Director of Operations

Meaghan Grider is first and foremost a "captive set free" from her own drug addiction, alcoholism, and codependency. She was the Global Pastor of Engagement at Saddleback Church and served on the National Team for Celebrate Recovery, which is a global ministry that has transformed millions of lives. Meaghan is a Bible Study author, teacher, and pastor and has been in vocational ministry for 30+ years. In the fall of 2024, she sensed God calling her to “GO” and take His message of hope, peace, and freedom out of the church and onto the frontlines. That’s how she fell in love with the vision of Northeast of the Well and is thrilled to be a part of this team.  She and her husband, Ken, have been married since 1992 and have four adult children.

Director of Outreach & Anti-Human Trafficking

Irma came to know NorthEast through a ministry partner where she has been attending for over 20 years. After hearing the team share about the ministry, she had a serious desire to be bold in God's prompting to go serve and teach others about the power of Christ's love. Despite a painful childhood upbringing involving addiction in the home, God has sustained Irma through her life. The goodness of God has continuously reminded her that she is His child and she has a desire to share that with others. She is a former Pre-K teacher, has been married to her husband, Thomas, for nearly three decades, and has two adult children. She stands on Isaiah 41:10 and Jeremiah 29:11.

Steps to Success Director & Los Angeles Lead

For years, Beyonka wrestled with perfectionism, people-pleasing, co-dependency and the lingering effects of childhood trauma. Though she accepted Christ at a young age, she struggled to fully surrender her life and often masked her pain behind outward success as a hairstylist for 25 years. In March 2022, she found hope and healing through Celebrate Recovery, where she began confronting deep hurts and learning to live authentically in Christ. During this season of transformation, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology with a minor in Biblical Studies from Biola University, graduating Cum Laude in 2024. With over 20 years of experience leading Bible studies, small healing/discipleship groups, and life skills training for youth and women, Beyonka felt called to Northeast of the Well, where her passion for restoration and advocacy continues to flourish.

She now walks alongside others as they find freedom and wholeness in Jesus.

Her life verse is Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless it is not I that live, but Christ that lives in me.”

Communications Manager & Grant Writer

At the heart of Elyssa’s life in ministry is a desire to help people understand the hope of Christ. For more than two decades, she and her husband have served in church leadership across the U.S. and internationally. She loves to share stories of impact, connect people to God’s work, and invite communities into serving those who are unseen and forgotten. Elyssa is committed to lifting up the vision of NorthEast of the Well with clarity and purpose, celebrating the incredible, life-changing work God is doing through this ministry and inviting others to encounter the transforming love of Jesus. One verse that has deeply impacted Elyssa is Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Special Events Coordinator

Devan’s early exposure to drugs and alcohol led to years of childhood trauma and eventually her own struggles with addiction and an eating disorder. After losing her sister to alcoholism in 2021, she could no longer ignore her own need for healing.

At the end of that year, Devan encountered Christ in a life-changing way, surrendering her life and paving the way to step into sobriety and restoration. She was introduced to Northeast of the Well through her local church, where she began serving in Bible studies while continuing her recovery journey.

Now, as Special Events Coordinator, Devan brings together her passion for recovery, her heart for people, and her love for Christ. She lives anchored in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” and is committed to helping others experience the same freedom and transformation she has found.

Donor Development

Ray grew up in Orange County with a deep heart for service and a desire to see God’s love expressed in tangible ways within her community. From an early age, she was drawn to opportunities that allowed her to serve others, believing that faith is meant to be lived out through action, compassion, and presence.

In the summer of 2025, Ray was introduced to Northeast of the Well through Rock Harbor Church. What began as an introduction quickly became a meaningful connection, as she resonated with the organization’s mission to reach and serve the most marginalized communities throughout Orange County and Los Angeles. She was especially impacted by the commitment to show up consistently, build genuine relationships, and bring hope into some of the hardest places.

