About Mission of Hope

Mission of Hope (formerly Cornerstone of Hope) opened in the Lima area in September of 2014 in response to the deficit of faith-based mental health services in the region. What started as a vision to provide compassionate, accessible care has grown into a thriving agency serving Northwest Ohio.

Mission of Hope Lima Office

Initially providing counseling and support groups, Mission of Hope quickly began to grow. We are fueled with a passion to equip children, teens, and adults in our community by providing support, education, and practical tools for mental and relational health.

Today, with offices in Lima, Findlay, and Van Wert – plus telehealth services – Mission of Hope impacts individuals, families, businesses, and organizations across a wider region. Through counseling, workshops, and community partnerships, we ensure every person has an opportunity to gain the tools they need for hope, resilience, and healing.

We're grateful for the growth we've experienced and the excellent team that makes this work possible. Our mission continues: pushing back the darkness by providing quality, faith-based counseling and workshops throughout Northwest Ohio.

Mission of Hope is a faith-based non-profit mental health agency that provides affordable individual, marriage and family counseling. In addition to counseling, Mission of Hope responds to community needs by providing trainings, workshops, outreach programs and partnerships that equip community members of all ages with practical mental health tools for hope, resilience, and healing.

Our Vision

A community equipped to live whole and holy.

Our Values

Faith • Excellence • Compassion • Integrity • Stewardship

Our Staff

A woman with shoulder-length curly brown hair smiling, wearing hoop earrings and a black and white polka dot blouse, standing in front of a brick wall.

  • In 2014, Kari founded Cornerstone of Hope Lima and now serves as the Executive Director/Clinical Director for Mission of Hope. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor/supervisor. She has a master’s in Community Counseling from Wright State University and has severed in the field over 15 years. Kari served as the Post Abortion Recovery Director in Miami Valley, served in private practice settings as well as counselor/group coordinator at Cornerstone of Hope in Cleveland, has provided clinical supervision for undergrad and graduate students in the mental health field. She has spoken at numerous retreats and conferences, has taught various CEU's in the counseling field, and has written group and Bible study curriculum.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because I believe that God desires people to be whole and holy and I have the privilege to seek creative, practical ways with the Mission of Hope team to extend this hope to the community. 

    FUN FACT: I enjoy reading, running, trying new foods and making memories with my husband and two boys!

A woman with dark hair, wearing leopard print earrings and a black top, smiling in front of a brick wall.

  • Micah joined Mission of Hope in 2015 and currently serves as the Executive Administrator. She received her bachelors in psychology and Christian counseling through Liberty University. She has served in the mission field and was highly involved in numerous positions such as teaching, facilitating groups and leading multiple teams overseas. She has also facilitated administrative duties in business start-ups in our local community.


    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because I have the privilege to see God bring hope and healing to so many individuals. I am also grateful to serve alongside a team that truly has a heart to equip and serve this community well!

    FUN FACT: I enjoy spending time with my husband and two sons, being on the water and traveling!

  • Cindy joined the Mission of Hope team in 2026 and serves as our Clinical Receptionist. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education at Crown College (MN) and has worked 30 years in various roles at Nyack College (NY), most recently as executive assistant for EVP and Treasurer.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve alongside and support a team of individuals who are making a difference in the lives of people in our community seeking health and wholeness.

    FUN FACT: I enjoy supporting local theater and community concerts, playing board games, and spending time with family and friends.

A woman with short brown hair and blue eyes smiling, standing in front of a brick wall. She is wearing a denim jacket, a black top, hoop earrings, a nose ring, and a necklace with pink circular beads.

  • Sheena joined Cornerstone’s team in 2021 and serves as our Clinical Receptionist and Grant Coordinator. She graduated with a degree in Business Communications at Liberty University. She has held numerous roles within the ministry setting such as Worship Director, Communications Director and as an administrative assistant. 


    WHY I SERVE: I'm honored to serve at Mission of Hope because of the ministry we do for hurting people both in the office and the community. We get to follow Jesus' example of serving God and people outside the church building.

    FUN FACT: I enjoy hanging out with my family, especially outside; singing, playing, and listening to music; reading and audiobooks; knitting; and drinking sugary frou-frou coffee.

Portrait of a woman with short dark hair smiling in front of a brick wall. She is wearing colorful earrings, a beaded necklace, a patterned blue and purple top, and a beige cardigan.

  • Heidi joined the Mission of Hope team in 2020 and serves in our Lima office providing counseling, facilitating groups and leading trainings and workshops in the community. She is a licensed professional counselor, received her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Winebrenner Theological Seminary, and has served in the field over 19 years. Heidi has also served as a behavior specialist in a group residential care facility, has a master’s in Education and worked with elementary and high school students. 

