A former counselor, Melody was thrust into disturbing end of life issues by an emergency Guardianship and Conservatorship of her father. She realized many of her family’s difficulties could have been avoided with more extensive pre-planning on the part of her parents. Subsequently, it became Melody’s passion to help people organize their affairs so that their families could honor them. In 2011, Melody joined Lois Williams, Larry Ayers and Scott Stuart, and the four of them founded HERITAGE OF HOPE.
Although an industrial engineer and teacher, Lisa discovered a passion for videography and the way it captures story and impacts lives. She especially enjoys artistically preserving the heritage of individuals. Resonating with the mission of HERITAGE OF HOPE, Lisa creatively edited a three year collection of interviews, panel discussions, and presentations to create our Heritage of Hope video series, and she also formatted our HOH Workbook.
A unique ability to foresee and prevent operational difficulties makes Bev instrumental to the administration of HERITAGE OF HOPE and the success of every event. Her ability to engage the skills and contributions of others has greatly expanded the scope of HOH and the resources now listed in our website links. Bev’s organizational wizardry has served numerous ministries and non-profits, both local and national, on a volunteer basis as well as in a professional capacity.
An extensive background in international logistics has not diminished the value Dan places on individuals and their importance in God’s economy. Dan serves HERITAGE OF HOPE by keeping all of our accounts up to date and balanced. In addition, Dan has enjoyed “banging trays” at the Portland Rescue Mission, and rebuilding donated bikes for distribution through LOVE Inc out of Oregon City. More recently, he enjoyed facilitating numerous activities for young people at Camp Hope in WA.
New to our board in 2018, Dave has supported HERITAGE OF HOPE since its inception as a presenter in our Home Free session. After Dave retired as Asst. Chief of Police in Portland, he founded a non-profit ministering to First Responders and their families, www.ResponderLife.org. Underlying these outreaches to community has been his ministry of leadership as an elder at Good Shepherd Community Church.
The Advance Directive of Scott’s father instigated a major conflict between medical personnel and his sons. Scott’s story of teaming up with his brothers to rescue their dad gives us all reason to re-think our 4th quarter plans and legal documents very carefully. Scott’s passion to help others FINISH THIS LIFE WELL is evidenced in how he has faithfully taught Financial Peace University, and the eleven years he’s invested in HERITAGE OF HOPE. Scott served as the MC of numerous HOH events, led many groups through our HOH Video Series, and he’s introduced our ministry to the Pacific Northwest church community.
An unfading love of children motivated Lois’ potent teaching career. Her compassion, however, extended to all generations. It was Lois’ enthusiastic vision that spearheaded the initial Heritage of Hope Conference in 2012. After we became a Non-Profit Organization, Lois served as HOH Secretary 2015-2017. Lois’ leadership skills have borne fruit in the coordination of numerous other ministries both as a volunteer and as church staff. Within HERITAGE OF HOPE, however, Lois Williams is remembered for her emphasis upon story as the means by which we touch one another’s hearts.
Larry was an educator who lived what he taught whether that was a HERITAGE OF HOPE workshop or seminary classes. He served as a teacher, the seasoned principal of a Portland inner city school, a professor at Multnomah University, and acted as president of Western Seminary for a season. Larry’s administrative background and board experience was instrumental in the founding of HERITAGE OF HOPE. We miss his encouraging words such as, “Aging is just one transition after another.”
Although Bill is a business person, his passion seems to be discovering and preserving not only his own family heritage but encouraging others to do so as well. The Heritage section of our HERITAGE OF HOPE Workbook is primarily authored by him, and the Heritage Video will give you face time with Bill as well. Before you venture forth in genealogical research, do listen to Bill’s input to save yourself much time and grief.
OUR MISSION
Heritage of Hope inspires and equips adults of all ages
To identify crucial decisions and complete the essential tasks
To Finish Life Well
OUR ORIGINS
In response to the difficult journeys of their own parents, Melody Miller, Scott Stuart, and Lois Williams met together with Larry Ayers and other church leaders with concerns about older adults. Animated discussion, prayer, research, more prayer, diverse gifting, team work, still more prayer, as well as pastoral support all contributed to the surprising launch of this ministry.
