LEADERSHIP

DIRECTOR OF BOARD

Jenny Waltman

Jenny began a friendship with Jesus when she was five years old and she has been on the ride of a lifetime. If only she had known what she was saying “yes” to when she started praying about providing food support to Birmingham families.

A graduate of Samford University, insurance adjuster for six years, a bookkeeper, an entrepreneur, with her husband Jason, through Grace Klein Construction, Inc., a mama to two biological children and many others, a writer and avid reader, and a servant leader of Grace Klein Community as Director of the Board, her journey is beautifully amazing, stretching and fulfilling.

She serves behind the scenes, in a daily capacity, with Grace Klein Community to propel vision, develop structures, oversee record keeping and non-profit compliance, and assist in community support advocacy, volunteer engagement and relevant education regarding combating food waste, early church principles and resourcefulness.

“The moment we begin walking in a relationship with Jesus, He changes everything. We start to see what He sees, desire to love how He loves and realize that the moments we are the most fulfilled are the moments when we are giving ourselves away. Come join us in an incredible adventure of life on mission.”

“God’s plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.” – Colossians 1:27

MINISTRY ADVOCATE

Natalie Spronk

Natalie moved across the ocean in obedience to Jesus. Though she will literally do anything to propel the mission, vision and purpose of Grace Klein Community, her focus is global partner advocacy, business, church and donor engagement and operations management. Natalie is a native of South Africa with 13 years of experience in administration and Human Resource Management.

In 2013, Natalie committed to serve onsite in Zambia, alongside the Directors of Kwathu Ministries, Jeanette and Agripa Phiri. In a privileged and blessed position, Natalie shared love, life and faith with the precious Kwathu children, empowering and investing in the future generation. Evey child should know that are accepted and known. No matter what obstacles or setbacks come, Father God can transform our hurt into a testimony of His saving Grace.

In 2014, her original two month plan was a visit to Grace Klein Community as an advocate for partner ministry, Kwathu Ministries, but God had other plans. Grace Klein Community applied with immigration for her to remain in the United States to serve in Birmingham, AL, under an R1 VISA. Now, we await approval for her Green Card application. We pray Natalie will be allowed a lifetime of ministry with Grace Klein Community.

“I may be over 8,000 miles away from my home, family and friends, but I am home, I have family, and there is nothing more fulfilling than walking in the Lord’s will for your life.”

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” – Psalm 18:30

FACILITY ASSISTANT

Lauren Stearns

Lauren is the facility assistant for Grace Klein Community where she coordinates the incoming and outcoming of all food we share. Originally from Trussville, she has lived in Birmingham, AL, the last four years. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Samford University and is completing her Master of Social Work from Samford University. She served at Grace Klein for the 2019 – 2020 school year as a social work intern and decided she liked it so much that she wanted to join the team! Lauren also works part-time as an Associate Girls Minister at CrossPoint Church.

Lauren enjoys nature and spending time outside. She is always down for a good hike or kayaking day. Lauren is constantly ready for a dance party and would have music playing 24/7 as the soundtrack to her life if she could. Lauren also has a heart for missions and a passion for the global Church. She has spent time serving the Church abroad and enjoys befriending the international population here in Birmingham.

“I love being a part of Grace Klein Community. There is something so special about this place and these people. The Lord is clearly working in Birmingham, and I am so grateful to be a small part of what is happening here. I am passionate about food and have learned so much about food insecurity in the last year. I am eager to share my knowledge with others and serve the community as Christ has called me to do.”

ADMINISTRATOR

DonDee Osburn

DonDee provides administrative support to the Grace Klein Community team. DonDee is a native of Birmingham, AL, and has an extensive employment history in non-profit administration, as well as years of experience in youth, children and adult teaching, pregnancy resources, food distribution and church office support. She received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Faulkner University and is planning to pursue completion of a master’s degree next year in social work from the University of Alabama.

In addition, DonDee is a successful business owner of Covenant Heating and Cooling, and the leader of Embrace Grace, a non-profit whose mission is to inspire and equip the church to love on single and pregnant young women and their families. Wife to Dewayne, and mama to Garth, Caleb and Hannah, DonDee is “superwoman” in disguise.

“I am honored to be serving full time on staff, using the gifts of administration and organization given to me by God in order to further His kingdom. I am humbled and grateful. And I am excited to introduce others to this life together. Let us gaze toward heaven as Stephen did, full of the Holy Spirit, as we introduce others to our Jesus and serve them as he modeled for us.”

FACILITY ASSISTANT

Melanie Weeks

Melanie serves as a stable and loyal support for Grace Klein Community leadership and staff through her giftings of organization and logistics as she aids with inflow and outflow of donations. Melanie’s first encounter with Grace Klein Community happened the Summer of 2017 via a simple Facebook post when she was looking for a way to share and love like Jesus. She jumped right in and helped in any way she could, having no idea that she would soon become a staff member.

