In the Field
Shannon & Kristi Hopkins
Lead 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.
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. 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.
Jose Mauricio Vicente Romero
Village Ministry & Pastor
Mauricio and his lovely wife, Bercely, have three children named Mauricio, Regina, and Carlitos. When Mauricio was little, his parents divorced. Due to their divorce, he spent most of his childhood with his grandmother. She was a devout Catholic woman who taught him to fear and love the Lord. Mauricio was strictly raised, and when he went off to college to study agriculture, a whole new set of ideals was placed on him. He was expected to be a strong man, and to partake in drinking, drugs, and other actions that make one a "tough man". All the lies he had adopted disappeared after he attended a retreat. He cried out to God for help, asking him to break his chains of addiction. He told God, "If you are really calling me to the ministry, take this addiction from me." After Mauricio asked for help, God took away his addiction. He is currently a pastor of a church in Gracias, Lempira, Honduras, and joined the 61 Isaiah field based team.
Kylie Johnson
Missionary
Kylie grew up in Abbott, Texas along with her parents, Bryan, and Lesley, and two younger brothers,
Kadyn, and Karsyn. She also grew up in the church where many of her earliest and fondest memories were made. Her relationship with Christ started at the young age of six.
Throughout her walk with Christ, she has been blessed by others who have encouraged her and challenged her to grow in her faith. As she continued learning about God, she felt called to missions. Kylie attended Howard Payne University and graduated in May 2021, with a bachelor’s degree in Cross-cultural studies. As she was preparing for the next steps after graduation, she remembered the short-term mission trip to Gracias with Southside Church. Kylie wanted to serve,
especially in a Spanish-speaking community. God has opened the doors for Kylie to serve with 61 Isaiah, and she is excited to see what God has in store during her time in Honduras.
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
Cliff Swofford and Aleshia have been involved with 61 Isaiah since 2011, when they first visited Honduras on a mission trip. They have returned multiple times, every year since. They joined the board in 2018, and claim it was a blessing. Aleshia is an elementary teacher in Sanger, Texas and Cliff works for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as a Game Warden. The couple along with their two boys, worship at First Baptist Church, Sanger, Tx where they currently serve. Cliff and Aleshia stated, "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
Rusty Johnson and Michelle have been on the 61 Isaiah ministry board since the board's inception. They have two children, Brooke and Preston, and are members of First Baptist Church in West, Texas where they currently serve. Rusty has also been teaching AWANA’s for children at FBC West and leads Coaches Outreach Bible Study for the coaches of West ISD. He owns a small construction company and specialize in dirt work. The sweet couple shared how they feel as board members, "We are 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 29 years. They have 2 girls, one son in law and one soon to be son in Law (Shane). His son in law JT, and daughters
Kyndal and Madison. He currently is self-employed as owner of MadKyn Services. He is a former employee of Pactiv, a Reynold’s owned company where he
worked as a Supervisor and Process Technician. He is a former employee of Hoot Johnson Construction, former US Marine, student minister and Operations Manager
at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment. Don serves as a deacon at FBC West.” 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.
Dr. Rusty Wheelington
Board Member
Rusty and his wife, Laurie, joined the 61 Isaiah board in 2019 and has been to Honduras numerous times. Having grown up in Texarkana, Texas, Rusty and his wife, Laurie, now call Brownwood home. They have two sons, Caleb and Nathan, a cat named Kevin (even though it’s a girl) and two dogs named Nacho and Honey. Rusty is a professor at Howard Payne University and currently serves as a teaching pastor, youth minster, and missions team leader at Southside Church in Brownwood, while also enjoying the opportunity to serve other churches and ministries when available.
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.