About us

The Guidelight’s Board of Directors is fully engaged in our mission of pursuing Christ-centered transformation in the lives of people impacted by disability. Our strategy is to proclaim biblical truth and provide needed resources to those we serve in North America and around the world.

Each board member volunteers their time to apply their gifting, skills, and passions to build and maintain a comprehensive strategy that propels our growth and increases our effectiveness. We are grateful for this group of godly and wise people.

Board of Directors

  • James Dirksen

    James Dirksen is a career businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Solutional, Inc. James, his wife, Dana, and their 6 children live in Lake Oswego, OR. They both have a great love for ministering to children. James is the Chairman of the Board.

  • Jason Hartung

    Jason Hartung is the Chief Financial Officer of Children’s Hunger Fund. Jason and Mary are the proud parents to four beautiful children. Their youngest child, Tyler, has multiple disabilities. The Hartung family is an ardent supporter of disability outreach and the Mission of Guidelight. Jason provides financial oversight of Guidelight and is the acting Secretary.

  • Mark Golike

    Mark works as a business executive and also has years of experience in youth work, along with his wife, Rachel. The couple’s journey with Guidelight began as volunteers at a family retreat, an experience that oriented their hearts to those with disability. Mark and Rachel live in Everett, Washington with their two children, Penny and Liam and care for Mark’s father following an accident that left him with new needs.

  • Justin Reimer

    Justin and Tamara Reimer founded Guidelight, formerly The Elisha Foundation, in 2005. Justin and Tamara are the proud parents of five beautiful children, the eldest (Elisha) has Down Syndrome. The Reimer’s want to see Christ made much of through and in disability. Justin serves as Founder & President.

Staff

The Reimer Family

Justin and Tamara are the proud parents of five children (Elisha, Noelle, Abram, Evangeline, and Naomi). Elisha has Down Syndrome. It was through their experience raising Elisha that Guidelight was founded in 2005 as a means of outreach and care for families of children with special needs.

The Hamilton Family

Sevrin and Megan joined forces in 2005 and God has richly blessed them with three beautiful children. Their youngest son was born with Down syndrome, and despite the sadness that disability brings, a deep abiding joy has grown and flourished. Amidst disability, the Hamilton family has found grace to embrace the beautiful yet broken reality of all our lives. Sevrin and Megan were introduced to Guidelight shortly before their son was born and the ministry has been a great comfort and support to them. Sevrin joined Guidelight after nearly 15 years in Christian education and pastoral ministry. He now serves as the Program Manager, running Guidelight’s Family Retreats and Disability Trainings. They feel honored to share with others impacted by disability the living hope they’ve found in Christ. Meet the Hamilton family.

The Waldecks

Dan Waldeck serves as the Director of Development for Guidelight. Dan’s experience is heavily integrated with serving people. While beginning his professional work experience in financial services, he spent 26 years as a collegiate basketball coach, and the last few years working as a mortgage broker. 

Dan and his family relocated to Idaho in 2021, where they have enjoyed their new church family and friends.  He and his wife Cindy live in Meridian with their youngest daughter, Braelyn, who is pursuing a career in cosmetology. Cindy works as a special education teacher for West Ada Country, while their oldest daughter, Tori, plays collegiate soccer in southern California. 

The Wicks

Chris and Ashley Wick have been married since 1999 and have been blessed with four wonderful children (Tahlia, Mikaela, Braden, & Karsten). They have lived in Slovenia since 2012, spending ten years working with local churches to help reach next generation youth with the hope of Christ. For many years the Wick family has been uniquely involved with Guidelight, and in 2022 Chris began serving as Guidelight’s Program Director for Eurasia. The Wick family now partners with local churches to minister among the special needs community in Slovenia, and beyond.