Melanie and her husband have been married for 40 years. They have 33 year old twin boys, a beautiful daughter-in-law and a perfect grandson. Melanie feels blessed to have had a strong, resilient father and to spend her Thursdays with a prayer warrior of a mother. They taught her how serving others brings fulfillment and purpose to a life. Melanie spent many years professionally in the medical field and in several management capacities, but nothing brings her more joy than the opportunity to serve those around her.

Prior to joining the GKC staff she served with several different ministries, everything from event planning to children’s ministry, to praise and worship… wherever the Lord called her; and we are delighted the Lord called her here! Melanie appreciates the ever-changing landscape of the ministry. She thrives in this challenging atmosphere and has learned to rely on the Lord’s strength and timing more than her own.

“When I first arrived at the GKC office I did not know the world would face so many struggles in a short period of time, but it has brought to mind the verse that has carried me through so many of my own personal struggles:”

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” I am honored to be in the position to share the reality of Jesus with others.” – Psalm 91:4

SERVE TEAM AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Carla Phillips

Carla coordinates our many volunteers and serve teams which ensures Grace Klein Community operates efficiently. Whether a team of thirty landscaping at one of our community homes or a small group organizing our food shelves, she will be happily serving alongside our volunteers. During the Covid-19 season, Carla’s role shifted to Drive-Thru trainer, where she implements and trains new volunteers on a consistent food distribution drive thru process upholding the highest in CDC safety protocols.

A native of Birmingham, AL, Carla received her undergraduate and master’s degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from the University of Montevallo. She snagged her a Good Ole’ Boy from her hometown and has been happily married for 29 years to Doug Phillips. She is mother of two boys, Brooks and Tyler and two “dog”ters Sydney and Lucy.

Carla’s path to GKC took many roads. She began her career as a 3rd grade teacher at Central Park Christian School, and was promoted to her most important job, a “stay-at-home-mom” where she is blessed to have raised two upstanding young men. In 1995, she certified as a fitness instructor and successfully ran her own Jazzercise Fitness Center for 25 years. She continues to teach a couple of classes a week. Carla dabbled in retail sales and administrative work while looking for the perfect job fit… something meaningful, purposeful, enjoyable, a place she could look forward to each day. God led her to GKC.

“I am truly blessed to be a part of the GKC family. Each day I work with people I genuinely love and I am able to share food, friendship, advice, love and prayer. The best part is that I receive as much as I give. God strengthens me through those I meet. Sharing comes full circle. What a gift from God.”

DISPATCHER

Joline Galusha

Joline Galusha moved to Birmingham as teenager from Hawaii. After high school, she attended the University of Alabama Birmingham and graduated with a BA in Biology. She felt drawn to give back to the community that helped form my most important years. As a foster child, she was around all types of people that needed help. So when the opportunity presented itself, she found that God had led her to Grace Klein Community as a dispatcher, which gives her the opportunity to give back to Birmingham.  

Joline coordinates hundreds of deliveries each month, getting food to those who need it most, but who has the least access. Her heart for people is obvious every single day as she communicates with recipients and delivery drivers with compassion and skillful management of time and people. 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Jason Pugh

Growing up in Birmingham in a loving family and amazing church, Jason Pugh never would have conceived that he would spend the better part of 20 years without going to church, without having any relationship with God, and trying to do life on his own. During that time, he had a lot of ups and downs but mostly was in a backslide with his family and career.  

In 2013 he began going to church again and found something amazing that he was missing… Jesus. During the next couple of years he started turning his focus from himself to God and things started changing. His family started getting stronger as well as his need to help others. While he was serving as one of the Outreach Coordinators at Church of the Highlands, a friend told him that he needed to meet with Grace Klein Community and hear our vision. He left that meeting with such encouragement and love for what Grace Klein Community does.   

After three years of getting to know and serving with Grace Klein Community through Church of the Highlands, a new venture began and Jason is now working for GKC in Business Development and Office Support. He is proud to have himself, his wife, and his kids as part of the Grace Klein family. 

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even though youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faith.” – Isaiah 40:29 -31 

LOGISTICS

Joel and Gayle Gilbert

Joel and Gayle Gilbert provide logistical and organizational support to the Grace Klein Community Team. Joel, a retired computer systems analyst from Southern Company, coordinates GKC volunteer drivers for daily food pick-ups for the organization, while Gayle facilitates incoming and outgoing clothing donations, diaper support, hygiene products, school supplies, etc. for Birmingham families.

The Gilberts began serving with Grace Klein Community in 2012 and soon became the backbone of the non-profit. Projects that require faithful stewardship, patience and efficiency are skillfully handled by the Gilberts. Large-scale donations, like the ones related to our No More Safety Pins clothing event, thrive under their leadership. Long-term projects, like filling a shipping container bound for South Africa with library and music supplies after 5+ years of collection, organization, and packing, are successful because of the Gilberts’ steady, strong influence.

Joel and Gayle Gilbert have been married for 54 years. They have two sons, five beautiful grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7