about us

about us

STAFF

WGA Staff Members consider ourselves “wounded healers.” We have experienced some of the same conflicts as WGA group members and we are willing to share that experience. We make no claim to be able to “change” anyone in any way. We believe that it is only God who can change people whenever (if ever) He chooses.

Staff members have stated their agreement with WGA purposes, philosophy, policies and procedures, and they have committed to live up to the established criteria for staff. All staff members are required to belong to a local church whose leadership supports their involvement with us.

Roger Jones

Roger Jones

Executive Director

In the spring of 1995, the conflict Roger felt between his faith and his sexuality, as well as an addiction to pornography, led him to WGA. His personal journey has provided him unique insights into sexuality and the pain of adversity, which he shares through his testimony, facilitation of small groups, writing and public speaking.

Roger began working with WGA in October of 1996 as the Assistant office Manager. Since that time, he has worn many hats and served in several different positions, including Assistant Program Director and Operations Director. In April of 2007, Roger assumed the position of Executive Director.

Roger attended West Texas A&M University, where he studied Music Business. Much of his training has been “on the job,” where he was mentored by the ministry’s Founder, Mary Heathman, and the Program Director, Scott Kingry. He holds a BA in General Studies from West Texas A&M University.

Roger, his wife Jill, and their daughter Julia, and son William, attend a Presbyterian Church where Jill serves as Associate Pastor.

Scott Kingry

Scott Kingry

Program Director

A staff member since June of 1992, Scott is a key player in the WGA discipleship ministry. He plans, organizes, and implements every aspect of the Thursday night support group. In addition to public speaking, counseling group participants and training leaders, Scott maintains personal contact with many group members and it is to Scott’s credit that many group members feel personally welcomed, cared for and loved.

Although he holds a degree in graphic arts, he attributes his ministry qualifications to the “school of hard knocks.” God’s abundant grace continues to be the instrument of growth in his life, and he desires to be firmly grounded in the forgiveness and freedom of relationship with Jesus Christ.

Scott attends a Presbyterian Church.

Mary Heathman

Mary Heathman

Founding Director

Mary is one of the founders of Where Grace Abounds and served as Executive Director from its inception on July, 1986 through March 31st, 2007.  She speaks and teaches at churches and conferences across the country. She has also served on several boards of non-profit organizations, is a conference speaker on a variety of topics that include: Intimacy with God, Healthy Sexuality, and leadership development.  She currently serves in leadership in her denomination. Mary’s favorite ministry roles are discipleship counseling, group facilitation, and leadership development.

Mary often characterizes herself as “a seeker of Truth” and has a long-standing fascination with human behavior and motivation.  Her education consists of lay and discipleship counseling, independent study about the integration of psychology and theology, counseling and human sexuality. She also holds a BS in Human Services and an MA in Psychology from Regis University.

Mary attends a Friends (Quaker) Church.

Steve Huston | Jill Huston

Steve Huston | Jill Huston

Chaplain & Church Liaison | Friends & Family Coordinator, Hospitality

In 2005, Steve and Jill began attending when one of their adult children disclosed their same-sex relationship.  They began participating  in the Friends and Family group and over time joined the leadership team.  Steve and Jill have been married for 38 years; have 4 adult children, and 8 grandchildren.

Steve retired from Raytheon after 33 years in 2012.  Steve has a BS in Mathematics from CSU, MA in Counseling from Colorado Christian University and a Chaplain Certificate from Denver Seminary.  In 2013, he joined the staff as a Chaplain and church liaison.  He meets with individuals to provide spiritual direction, participates in discipleship counseling, facilitates small groups, and communicates with local churches concerning the ministry of WGA.

Jill joined the leadership team in 2007 and started serving as a volunteer staff for the Friends and Family group in 2010.  In 2010, she started organizing the semi-annual gathering of Friends and Family activities and other activities such as the 25-year WGA anniversary celebration.

Jill has a BS in Home Economics Education from CSU. She was a licensed teacher for many years.  Jill enjoys planning and organizing events, meeting with individuals, and providing hospitality. In 2013, she joined the staff to coordinate the Friends and Family ministry.  She is active in leading small groups, discipleship counseling and coordinating the monthly newcomer breakfast.

Steve and Jill attend an Inter-Denominational Church.

Greg Navitsky

Greg Navitsky

While growing up in Arlington Heights, IL, it wasn’t until the start of my senior year did I start to wonder if Jesus was worth considering. For me, it took the intellectual, communal, and personal components to come together to say – yes – to Him. I like to say He captured the restlessness of my soul and like a guitar restrung my heart with the cords of eternity and it hasn’t gone back since.

Shortly after coming to know Jesus as my greatest hope and reality, my father died. Since then, I’ve taken great comfort in Corrie Ten Boom’s words, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

Then, not long after that, a family member came out to me. For the first time this dimension of life – spirituality and sexuality – wasn’t an abstract concept, this was and is a person. After attending to them with grace and truth, an odd phenomenon kept happening to me, or has it been for something? Individuals would continually trust me with their questions, wounds, and curiosities about their sexuality. At this point, it’s climbed to 15+. From there, I’ve invested the better part of eight years being engaged with individuals and immersed in the dizzying array of literature on these areas of our personhood.

I’ve found Elizabeth Elliot’s words to have great bearing on our cultural moment: “Faith doesn’t eliminate questions, but faith knows where to take them.” Two prayers that have grounded and guided my life are: “I long to have faith and obedience like those I see in the Scriptures, and I long to preach the gospel to the nations.”

Those are my life’s aims. Among my love of books, reflection, and nurturing meaningful relationships, I enjoy good coffee, jazz music, golf, snowboarding, the movies, pizza (pepperoni), cooking, the mountains, and the beach as well as traveling.

I hold an MDiv from Denver Seminary, and I hope to gain more clarity on pursuing a PhD in the coming years.

I’m humbled and honored to join the WGA staff and contribute to the on-going space they are curating for every person, every story, and every beautiful and broken aspect of our human experience.