In the Field
Shannon & Kristi Hopkins
Missionaries
Shannon and Kristi Hopkins met in high school at First Baptist Church Gordon, Texas. In 2000 Shannon and Kristi married. They have 3 kids, Tyler, Emma and Isabella. Before serving in Honduras, the Hopkins served in youth ministry for 10 years. Throughout this time they have participated in various mission trips all over the world. It was on one of these trips that they went on a vision trip to Gracias, Honduras. They left with a calling to go live and serve God and the people of Honduras. Both Shannon and Kristi were called to the mission field before they were married but God also confirmed this calling as a couple. After much prayer and seeking the guidance of their closest peers, colleagues, and family they surrendered to the call. The Hopkins founded 61 Isaiah Ministries and moved to Gracias, Lempira in 2011.
In September 2009, the Hopkins formed 61 Isaiah Ministries and began raising support. They left the U.S. December 28, 2010 to attend Language School in Costa Rica. In June 2011 they moved to Gracias, Lempira, Honduras.
Edith Ayala
Missionary
Edith is from Gracias, Lempira, Honduras where she lives with her parents and 2 siblings. At the age of seven, she received a scholarship to attend and then graduated from Abundant Life Christian School. This school is where she met the Hopkins, who she had as her Bible and Family Living teachers. She began working with their team as a babysitter and translator in 2014. Here is her story in her words, "I saw how happy my people were with us just being there, kids playing with people that didn’t know their language but that not being an obstacle for them to enjoy their time together, and people walking in the rain to have a church service with the ‘’gringos.” But what impressed me the most was going back to those villages a year later and seeing the people with joy in their eyes, welcoming us as if we were a part of their family. With experiences like this, I started developing a need in my heart to keep doing this. I started praying about it and I had many ideas, but finally I decided that since God gave me the gift of knowing a second language, it is so I can use it for His glory. " She officially joined our team in August 2016.
Joshua Dykes
Missionary
Joshua Dykes from Mount Pleasant, Texas where he grew up with his awesome parents (Chris and Martha) and his younger brother (Brandon). Josh grew up attending First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant along with his family and his relationship with Christ started when he was 9 years-old and asked his parents, “If Jesus is perfect and I am not, then why would He die for me?” To which they responded, “Because He loves you.” From that moment onward, Joshua started the crazy and fulfilling adventure that we call being a Christian. Josh continued to learn about God’s will for his life and when he was 16 years-old he felt a call to ministry. He followed this call to Howard Payne University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry, Public Policy (from the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy), and a minor in Spanish. He has worked in youth ministry for the past 4 years and believes that his time in ministry has prepared him to work in adaptive innovative ways. Joshua came to Gracias for the first time on a short-term mission with Southside Church and returned again the next year. It was after this second stay in Honduras that Joshua joined the missions team. Josh likes learning, reading, making new friends, listening to music, and playing basketball.
Ever Leon
Farm Manager Assistant & Translator
Ever is from Copan Ruinas, Copan, Honduras. His parents taught him and his siblings that the best choice one can make is to follow Jesus. At the age of 14, Ever decided that he should use his ability to speak more than one language for the glory of God. With that decision came the opportunity for him to work with a local missionary connected to his home church. He then fully realized the blessing of his gift as he was able to help communicate the gospel in a way that others around him could understand.
Ever came to work for 61 Isaiah after being extended an invitation to join. 61 Isaiah had been praying for another Honduran team member when Kristi heard about Ever and the work he was doing in Copan. Ever was also praying about what to do next, because the missionaries he was working with had planned to return to the States. After meeting with Shannon and Kristi, Ever made the courageous choice to move away from his family and join 61 Isaiah in Gracias, Lempira.
Spencer Wolverton
Communications, Promotion, and Marketing Director
Spencer Wolverton grew up in the ministry along with her parents Kelly and Susan, and her two older sister Kelsan and Sharon. They moved multiple times within Texas. Her relationship with Christ started at age seven. She told her mother that she wanted a love similar to the one her parents and grandparents had. Throughout the next several years of her life the Lord taught her many things and continuously guided her path by opening and shutting doors. Eventually the Lord lead her to Howard Payne University, where many other hard lessons were learned. She graduated in 2019 with a B.S. in Communication and a minor in Psychology. Spencer joined our team after the Lord revealed to her that He wanted to use her in Honduras. She said, "God can use anyone as long as they are obedient, but there must be joy in our obedience."
Hannah Williamson
Field Logistics Coordinator
My name is Hannah Williamson. I am from Fort Worth, Texas and I am currently finishing up my first year of teaching at Abundant Life Christian School in Honduras. Next year I am excited to join the 61 Isaiah team as their Field Logistics Coordinator. I was first introduced to 61 Isaiah after my junior year of college when I served as a summer missionary. Since then I’ve graduated college and served as an on campus missionary at Howard Payne University for a year until I moved to Honduras. Being a teacher has been challenging and growing in multiple ways and I’m thankful to have had this opportunity. Next year I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store as I begin full time ministry with 61 Isaiah.
