O U R T E A M
WHO WE ARE
Midwest Mission Staff
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Chantel is known for her energy and passion. She is living out her passion and purpose as Executive Director of Midwest Mission.
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Chantel Corrie
Executive Director
Chantel is known for her energy and passion. She is living out her passion and purpose as Executive Director of Midwest Mission. She was first called to serve as the Director of Development for the nonprofit in 2015. Soon after, she felt God’s call to a connections position at First United Methodist Church in Springfield. “I learned and grew so much in every aspect of my life during the two years I served at Springfield First UMC, but most importantly, I became a truly devoted disciple of Christ."
God led her back to Midwest Mission at the end of those two years to lead the organization. “ I am so grateful God has called me here to be a conduit for God's work." Chantel is passionate about using missions to get new people involved in the church and grow the discipleship of current attendees. "We were created to serve and there is nothing like the joy that comes from service. The happiest people I have ever met have been the people who dedicate their lives to service."
Chantel was raised in Broadlands, IL and graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Human Resources Management, and split her time in the Army Reserves. Chantel and her husband Brian live in Pawnee with their three daughters, Kerrigan, Makenna and Miranda. Her passion is to help people experience Jesus and the joy that comes from service.
Chantel's prayer for Midwest Mission: "Midwest Mission will bring hope to those receiving our gifts but also to those who have donated and put the gifts together.
In 2020 Chantel was recognized by the Springfield Business Journal list of central Illinois business leaders for "Forty under 40". She was recognized in 2021 by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce as a nominee for Not-For-Profit Director of the Year. In 2021, she also graduated from the Chamber Leadership Springfield Program. In 2022, she graduated from Indiana University's School of Philanthropy in Executive Non-Profit Leadership and Management.
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Email: chantel@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.714.6078
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Brad Walton
Director of Operations
Brad came on staff at Midwest Mission October of 2013. He is no stranger to Midwest Mission having collaborated in shipments and disbursements previously. He has been a friend of Midwest Mission for years! Brad has a lot of experience in warehouse logistics and operations. He has also traveled with shipments and seen disbursements in action; seeing with his own eyes the need of God's people both nationally and internationally. Brad's role is to assist staff and volunteers in daily operations. He also oversees the overall building and grounds maintenance, upkeep and construction, as well as the acquisition, organization, and distribution of supplies. When asked what he likes about working at Midwest Mission he said "Helping those in need!"
Brad's prayer for Midwest Mission: "Continue to partner with others while not forgetting our roots."
Email: brad@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.358.6675
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Melissa Brookens
Reservation Coordinator
Melissa started at Midwest Mission as Reservations Coordinator in December of 2023.
Melissa and her husband, Tom, have two wonderful children and they live with two ornery cats. Her daughter Catherine has recently started as a part-time missionary in Arlington, Texas at The Prayer Room and her son Drew is finishing up his term in the USMC. She graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a degree in Forest Resource Science. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hanging out with her extended family, and leading worship for Tent of Meeting revivals.
Melissa’s prayer for Midwest Mission: That the staff and volunteers be a conduit to help unify the believers of Jesus by demonstrating the power and glory of God’s love to everyone through practical endeavors.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
"I love when God shows up! Throughout my life, I have had many highs and lows, but He has always shown His wonderful light upon the path I needed to take. We only have to take one step out in faith and God will meet us the rest of the way. ”
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Email: melissa@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217-494-6113
Office Phone: 217-483-7911
Cindy Chase
Business Manager
Cindy joined the staff at Midwest Mission in 2015 as the part-time bookkeeper. A couple of years later she came on full-time as the Office Manager and is now the Business Manager. Her role has changed a lot over the years as Midwest Mission and its staff have grown and she has enjoyed the challenge of learning all the parts of the job and making them work together. Cindy keeps track of all the numbers - the inventory, the data, the donations, the volunteers, etc - so we can share all the amazing things God is doing at Midwest Mission.
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Cindy graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University and has worked at various jobs in New York City, Clearwater, FL, Nashville, TN, and Chatham, IL before landing at Midwest Mission. She and her husband, Steven, are empty-nesters living outside Chatham on a piece of the farm that has been in his family since 1836. They have 2 awesome sons, Adam (Chicagoland) and Luke (Denver, CO), who come to visit when they can. In their free time, they enjoy backpacking, fly fishing, windsurfing, and hanging out with their kids.
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Cindy’s prayer for Midwest Mission: “That God will continue to bless Midwest Mission and help us reach those in need, wherever they may be.”
Email: cindy@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.697.4136
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Emma Gibbs
Communications Specialist
Emma Gibbs joined the Midwest Mission team as the Communications Specialist in August of 2024. Her role at Midwest Mission is to assist the Communications Manager, Mallory Webster in creating the campaigns that are released via social media, newsletters, and webpages. She is currently attending Lincoln Land Community College as a sophomore to obtain her associates in graphic design.
While at Midwest Mission, Emma is able to combine her two greatest passions: missions and design. “God placed the desire in my heart to help people find their way to Him and He blessed me with the skills to reach them in an artistic way!” It has been such a blessing for Emma to join the team at Midwest Mission and live out her God-given purpose as a follower of Christ.
