Nikki Long
Executive Director
I am a wife and mother from southeast Georgia, where I was born and raised. I married my husband Dave at a young age, and we have grown up together following Jesus wherever He leads. After college we moved to North Africa, and have moved every two years since with our two daughters in tow, living also in East Africa and northern Iraq. We landed in Lincoln in 2017, when my husband received an invitation to work at UNL. I was brought into ministry again in 2018 with Juniper Refuge, where it has been a privilege to work with refugee and immigrant families. If you’re interested in exploring how you can be a part of our mission, shoot me a text at 912-324-9742, and I would love the chance to connect!
CHURCH
Grace Chapel PCA
Kris Eubanks
Finance manager
I was born and raised in Southern California but the Lord led my husband Brian and me to Lincoln in 2013… and I love it here! I enjoy learning, eating, and I’m a little obsessed with my two dogs Julian and Prim. I am deeply involved with my church community and especially enjoy spending time with the youth ministry where I co-lead a small group of high school girls (my baby chicks). I was first introduced to Juniper Refuge through a class I attended called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. God used this course to open my eyes and heart to HIS heart for people of all nations. My hunger to be used for the advancement of His kingdom grew, and when my church partnered with JR to mentor a refugee family, I jumped at the opportunity! My relationship with these refugees has been a beautiful outlet for the overwhelming gift of empathy that God has given me. Now as the Finance Manager at JR, He has blessed me with yet another opportunity to use my God-given gifts for His glory, and I am so thankful!
CHURCH
North Pointe Community Church
Debbie Williams
Refugee Program manager
I’m just a small town Nebraska girl who felt the call of the Lord to the Nations at an early age. As an 18 year old, fresh out of high school, I packed up my bags and flew across the world to Northern Africa to spend a year immersed in a culture I knew nothing about. That was the year I fell in love with other cultures and knew I was called to serve the Nations. That dream lay dormant in my heart for exactly 20 years while I married my husband, got my Nursing degree, and began to raise my 4 children. Then one Sunday I heard Nikki speak about Juniper Refuge and I felt the spark spring back to life. I sat and let the tears stream down my face as I knew now was the time to jump in and begin to serve the Nations who are showing up at our doorsteps. I am so excited to be a part of what God is doing here in Lincoln and around the world!
CHURCH
Grace Chapel PCA
Sommer Waite
Church Program Manager
My name is Sommer Anna Octavio Waite. I graduated from UNL with a degree in Communications and minors in theatre and dance. My mom’s love for people, all over the world, was contagious from a very young age; my impetus for decisions to teach English for two summers overseas and live in an international dorm in college. I have been married for 24 years to my husband Andy, aka “soccer mom”. I am a proud “girl mom” to four vivacious daughters: Gracia (21), Tula, (19), Scout (16), and Mosley (11). I am thankful to have many precious women at JR holding my hand and linking arms with me in this new position. In the always wise words of Tim Keller, “I have been scandalously saved and that turns me into an agent of social healing.” I sincerely declare that this is my dream role!
CHURCH
Redeemer PCA
Trisha Waldron
English Coordinator
I’m originally from a small town in Indiana and now call Lincoln home. I’m married to my husband, David, who works for Lincoln Public Schools as a videographer/editor, and I’m a proud mom to my sweet daughter, Ellie, who is in middle school. In 2013, God placed a clear call on my heart to be a friend to the stranger and to reflect His heart for the nations. That calling led me to begin volunteering with Juniper Refuge in their English class, which grew into one on one English tutoring in families’ homes, and eventually into mentorship with a vulnerable refugee family. Through these relationships, I’ve witnessed the deep impact of unhurried, relational teaching in the lives of our students. I’m grateful and excited to step into my role as English Coordinator with Juniper Refuge, continuing to walk alongside vulnerable refugee families in meaningful and practical ways. My prayer is that every person we serve would experience healing, dignity, and a true sense of belonging, and that through community and connection they would encounter God’s faithfulness as they journey toward a new home.
CHURCH
First Free Church
partner with trisha
Trisha is a missionary-status staff member, raising support to fund this NEW position! If you are wondering how you can use your resources to support vulnerable refugee women, giving to Trisha would create opportunities to form more English Groups, a new program illiterate and literate refugee women are FLOCKING to. Reach out to Trisha to learn more about what she is doing, what she’s planning, and how you could GIVE OR SERVE! You can give online and/or subscribe to her monthly newsletter by clicking HERE.
Crystal Davy
Chair, Director of Mission Advancement
My name is Crystal Davy and I am the board chair for Juniper Refuge and the Worship Director at Grace Chapel here in Lincoln. I am married to my best friend Ben and I have three children, Addison (2008), Nora (2010) and Solomon (2014). I grew up in Mexico as a missionary kid, feeling like the luckiest person on the planet to have the adventures and friendships I experienced. From an early age, I saw firsthand the beauty of diverse peoples and the challenges of living cross-culturally. And when we have been God’s celebrated guests, how can we not turn around and welcome others into that same hospitality.
CHURCH
Grace Chapel PCA
Susan Meckel
Treasurer, Director of Financial Accountability
During our 25 years in Lincoln, my husband Clyde and I have raised three children, now all adults. I enjoy meeting people from different cultures, and love eating and cooking a variety of international foods, especially Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Having been involved in various local and international ministries, I am happy to be able to serve refugees and immigrants in our community through Juniper Refuge.
CHURCH
Zion Church PCA
Bethany Gebers
Secretary
Although I was born in Nebraska and now live in Lincoln, I still consider Wisconsin, where I grew up, to be home. I am married to Nathan and love being a mama to our daughter Esther. I serve part-time at Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Lincoln as the Director of Christian Outreach. One thing I love about Lincoln is how many cultures are represented in our small city in the Midwest. I think it is truly beautiful that we can fulfill God’s command to “be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth,” without leaving our city (Acts 1:8).
CHURCH
Trinity Lutheran Church
Anand Titus
director, Strategic Advisor
My name is Anand Titus, and I am the husband to an amazing woman, the father of two incredible children, and a faculty member at the University of Nebraska. I am a member of Grace Chapel, and I believe that the need for community is deeply woven into our inner fabric. I am also the son of immigrants, and hope that I can be a part of a community that extends the kind of hospitality my parents received when they arrived in this country.
CHURCH
Grace Chapel PCA
Tim Branum
Co-founder, Interim Vice President, Director of Donor Relations
CHURCH
Grace Chapel PCA
