heart's desire is to help moms cultivate a genuine love of God's Word.
Christy also serves on the MomLife Ministries Board of Directors as President.
Kara Honbarger,
Executive Assistant
Kara Honbarger is wife to her college sweetheart of 25 years and mom to three beautiful children. She spends her days volunteering in her local church and with MomLife Ministries. She's passionate about Christ and the way he meets us where we are. She enjoys mountain biking with her husband and watching Friends in her free time.
Kara also serves on the MomLife Ministries Board of Directors as Secretary.
Kayla Stevens,
Communications & Marketing Director
Kayla Stevens lives in Clarksville, TN with her husband (and best friend), Caleb, and their four young children. With 10+ years marketing experience under her belt, she’s not just about spreadsheets and campaigns; she's all about real talk, genuine community, and meaningful growth. Juggling the joys and chaos of motherhood, Kayla is passionate about creating spaces where moms can find support, faith, and friendship.Â
Jinny De Luca,
Creative Director
Jinny De Luca is a transplant to Tennessee from Arizona and is really enjoying being out of the desert. She has been married to her husband, Paul, for 12 years and they have an 9-year-old, sweet and spicy daughter, hand delivered by God through adoption. Together they enjoy hiking, camping, and creek walking, cooking shows, and snuggling on the sofa. As a mama, Jinny has a renewed desire to teach the word of God in her home. A failed minimalist, she loves patterns and options too much to commit. She enjoys organizing and decluttering, photography, party planning, cookie decorating, and has a healthy obsession with planners and all things paper.
Angela Edwards,
Technical Director
Angela Edwards has been married for 27 years to her best friend. She's a mom of two amazing twenty-something daughters and loves music—especially singing. She often pretends that life is a musical. When she's not singing, she's reading, making things, doing nerdy tech stuff, talking with people, and having fun. She loves learning more and more about her Savior and she's never not in awe of him.
Cindy Smith,
Prayer Director and Virtual Lead
Cindy Smith is a mom to two 20-something daughters. She's been married for 30 years and loves her family, animals, the beach, ice cream, and she finds joy in the everyday. The beauty in God’s creation, especially flowers, brings a smile to her face. Her strength is found in walking with the Lord. She loves praying for strength and confidence for moms as they love those God has placed in their lives.
Jenn Powell,
Director of Fun
Jenn Powell is a full-time Physical Therapist, grateful for the opportunity to meet new people and walk with them through recovery. She's mom to a 11-year-old thrill-seeker who pushes her out of her comfort zone on family vacations, a 8-year-old who knows his dimples will get him anything, and a 5-year-old girl who has the confidence to run the world. Jenn and her husband of over a decade were voted Class Flirt in high school. She's a fair-weather runner who loves dark chocolate and great local coffee shops. In her downtime, you'll find her sitting on the porch reading a book or listening to an Annie F. Downs podcast.
Miranda Osendorf,
Membership Director
Miranda Osendorf is a northern girl from Minnesota who has found a love for TN. She has been married to her husband Richard for 13 years and they traveled the country for his job in project management. They have lived in 6 different states and have 2 beautiful children. She sees God's work in all the beauty of nature and she spends most of her free time gardening, canning jam from their fruit trees, and passing on these traditions to her children. Miranda is passionate about introducing as many women to MomLife as possible after seeing it change her life so drastically and making her faith journey towards knowing God so purposeful.
Tabitha Dowdy,
KidLife Director
Tabitha Dowdy serves on the staff of First Baptist Church Clarksville as the Kids Ministry Director. She is married to her “partner in crime” Jason, and they have 2 twenty-something daughters and an 18-year-old son. Tabitha enjoys spending time with friends, family, and their 2 dogs. She is also an avid fan of documentaries, gardening, art, coffee, and random facts and information. Her favorite verse is Psalm 107:9, "For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Tabitha also serves on the MomLife Ministries Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Christy Crosby,
President
Christy Crosby serves on the staff of Grace Community Church in women’s ministry and outreach. She's been married 24 years to her high school sweetheart, Steve. She is mom to a 21-year old daughter and 16-year-old son. She finds so much joy in this season of parenting and describes herself as a life-long learner who loves to read, listen to podcasts, and ask questions about all the things. Christy also loves theatre, live music, knitting and good coffee. Her heart's desire is to help moms cultivate a genuine love of God's Word.
Christy also serves on the MomLife Ministries Planning Team as Strategic Development Director.
Stephani Cook,
Vice-President
Stephani Cook blends her expertise as a licensed school psychologist with her passion for life coaching by working part-time in the public school system and running her own coaching venture, On Purpose Coaching. Stephani and her husband Mark celebrate over three decades of marriage and together they navigate the joys and complexities of having adult children. They eagerly anticipate the addition of a new member to the family as they welcome a son-in-law this year. An Alumni of the University of Tennessee, Stephani loves the Volunteers and has a closet full of “gaudy orange”. She is happiest at a live sporting event, RV glamping in Tennessee State Parks, or hanging with her family anytime, anywhere.Â
Sara Presley,
Treasurer
Sara Presley is the Director of Accounting for an engineer consulting firm headquartered in Nashville, TN, where she has worked for 20 years. She has been married to her high school sweetheart and best friend, Jesse, for 18 years. They have two daughters, ages 10 and 6. When she's not working or cleaning up after the other 3 that live in her house, she's usually sitting outside with a good book. Sara also enjoys coffee and spending time with family whenever she gets the opportunity. Her favorite time of year is spring with the windows open to enjoy all of God’s beauty.
Kara Honbarger,
Secretary
Kara Honbarger is wife to her college sweetheart of 25 years and mom to three beautiful children. She spends her days volunteering in her local church and with MomLife Ministries. She's passionate about Christ and the way he meets us where we are. She enjoys mountain biking with her husband and watching Friends in her free time.
Kara also serves on the MomLife Ministries Planning Team as Executive Assistant.
Jonathan Cliff,
Board Director
Jonathan Cliff serves as the Executive Pastor at Grace Community Church and has lived in Clarksville, TN, for 10 years. He's been married 26 years to his wife, Starr, and is the father of three wonderful children. He has discovered tremendous joy in serving in the local church for over 20 years, and working with the staff team and leaders at Grace has been the highlight of that time. He is always ready to talk about the books he's currently reading and is an avid sports fan of nearly any season.
Megan Evans,
Board Director
Megan Evans has been married to her high school sweetheart for 26 years. They have three children: 2 adults and a high school senior. She is passionate about discipleship and as an avid writer, you’ll find Megan blogging and writing devotionals for Crosswalk. She is also the author of the new interactive devotional, Permission To Walk: A 40-Day Journey to Unhurried Peace. Some of her favorite things include coffee, gardening, and family movie nights.Â
Tabitha Dowdy,
Board Director
Tabitha Dowdy serves on the staff of First Baptist Church Clarksville as the Kids Ministry Director. She is married to her “partner in crime” Jason, and they have 2 twenty-something daughters and an 18-year-old son. Tabitha enjoys spending time with friends, family, and their 2 dogs. She is also an avid fan of documentaries, gardening, art, coffee, and random facts and information. Her favorite verse is Psalm 107:9, "For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Tabitha also serves on the MomLife Ministries Planning Team as KidLife Director.
