Chris joined the Ruth Harbor staff as our third-ever executive director in 2022. Chris is a lifelong Iowa and Ankeny native with a 30-year history of serving on the pastoral staff of Grace Church in Des Moines and First Family Church in Ankeny. Before joining Ruth Harbor, Chris served as associate executive director of the Baptist Convention of Iowa. Chris is married to Chris (yes, Chris & Chris), and together they have three adult children and one grandchild. Chris enjoys reading history and apologetics, writing, and teaching.

Aimee joined Ruth Harbor as the Office Manager in January 2018 and now serves as Administrative Director. In this role she oversees the front-office operations, supports the Executive Director and staff team, manages fundraising events and develops/oversees Ruth Harbor's volunteer program. Aimee and her husband, Derek, love spending time to their three grown children anytime they have the opportunity. Aimee also enjoys baking, reading, and playing pickleball.

Mark served as Ruth Harbor’s Executive Director from 2002-2022. In April 2023, he started as Development Director. Prior to Ruth Harbor, Mark managed the non-profit GuideOne Foundation. His varied background also includes athletic director, instructor, and marketing communications. Mark’s BA is from Cedarville University. Mark and his wife, Deb, have three grown children and five grandchildren. He loves to invest in others in order to see them grow and enjoys his role on a recreational soccer team.

Adam and Julia became part of the Ruth Harbor team in 2024, taking on the role of House Parents in Des Moines, IA. Together, they lead the Mother-Child home. Adam and Julia have two young children, Mariah and Micah, and are thrilled to serve the Lord and support the women at Ruth Harbor as a family. They cherish spending time with loved ones, taking walks (especially to the park), riding bikes, exploring new restaurants and recipes, and enjoying peaceful days at home. Adam has a passion for the outdoors, hunting, smoking meats, and playing guitar, while Julia enjoys having one-on-one conversations with a latte in hand, going on new adventures with the kids, and creating cozy, inviting spaces through interior design. Adam and Julia are eager for what God has planned for them at Ruth Harbor and feel that He has been intentionally preparing them for this role in recent years.

Lexi started as Ruth Harbor’s Administrative Assistant in April 2025. Her responsibilities are varied, relating to account receivables, database management, volunteer oversight, as well as event and administrative support. Lexi grew up in rural Illinois and spent some time in Lakeland, FL before moving to Iowa to study at Faith Baptist Bible College. During her time at Faith, she had the opportunity to spend a year in Lima, Peru, for an internship as part of her her B.A. in World Missions. Lexi enjoys doing anything hospitality-related with her husband, Ben, as well as reading, eating, singing, and spending time outside.

Amanda joined the Ruth Harbor team as Life Coach in 2019 and now serves as Family Care Advocate. In her new role she works with former RHM residents in collaboration with Sara to offer ongoing support for our alumnae. Together they organize community gatherings with other moms as well as provide assistance with problems that arise. They are committed to reassuring our moms that they are not alone! Amanda and her husband have been married for 30 years. They have five children, two of whom are adopted, and they are former foster parents. Amanda enjoys listening to podcasts, and reading and listening to classic books.

Sara joined the Ruth Harbor team as Family Care Director in October 2022 and now serves as Family Care Director. She has an M.A. in Human Services and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. In her role, Sara oversees our Family Care Program which specifically seeks to engage the local church in offering group events for former residents of RHM. Nurturing community opportunities is powerful and a key component to the success of our moms, and Sara is committed to advocating and supporting each one's unique and individual needs. Sara delights in empowering women to discover their value, voice, and worth. Her hobbies include training her dog Saylor, competing in various canine sports, reading, and gardening.

Beth joined Ruth Harbor as our Life Coach in early 2024. She helps our moms with life skills such as job searches, paperwork, and finding resources. A lifelong Des Moines resident, Beth has worked in office management, dental offices, and insurance. She enjoys doing Bible studies with women and is a volunteer at Polk County Jail. In her free time, she enjoys being outside and active - whether that is horseback riding, gardening, biking, hiking, or swimming with her grandchildren. She is also a student of history and enjoys reading and visiting new places.

Faith joined Ruth Harbor in July 2024 and is currently operating as Program Support Specialist. In this role, she works directly with women in the interview and application process before they come into the RH program. She is excited to share the hope and love of Christ with women who are reaching out to Ruth Harbor. Growing up as a missionary kid in Southwest Alaska helped her develop a passion for ministry. This led her to Faith Baptist Bible College, where she pursued Office Administration and discovered her calling for full-time ministry work. Recently she married James Busenitz. In her free time, Faith enjoys running and fostering her house plant collection.