OUR STATUS
Today, Heritage of Hope is a non-profit incorporated in Oregon but serving in multiple states. We have board members in Colorado, Texas and Oregon. Our HERITAGE OF HOPE VIDEO SERIES and HOH WORKBOOK have been effectively used by large churches, small groups, families and individuals. All Heritage of Hope materials are available via this website’s Store & Giveaway Page. HOH materials are minimally priced to cover our production and operating expenses as a Christian non-profit. Contributions are tax deductible and very much appreciated as a means of keeping our materials affordable. For income tax purposes, the Heritage of Hope federal tax ID number is 47-3889216. You may donate HERE by mail or by credit card. Thank you for your interest and support.
OUR HISTORY
In 2011, we first conducted a series of pilot workshops advocating estate planning, planning your own memorial service, adopting a biblical attitude about aging, and family meetings. The favorable response made it apparent we had identified topics of vital interest to seniors and their families. Event coordinator Bev Alley joined our team in 2012 and hosted a church wide conference with three plenary speakers, seven workshops and a workbook. Again, attendees and presenters responded enthusiastically. We discovered a broader audience than our own church and identified still more community resources. A lively series of panel discussions in 2013 showcased additional expertise from the Portland community. Since videographer Lisa Clear had joined our team, we videotaped these events. Family historian Bill Leslie and logistics expert Dan Miller enlarged our team’s skill set still further. Next, we adopted a logo with digital appeal for our brochures, workbooks, and a banner as well. The six part Heritage of Hope series was then presented to a live audience and filmed against the backdrop of our Heritage of Hope banner. In August of 2014, the eight member Heritage of Hope team convened. We reviewed and adopted by-laws and articles of incorporation, elected officers, and cast our vision as a Christian non-profit organization. Kent Shorthill, a visiting consultant, quipped, “Most non-profits would kill to have a board like this!” In 2015, we achieved our non-profit status as a 501(C)3 thanks to Larry Ayers and Dan Miller. In addition, Lisa Clear created the instructive Video Series that coordinates with the Heritage of Hope Workbook compiled by Melody Miller.
Thanks to the technical expertise of Dakota Miller, this website was created in 2016. By means of our Store/Giveaway Page, Heritage of Hope materials can be distributed and supported anywhere in the US, anytime. Our bi-weekly blog, THE FINISH LINE, was launched in 2018. Its purpose is to encourage HOH Alumni to implement the HOH Checklist featured in their Workbooks. THE FINISH LINE shares resources, book and movie reviews, biblical insights, and inspiring stories. Do join our “online community” by signing up at the bottom of this page. For those who wish to host the HOH Video series in their own communities, FACILITATOR TRAINING VIDEOS are available at no charge on our Store/Giveaways Page. We invite you to use any or all of these Heritage of Hope resources to set your household in order (2 Kings 20:1).
OUR PRAYER
Father, we pray that each and everyone of us who has invited You into our lives (Revelation 3:20) would become as bold and courageous as was Joshua (Joshua 1:8-9). Since you have given us forgiveness of our sins (I John 1:9) and eternal life with You (John 3:16, John 17:3), may we set aside our fear of death to become your true disciples. Give us the courage we need to pick up our own crosses (Matthew 10:38), whatever they may be, and follow You.
Whether we are coming home to You, going to war, or starting a family, we ask that you give us fearless wisdom and insight to first get our affairs in order (Isaiah 38:1). May we take stock of our “flocks and herds” (Proverbs 27:23-27) and see to the welfare of our loved ones. We ask that our HERITAGE OF HOPE efforts not only provide for our dependents but also protect them from unnecessary troubles. May we also comfort and guide them with words of instruction, blessing and grace given to us by You. Most importantly, may your Holy Spirit craft the words of our testimonies (Revelation 12:11), that those who hear them may grasp that You are indeed, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
May our lives, our end of this life preparations, and our memorial services draw all those we know and love into your family to become our brothers and sisters (Mark 3:35, Matthew 12:50). We have no power over life and death, but we know whom we have believed (2 Timothy 1:12). Replace our fear with faith in You and your promises. May our hope in You permeate everything we say and do. Empower the words of our testimony (Revelation 12:11) to reveal your love to all who hear them. In our lives, in our testimonies, and in our deaths, may You be lifted up so that our dear ones will receive from us a HERITAGE OF HOPE, life eternal with You and our Father. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.