Jeff and Michelle Holloway
Missionaries
Jeff Holloway surrendered to the ministry his freshman year of college, and began serving as youth minister at Calvery Baptist in Cisco, Texas. After five years of service, God relocated him to First Baptist Church Crosby. For the past 32 years, he has served there as a minister of: youth, education, administration, and missions and evangelism. While serving at his current church, God introduced Jeff to his lovely wife, Michelle Smith. God placed a clear calling in Michelle's life to love, care, and minister to others, and after getting married, the couple began serving alongside one another. God has blessed them with three wonderful children: Matthew, Samuel, and Caroline. Together they have served in 15 countries located on four different continents, with the majority being Spanish speaking countries.
While on a one month trip in Honduras, to learn spanish and discover future mission opportunities for FBC Crosby, they met a kindred spirit within 61 Isaiah, Shannon Hopkins. Jeff and Michelle, visited with 61 Isaiah in hopes of starting a partnership between the organization and their church. It was then that God began to develop a deep love for the people of Honduras. As time passed, it became clear that God was leading their family to serve Him in Honduras, alongside 61 Isaiah.
Micah and Lindsey Jimison
Lenca Hunger Farm Manager
Micah is a Hoosier born, Arizona mountain-raised, Texan who really only feels at home wherever he can build the Kingdom of God. As the fourth of five children to pastor parents he quite literally grew up in the church. After graduating from high school, Micah decided to follow in his parents steps by pursuing full-time vocational ministry. Yet, he did not know exactly where God was calling him in ministry, so he followed where he felt called - first to Houston Baptist University where he and Lindsey met. Lindsey was born and raised in the great state of Texas. She grew up the third of four in a farmer family where there was always a job to do and a good
home cooked meal shared with the family. During her college experience God revealed to her the passion she had for ministry and serving Him. In their Junior year of college, Micah and Lindsey started dating. The more they talked the more they realized how their passion for ministry and dream of serving the Spanish speaking community aligned. They got married in January of 2020, and soon after, made the decision to walk with 61 Isaiah and be a part of bringing God’s kingdom in service and humility to the Lenca people.
Board of Directors
Cliff Watson
Board President
Cliff and Janet Watson have been associated with 61 Isaiah Ministries since 2011 and Cliff has served as president of the board since that time. They have been married for 30 years and have three daughters, a son and daughter-in-law. They are both graduates of Texas Tech University and live near Terrell, Texas. Cliff is a mechanical engineer and works in the electric power generation business.
Cliff Swofford
Vice President
My name is Cliff Swofford. I have been married to my wife Aleshia for 15 years and we have two boys. Aleshia and I have been involved with 61 Isaiah since 2011, when we first visited Honduras on a mission trip. We have been back multiple times, every year since. I was blessed to join the board in 2018. Aleshia is an elementary teacher in Sanger, Texas and I work for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as a Game Warden. We, along with our two boys, worship at First Baptist Church, Sanger, Tx where I currently serve as a deacon, missions committee chair, and RA Director. We are extremely proud to be a part of this ministry and look forward to seeing God continue His incredible work in Central America.
Rusty Johnson
Treasurer
My name is Rusty Johnson. I have been married for 22 years to my wife Michelle and have been blessed with 2 children, Brooke and Preston. I have been on the 61 Isaiah ministry board since the board's inception. We are members of First Baptist Church in West, Texas where I currently serve as a deacon and youth Sunday school teacher. I have also been teaching AWANA’s for children at FBC West. I lead a Coaches Outreach bible study for the coaches of West ISD. I own a small construction company and specialize in dirt work. I am thankful to be a part of 61 Isaiah Ministry and have enjoyed seeing relationships strengthened in Honduras in order to bring God glory and minister to the people of this country.
Don Tyra
Secretary
Don has been happily married to Lora for 24 years. They have 2 girls and one son in law, Maddison, Kyndal and her new husband JT. He currently is an employee of Pactiv, a Reynold’s company. He works as a process technician in the EPS cups side. He is a former employee of Hoot Johnson Construction, former marine, student minister and camp director. Don serves as a deacon at FBC West and teaches a Sunday school class called “Coffee and Camo.” He has a strong desire for discipleship where people transition from learners to followers of Christ. Don has been on the 61 Isaiah Ministry board since 2011 at it’s beginning stages.
Cathy Knouse
Accountant
Cathy is married to her sweetheart, Ron. She is from Teague where she met the Hopkins. She has been working with 61 Isaiah Ministries since 2015.