Emma lives in Chatham with two of her best friends and her dog named Frederick. She loves spending weekends with her big and loud family, especially when it involves drinking coffee and visiting on the porch of her parents’ log cabin.
Emma’s prayer for Midwest Mission: “That the volunteers who come would experience the joys of serving in God’s kingdom and the receivers of that service would be blessed by the work that God is doing in their personal lives and all around the world!”
Email: emma@midwestmission.org
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Lisa Rigoni
Development Manager
Lisa Rigoni came to Midwest Mission at the end of August 2021 as Communications Manager. In May of 2022, the role of Development Manager was created to more fully express her passion for listening to others and sharing stories in authentic relationships. She is excited to share her heart for Jesus and Midwest Mission through speaking opportunities at churches, businesses, various conferences and events, and she loves one-on-one and small group dynamics. Lisa leads Midwest Mission campus tours and coordinates speaking engagements.
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“One of the many blessings I have as Development Manager is to talk to folks about giving opportunities. Each gift matters – whether financial, through prayer or volunteer time. I have found that true joy comes from heartfelt giving, and I have the privilege of sharing the beautiful impact of that joy,” Lisa said. “The stories we hear every day from our volunteers, partner organizations, financial donors and importantly, the recipients of Midwest Mission’s outreach, can only be orchestrated by God! There is so much he can do when we partner with him first. I get to invite people to experience all of it first-hand!”
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Lisa’s career includes extensive work in public/media relations, marketing, event planning, development, speaking and entrepreneurial endeavors.
She and husband, Mike, live on the Midwest Mission Campus in the Staff House and love it. They have been married over three decades and have three grown children, who have each blessed them with a grandchild. She says her favorite title and role of all time is "Nana." The two older grands started their first day of kindergarten the same day Lisa started with Midwest Mission. "I believe that my being at Midwest Mission was God-orchestrated. The timing and way it came about could have only come from him.”
Lisa's prayer for Midwest Mission: "I pray that the love, compassion and mercy of Christ is multiplied in ways we can't dream or imagine because of what Christ does through our work, volunteers, resources, and hearts for Jesus."
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Email: lisa@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.697.4681/217.553.6781
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Mallory Webster
Communications Manager
Mallory Webster started at Midwest Mission as the Communications Manager in June of 2022. Mallory has always had a heart for mission work and sharing the work that is being done for the Kingdom, and is passionate about the work done here at Midwest Mission. She loves being able to be the hands and feet of Jesus all over the world from right here in the Midwest. Mallory graduated from Lincoln Christian University in 2022 with a BA in Business Administration. Mallory lives in Springfield with her husband, Seth.
Mallory' s prayer for Midwest Mission is that the Lord will continue using Midwest Mission as a vessel for the work being done for His Kingdom, and that every volunteer that Midwest Mission reaches will fall in love with serving the Kingdom of God.
Email: mallory@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.457.4600
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Teresa Whitehouse
Project Manager
Teresa Whitehouse started on November 28, 2022 as the Project Manager for Midwest Mission after having worked in the corporate service industry for 18 years. Teresa, her husband Jeff and daughters Ashley and Megan moved from Kentucky to Illinois in 2004 following the Lord’s leadership in ministry. Teresa has assisted her husband in ministry for over 30 years. Since 2013 she has led a weekly women’s small group, First Ladies, at her home.
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Teresa’s prayer for Midwest Mission: “I pray that love will overshadow everything we do and fill in the cracks where we may fall short.”
Email: teresa@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217-457-4030
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Pat Wright
Reservation Coordinator
Pat Wright started at Midwest Mission in 2005 as the office manager. In 2008 she was hired by the board of directors as the executive director. She served 10 years in that capacity until her retirement 12/31/17. She volunteered until asked to come back to manage a couple of projects in August 2018. She now works part-time as the reservation coordinator. Pat primarily works on the volunteer matrix registration system and answers phones.
She is married to Don and lives in Springfield, IL. She has two grown children, Brant and Missy, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. She attends Sugar Creek UMC where she is part of the leadership team and sings in the choir. She is also active in the Central Illinois Emmaus Community. Pat loves to read and travel.
She also loves serving at Midwest Mission with the volunteers she has developed friendships with over the years.
Pat's prayer for Midwest Mission is that Midwest Mission can continue to grow and share God’s restoration to those in need.
Email: pat@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.697.4063
Office Phone: 217.483.7911 ​
Barb Hedinger
Volunteer Manager
Barb Hedinger began at Midwest Mission as a volunteer before joining the staff in 2018. She can be found anywhere from the Kit Room to the warehouses, coordinating and assisting the wonderful people who choose to give of their time and talents to help Midwest Mission. Her goal is to make sure each volunteer feels welcome and that their contribution to this ministry is valued.
Barb and her sweet husband (Steve) have three fantastic daughters (Hallie, Hannah and Grace) and three crazy cats (Nelson, Lewis and Timi). She lives in an 1869 farmhouse just around the corner from the farm where she grew up. She has a degree in education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has taught Kindergarten, first grade and home-school.