Ray sees her role as both a calling and a privilege to serve those in need, recognizing the dignity and value in every person. One passage that continues to shape her perspective is Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Newport Lead, Teaching Associate & Steps to Success Coordinator

Ryann struggled with an eating disorder and addiction to drugs and alcohol for 11 years. Finally, after years of hopelessness and pain, she was led to a program called Teen Challenge. It was here that all the hurt and emptiness faded away as she was filled with the real love of Jesus for the first time in her life. Ryann completed the year-long program at Ventura Teen Challenge. Wanting to further her walk with Jesus, she enrolled in their Ministry Institute. It was here that she got her first taste of NorthEast of the Well by volunteering at weekly gatherings. God continued to fill her with a passion to seek and save the lost. After graduating from the Ministry Institute, Ryann was hired at the very place God used to save her life. For two years, she worked at Ventura Teen Challenge as a teacher and advisor, gently guiding the women and showing them the heart of Jesus. She decided to take the next step in her journey with the Lord by joining NorthEast of the Well as a teacher. Today, Ryann celebrates 4 years of sobriety and her passion for leading and teaching the broken, the lost, and “the outcast” all about Jesus only burns brighter. 

Teaching Associate

Michelle lived most of her life trying to find something that could fill the void she had in her heart, which led her down a path of drugs and alcohol addiction at 14 years old. It wasn’t until she accepted an invitation to church in 2019 that she felt the love of God for the first time in her adult life. This made a forever impression that saved her life and she celebrated 6 years of sobriety in May 2026. Michelle grew up without a relationship with Christ, and today it’s the most precious, loving relationship. She feels called to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving the community and meeting others with God’s love.

Worship & Creative Lead

After six years of fighting a meth and heroin addiction, Freddy was ready to give everything to God and was led to the doors of Teen Challenge Orange County. Once he finished his time at TCOC, he wanted to dive deeper into his walk and continued to the TC Ministry Institute where he was introduced to NorthEast of the Well. He was pulled into what the ministry was about and all He could think was, “How can I be a part of this?” The mission of NorthEast aligned with his desire to go to the places that no one else was even thinking about. He started by engaging with our community and leading worship as a volunteer at our gatherings. Today, Freddy celebrates over five years of sobriety and joined the staff as a Creative Lead & Worship Associate.

Operations & Fleet Manager

Nick was lost in addictions to heroin, meth, cocaine, Xanax, and alcohol. He did what he wanted when he wanted with no regard for anyone else. Nick was controlled by his desire for drugs, and his mess of a life caused much desperation, hurt, and loneliness. This lifestyle of sin eventually led him to the doors of Teen Challenge. There, he had a radical encounter with Jesus that forever turned his heart of stone to a heart of flesh. In Christ, he found fulfillment. After graduating from Teen Challenge, he had the opportunity to intern at NorthEast of the Well. Nick went on to study the Bible at the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute. Today, he serves as a full-time staff member on NorthEast's teaching and outreach teams.

Nick stands on the verse, “Let your roots grow down into him and let your lives be built on Him, then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:7).

Worship Associate

Michael was introduced to Northeast of the Well by a close friend he serves alongside in ministry. He was immediately drawn to the heart and mission of Northeast, as he had once been impacted by similar ministries during his own struggles with addiction and depression.

Michael’s life is deeply inspired by the story of Peter—who, after denying Jesus, was later restored by Him. When given the chance to reconcile, Jesus simply told Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep.”

Now, Michael lives with that same calling. His mission is to serve his community and share the love of God—the same relentless love that pursued and transformed his own life.

