Founders

Rick Wagner has personally experienced the chains of alcoholism and the effects of drugs on children and families and now has big heart after God. Sharon’s background includes a 15-year addiction to cocaine which she overcame in 1987 with the love of God and the discipline of Teen Challenge. While at the Walter Hoving Home in New York, Sharon received a vision to provide a home for women – a place of safety and healing. For many years, Rick has had a vision  to birth a City of Refuge in Lakeland Georgia to see men and their families healed and set free from addiction.  In 2005, out of a passion to bring healing and freedom to women struggling with alcohol, drugs and abuse, Rick and Sharon founded South Georgia House of Hope. Today that same passion resides as Evans Memorial Camp  is established. Together they have five children and five grandchildren. Through the power of prayer and Gods love they have witnessed the transformation of their family's lives, and are honored to pave the way for other generations to experience restoration.  They began a journey of faith that will last a lifetime. ​

Uli Degwert

Uli Degwert came to the U.S. from Germany when he was seventeen years old. Being raised in a culture that had alcohol beverages for breakfast and been given such starting at ten years old, Uli did not know how alcohol could potentially lead him down a dark path. 

Directors

Rick and Stephany Wagner both come from a past of addiction and have experienced God’s redemption. Rick graduated the program at Dunklin, went through their Servant Leadership Training and served on staff for three years. He is an Ordained Minister and has served in the Men's Program at Dunklin, the Kids Church, and the Men's Program at Martin County Jail. He has an AS Degree in Theology from Freedom Seminary. Since moving to Georgia Rick was involved with the Youth at Southland Church, and Kairos Prison Ministry. Presently Rick is the Director of Evans Memorial Camp. Stephany graduated from the Refuge Ranch and The Women’s Refuge of Vero Beach. She continued with a two year Discipleship Program and has worked with the Outreach Program called “Shine Girls” at Care Net Pregnancy Center. She has her AS degree in Human Services and serves as a Mentor at South Georgia House of Hope and is the Administrative Director at Evans Memorial Camp. Rick and Stephany have four children, Gloryana Jubilee Rose Wagner, Richard William Titus Wagner, and enjoy visits with Rick's older twin boys Jacob and Tyler. Together they live out of a passionate and sustaining desire to give back what they have been given. ​