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. ​

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 the Marketing Director at South Georgia House of Hope and the Administrative Director at Evans Memorial Camp. Rick and Stephany recently had  their son 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. ​

Resident Manager

William "Billy" and Caitlin Gross live today from a foundation of love, committed to seeing the fruit of forgiveness. Billy has overcome a twenty five year addiction by daily surrender to God's will. He graduated at Dunklin Memorial Camp and stayed on to complete stage two training. He has been a part of Kairos Prison Ministry and currently leads a Celebrate Recovery small group. Billy has answered the call of God on his life and knows his purpose is to help others to see that there is a better way. As Resident Manager he leads the men to the heart of God in class, at work and throughout daily routines. Caitlin has a background of nursing and teaching which has allowed her purpose  to be all the more evident as she co-labors with her husband. Together they teach Family Recovery giving the husbands and wives the practical tools needed to walk in reconciliation. They reside at the camp with their youngest child Jacob while William and Kyleigh, Billy's older children come for visits  on the weekends. Today they are sowing seed that will reap a bountiful harvest.