Barb’s prayer for Midwest Mission is that the staff, volunteers and donors continue to be a conduit of love, acceptance and peace to those in need.
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Email: barb@midwestmission.org
Phone: 217.457.4400
Office Phone: 217.483.7911
Evan Frazee
Mission in Motion Assistant
Evan Frazee joined the Midwest Mission staff in 2024 to join the Mission in Motion team.
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Evan's prayer for Midwest Mission
Sarah Frazee
Inventory Specialist
Sarah Frazee joined Midwest Mission as a volunteer in 2020, helping a few days a week with kits and warehouse duties. Her skills and heart for others led her to become part of the staff in 2021. Her attention to details and out-of-the-box thinking serve Midwest Mission well. She works part time and can be found in the warehouse, usually organizing the flow of inventory and ensuring everything is in the correct spot. You might also see Sarah's family serving as volunteers. Her husband, Joe, helps out in the bike shop and her teen-aged daughter and son come in as needed and even bring their friends to serve.
Sarah's prayer for Midwest Mission: "I pray that the people receiving the gifts we send feel the love that our volunteers put into them."
Email: sarah@midwestmission.org
Brett King
Operations Specialist
Brett joined the Midwest Mission team in September of 2024. He is the Operations Specialist.
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Brett works in the warehouse, preparing items for shipment, and driving for large donation pick ups. Brett is also part of the Mission in Motion Program. He prepares Blessing Bag Packs, and will be part of the delivery team.
Ramon Ortiz
Operations Manager
Ramon Ortiz started with Midwest Mission in October of 2018 as the Operations Specialist. He is originally from the East Coast and has been living in Springfield, IL for four years. He is a US Army Veteran who served three terms (total of 18 years) retiring as Sergeant. Ramon has three children ages 19, 17 and 9. Since joining Midwest Mission, Ramon has met many terrific people and made many amazing connections. Ramon hopes to continue with what God has planned for him by serving in this ministry.
Ramon's prayer for Midwest Mission: "We would continue to touch the lives of those around the world, so they know God's love through his children."
Email: ramon@midwestmission.org
Jeff Whitehouse
Safety and Compliance Manager
Jeff Whitehouse started in 2023 as a volunteer helping with Blessing Bag packs and various projects. In August of 2024, after a long career in Transportation Safety, Jeff joined the Midwest Mission staff as the Safety and Compliance Manager. Jeff is an ordained minister and has served in several pastoral positions over the last 30+ years.
Jeff and his wife Teresa live in Springfield IL. They love spending time with their daughters Ashley and Megan. Jeff and Teresa are from Central Kentucky and are avid Wildcat fans.
Jeff’s prayer for Midwest Mission is that we will always extend compassion and love around the world and around the corner. That we would facilitate a venue of serving, equip people with the skills to serve and encourage them to go and love like Christ.
Danille Curtis
Iowa Public Relations Specialist
Danille joined Midwest Mission in 2021. She was key in getting our Jefferson location off the ground, and building a community for Midwest Mission in Iowa. Now, Danille is the Iowa Public Relations Specialist, spreading the word about Midwest Mission around Iowa. She speaks at churches and organizations about Midwest Mission.
Danille holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Simpson College and has worked for several years in the banking industry in workplace culture and organizational leadership. Under her leadership, her employer has received several workplace culture awards including consistently being named in the Top 10 Iowa Top Workplaces, Extraordinary Bank of the Year and Iowa Main Street Outstanding Business.
She and her husband, Kent, live on the family farm in northern Greene County, Iowa, and have two college-aged children at Simpson College and Iowa State University. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, spending time in her flower gardens and her two Australian Shepherds.
Danille’s prayer for Midwest Mission is that we will continue to grow to reach new volunteers wishing to serve so that our efforts may be multiplied and we can in turn bless more people with our gifts.
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Email: danille@midwestmission.org
Phone: 515-351-1166
Office Phone: 515-386-2236
Alaire Willits
Iowa Volunteer Coordinator
Alaire has been a long-time partner of Midwest Mission, serving as a Board Member for Midwest Mission and as the coordinator for Iowa Ingathering. In 2023, Alaire joined the Midwest Mission staff as the Iowa Volunteer Coordinator. She works to create a wonderful and consistent volunteer experience for those serving at our Jefferson, Iowa location.
Dedicated to God's calling, and a life-long United Methodist, Alaire has served for 30+ years in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church – first as a Diaconal Minister in Christian Education and then as a Licensed Local Pastor.
Alaire has three adult children and five grandchildren. She has had several vocations, including a middle school teacher, working in retail, an office manager for a truckline, ministry positions, and now, Volunteer Coordinator.
Throughout her life, Alaire has learned what she loves most — living her faith through hands-on mission.
Alaire's prayer for Midwest Mission is that we may continue to help others discover the joy of giving through their hands and heart. The Spirit brings us together to do God's work, and everyone can be involved.
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Email: alaire@midwestmission.org
Phone: 712-212-5333
Office Phone: 515-386-2236