Executive Support

Sarah struggled with a drug addiction for 14 years, lost custody of two children, and was in and out of jail/prison and multiple recovery homes. While in a county recovery program, NorthEast brought a Bible study and introduced her to Jesus Christ. She began a relationship with Him, and built a foundation she is still standing on 15 years later. Sarah has been on the Jail to Jerusalem trip twice and has been equipped to teach the Word of God. She knew way back in 2011 that God had called her to NorthEast of the Well! She quotes Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Operations Assistant

At a young age, Briona was exposed to drug use, crime, and prostitution. Most of her teen years were spent in and out of juvenile detention centers and drug and alcohol treatment programs. She started working the streets of Los Angeles, and eventually lost custody of her three children. In 2020, Briona felt lost and broken. She was in and out of extremely toxic, abusive relationships, and tormented by guilt and shame. When she became pregnant a fourth time, Briona knew something had to change. At a church service in 2021, Briona accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. This led her to seek treatment at Vera’s Sanctuary where she met team members from NorthEast of the Well at a Bible study. She moved to Prototypes, a reunification program for women getting their children back, and NorthEast continued to pour into her. Since then, Briona has been putting one foot in front of the other on the path God set before her. She has been clean for 4 years, has full custody of her youngest son, and God has restored her relationships with her other children. Her verse for this year is Joel 2:25 , “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten.”

Outreach Manager

Lisa is living, walking proof of the Lord working in her life. Prior to receiving Jesus, Lisa's life was plagued by a 20-year meth and alcohol addiction that led to homelessness, crime, and time in jail and prison. Lisa met NorthEast when they brought a Bible study to the sober living home where she was staying. Later, while working at a drug rehab in Costa Mesa, she found herself at the gas station across from their office. Recognizing their sign, Lisa invited them to bring a Bible study to the rehab where she was working, already an advocate for the ministry! Lisa joined the NorthEast staff in 2022 and wants to help those who are in the shoes she once walked in; to those who want it. The scripture she stands on is John 15:16-17: "This is my command: Love each other.”

Outreach Team Associate

Three years ago, Bee was facing 40 years across two counties, with a federal indictment closing in due to a life of gang involvement, drug dealing, substance abuse, and manipulation. He found himself in jail broken, exhausted, and hopeless—until he fully surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.

From that moment, everything began to change. God moved powerfully in Bee’s life, even working through judges and attorneys. In October 2023, he was ordered into a one-year faith-based program at Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating in September 2024, he chose to stay another year to complete the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute.

During that time, God clearly revealed that NorthEast of the Well is where Bee was called to serve. Today, he faithfully serves on the team with a deep sense of purpose, bringing hope to those walking through addiction, brokenness, and life transition—just as he once was. It is both an honor and a joy for him to come alongside others, pouring into lives and advancing God’s Kingdom. Bee’s life now stands as a testimony of true transformation—from one glory to another, all for the glory of God.

Children’s Ministry Associate

Pachi came to NorthEast of the Well in 2010 when it was still a grassroots ministry holding Bible studies in living rooms. Born in Brazil to a poor, broken family with an abusive alcoholic father, Pachi was five years old when her mom escaped the relationship and worked hard to provide for her. A few years later, her father took his own life. Struggling with the weight of trauma, Pachi met the wrong crowd and started using drugs from acid and pot to cocaine. In desperation, she planned to take her own life when Jesus intervened through a man who shared God’s love for her. She accepted Christ in 1993. Pachi soon attended Bible college and began her work with street kids and prostitutes in Sao Paolo. Today, Pachi works in children’s ministry and has a passion to raise up children who know the intimate name of Jesus. Her life verse is Job 42: 5-6: “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.”

Children’s Ministry & Worship Support

Jessy’s faith journey began as a child when she started attending church with her siblings. From a young age, she loved learning about Jesus, reading the Bible, and praying. She prayed for her father’s freedom from alcoholism, and later witnessed God transform his life and restore her family.

Jessy has spent more than 20 years serving God and others. After experiencing spiritual and emotional abuse in a religious cult for 14 years, she found healing, freedom, and hope through a healthy church community.

Today, Jessy has a heart for people who are hurting and believes God brings healing to the brokenhearted. Her desire is to love God, love others, and serve wherever God leads her.