Sorta-Leaders Who Are
Really Followers – of the King...
Our Volunteer Leadership
BLEND team members are not paid for their work. Instead of earning a paycheck, they serve entirely out of love for others and obedience to God’s commands in the Holy Bible.
Sandie Beauchemin, Director of ESL Placement and Board Member
I am originally from California and have been married to my husband for 52 years. We have two married sons and four grandchildren. I have a BA in Social Sciences and a Masters degree in Special Education. I have been involved in Bible Study Fellowship for 40+ years including time as a discussion leader, children’s leader and teaching leader. I have previously taught and opened new programs for students with autism. One of my great desires after I became a believer as an adult was to meet people from other cultures and share the love of Jesus with them. I consider it such a privilege to be teaching in the BLEND ESL program and being able to spend time with our students.
Sam Capitano, Founding Board Member (Emeritus)
Sam is Assistant Pastor of Congregational Life at New Life in Christ Church (Fredericksburg, VA). He and his wife Lisa have been married for 31 years (and counting) and are parents of six children and ten grandchildren (and counting)! In addition to teaching, preaching, counseling, training, administration, project management, and other duties as assigned, he has a heart for biblical counseling.
Jonathan Crook, Founding Board Member
Since encountering God’s love as a young adult, I have had a passion for sharing this love with others, especially with people from other cultures. I am currently employed as an engineer with the US Navy and eventually plan to work professionally in a cross-cultural setting. I desire to see BLEND have a far-reaching and transformative impact in lives of people from the many cultures represented in the greater Fredericksburg area. In serving with the board, my goal is to support the vision of BLEND through hands-on service and creative problem solvingl
Greg Fletcher, Founding Board Member
A native of Virginia and elder at Craig's Baptist Church, Greg has worked in Japan and Australia. He now works as a liaison helping church leaders send cross-cultural workers well.
Ricky Jones, Founding Board Member
My immediate focus is assisting in the development of our organizational framework, ensuring BLEND will thrive for years to come. I’m also excited to support our Mission & Vision by actively serving as a Welcome Family. By God’s grace, I hold professional certifications in Information Technology and a Masters of Management w/concentration in Organizational Leadership. I served in the US Navy and am currently employed by Parsons Corporation as a Senior Systems Engineer, supporting the Space & Geospatial business sector. I have been married for 20+ years to my high-school sweetheart, Esther. We have been blessed to raise six children and worship at New City Fellowship. We enjoy spontaneous adventures, playing Catan and pretending to be Foodies. We are also privileged to support unaccompanied immigrant children by providing temporary Transitional Foster Care. I also enjoy coaching basketball with Fredericksburg Victory Athletic Association and serving at Open Hand of Fredericksburg as a mentor to under-resourced youth. My life’s purpose is to reflect the faithfulness, mercy and justice of God in my community. Serving on the BLEND board is one mechanism to live out that purpose in seeking the welfare of the city that God has placed me in.
Cheryl M, Director of ESL Publicity
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David Preut, Director of Prayer
David grew up overseas, spending over a decade living in Mexico and China. In his professional life he has years of experience in administration and team management. Since 2017, he has co-owned two local business ventures. He and his wife have four children together and live in the Fredericksburg, VA area. David's passions lie in leveraging commerce for the kingdom and helping restless hearts (particularly those of the stranger and visitor) find rest in a good Father.
Debra Smith, Founder & President
Debra grew up in Memphis, TN, using every available opportunity to explore Central America, Asia, and the Pacific while impatiently biding time till she could launch overseas. After a bachelors in Biblical Studies, Greek, and Linguistics, she moved to Afghanistan in 2005. Initially hired to teach ESL at an international school, her side gigs soon included coffee shop barista, church youth group director, and high school speech and PE/health teacher. Then in 2008 she visited family in Virginia – and to her own surprise, never left! These years have included writing and copy editing for a Christian magazine, freelancing, and now launching BLEND as a multi-church effort to share God’s love, mercy, and truth.