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because I get a front-row seat to see God's Kingdom work for wholeness and healing in our area! I'm also honored to serve alongside this team of individuals who truly enjoy serving God and seeing His will and glory for His people. 

    FUN FACT: I enjoy experiencing God's creation while hiking and walking, I enjoy learning through conversations with others and reading, and I enjoy time with friends and family.

A woman with short dark hair, wearing a blue top, a beige cardigan, and pink jewelry, standing in front of a red brick wall and smiling.

  • Haley joined the Mission of Hope team in 2017 and serves in our Lima office providing counseling, facilitating groups, and leading trainings and workshops in the community. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor, received her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Winebrenner Theological Seminary, and has served in the field over 5 years. Haley has also served as a Mental and Behavioral Health Case Manager and PRN Inpatient Psychiatric Counselor at a local hospital.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because the opportunity to walk alongside clients not only in their mental well-being but also in their spiritual well-being is such a beautiful thing! We also have an amazing team!

    FUN FACT: I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and being crafty/creative.

  • Kendra joined the Mission of Hope team in 2020 and serves in our Lima and Findlay office providing counseling and leading trainings and workshops in the community. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor/supervisor, received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Ashland Theological Seminary, and has served in the field over 10 years. Kendra has also worked in community mental health settings and as an assistant director of counseling at a local university.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because I truly believe that each person here loves God and people really well. It’s an honor to be part of a team that holds sacred space where God’s healing work can take place. 

    FUN FACT: I enjoy reading, writing, being creative and spending time with the people I love.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a blue sleeveless top, standing in front of a brick wall.

  • Jessica joined the Cornerstone team in 2018 and serves in our Lima office providing counseling and leading trainings and workshops in the community. She is a licensed independent social worker/supervisor, received her master’s degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University, and has served in the field over 18 years. Jessica has also served as the Program Director for 21st Century After School Grant Program in Mercer County and worked as a School Social Worker at a local school.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Cornerstone because I appreciate the ability to integrate faith in my practice.

    FUN FACT: I enjoy baking and spending time with my husband and two sons.

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  • Nicole joined the Mission of Hope team in 2020 and serves in our Lima and Van Wert office providing counseling and leading trainings and workshops in the community. She is a licensed independent marriage and family therapist, received her master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University, and has served in the field over 16 years. Nicole has also served 11 years at a local mental health facility, 3 years at a community resource agency and in 2020 published her first book entitled Remade: Living Free.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because it is both an agency dedicated to the highest quality client service and a ministry dedicated to serving our Heavenly Father. 

    FUN FACT: I enjoy running, traveling, reading, and writing!

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  • Joe joined the Mission of Hope team in 2022 and serves in our Lima office providing counseling, facilitating groups and leading trainings and workshops in the community. He is a licensed professional counselor receiving his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.

    WHY I SERVE: I am honored to serve at Mission of Hope because Working at Mission of Hope is the culmination of a journey God began around 10 years ago. I am honored to work with an amazing staff and leadership and cannot wait to see what God has planned next.  

    FUN FACT:  I enjoy running, reading, time with family/friends, more running.

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  • Cheyenne joined the Mission of Hope team in 2023 and provides telehealth counseling. She is a licensed professional counselor, receiving her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from Grand Canyon University. Cheyenne has experience in the Juvenile Detention Center working with adolescents and Interned at Mission of Hope prior to accepting a full time position there.

    WHY I SERVE: The opportunity to serve at Mission of Hope was an answered prayer. I am surrounded by co-workers that are so supportive and on fire for the Kingdom of God. I am blessed to walk alongside them in helping our community find hope and healing in their struggles. Witnessing first-hand the way that God works through our team has been life-changing.

    FUN FACT: I am my happiest when I am with my husband and kids out in nature and making memories. I enjoy playing sports of all kinds. I love coffee. I love time with my friends. I love Jesus and spending time trying to grow in my faith.

  • Elisa joined the Mission of Hope team in 2023 and serves in our Lima office providing counseling, facilitating groups and leading workshops in the community. She is a licensed professional counselor.

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  • Lori joined the Mission of Hope team in 2025 and serves in our Findlay office providing counseling, facilitating groups and leading trainings and workshops in the community. She is a licensed professional counselor.

Dr. Bill Scherger, MD

Board Chair

Aaron Bensinger, Attorney at Law

Treasurer

Theresa Schnipke

Stephen Ambrose, Lead Pastor

Mark Blass, Business Owner

Our Community Board Members